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Film and television writer, director, and actor Garry Marshall died Tuesday at age 81, his publicist confirmed.

Marshall died at 5 p.m. at a hospital in Burbank from complications of pneumonia following a stroke, according to Michelle Bega, a vice president with Rogers & Cowan.

Marshall created the hit 1970s ABC comedies “Happy Days,” “Laverne & Shirley” and “Mork & Mindy.” He directed 18 films, including “Pretty Woman” and “The Princess Diaries.”

Marshall recently completed a rewrite of the book for the Broadway-bound musical version of “Pretty Woman.”

Marshall appeared in “A League of Their Own,” directed by his sister Penny, and had a recurring role on the 1990s CBS comedy “Murphy Brown.” He portrayed the father of Oscar Madison (Matthew Perry) in an episode of “The Odd Couple” which aired on April 28.

In addition to his sister, Marshall is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Sue Marshall; another sister, Ronny Hallin; three children, Kathleen, Lori and Scott Marshall; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private but a memorial is being planned for his birthday on Nov. 13.

— City News Service

Famed ‘Happy Days’ Director Garry Marshall Dead at 81 was last modified: by

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