Happy Birthday, Penny Marshall! Born today in 1943 as Carole Penny Marsciarelli, this American actress, producer and director was one of the first women to achieve consistent commercial success as a motion picture director.
Born in the Bronx, New York City, New York, Marshall was a daughter to Marjorie Irene an American tap dance teacher and Anthony "Tony" Masciarelli, an American director of industrial films and later a producer.
Marshall was the sister of American film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor Garry Marshall ('Pretty Woman') and American television producer Ronny Hallin.
Marshall's birth name, Carole, was selected because her mother's favorite star was American film actress Carole Lombard.
Marshall's middle name was selected because her older sister Ronny, wanting a horse in the Bronx, was saving her pennies; her mother chose the middle name in an attempt to console her.
During this time, Marshall's father changed his last name from Masciarelli to Marshall before his daughter was born.
Marshall grew up in a building of which had also been the childhood home of Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren American playwright, screenwriter and author Neil Simon, and American playwright, screenwriter and novelist Paddy Chayefsky.
Marshall began her career as a tap dancer at age three, and later taught tap at her mother's dance school.
Years later, she graduated from Walton High School, a public girls' high school in New York. She then went to University of New Mexico for two and a half years where she studied math and psychology.
While at UNM, Marshall became pregnant with daughter American actress Tracy Reiner, and soon after married the father, a football player Michael Henry, in 1963 at the age of twenty.
During this period, Marshall worked various jobs to support herself, including working as a choreographer for the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera Association.
In 1967, Marshall moved to Los Angeles, California to join her older brother Garry, a writer whose credits at the time included the American black and white television sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966).
In 1971, Marshall married Rob Reiner, who later adopted Tracy. Reiner's father, Carl, had created The Dick Van Dyke Show, and had also played Alan Brady on the program.
At the encouragement of her older brother Garry, Marshall became interested in directing.
While starring on the American television sitcom Laverne & Shirley (1976–1983) as Laverne DeFazio, she made her debut as a director and directed four episodes of that show, as well as other television assignments as well.
In 1979, she directed several episodes of the short-lived American television sitcom "Working Stiffs" (September 15, 1979–October 20, 1979), starring Michael Keaton and James Belushi. However, the show only ran for one season.
In 1981, Marshall's marriage to Reiner had ended after one decade. The couple eventually had five grandchildren together.
In the mid-1980s, Marshall later had a brief relationship with Art Garfunkel, and he credits her with helping him through his depression.
Marshall soon moved on to theatrical films, her directorial debut, being the 1986 American comedy thriller/action film 'Jumpin' Jack Flash', starring Whoopi Goldberg.
Marshall got the gig when the original director dropped out. She also gave her daughter Tracy and her brother Garry roles in the film.
Marshall later directed several successful feature films from the mid-1980s onwards. Most notably, this included directing the film of which she is best known. This was the 1988 American fantasy comedy-drama film 'Big', starring Tom Hanks.
The film had been co-produced by James L. Brooks ('Terms of Endearment', 'Broadcast News').
Upon release, 'Big' was met with wide critical acclaim, particularly for Hanks' performance.
On a budget of $18 million, the film definitely turned out a big profit by grossing $151.7 million at the box office worldwide. This was also the first film directed by a woman to gross over $150 million.
The following year, 'Big' was nominated two Oscars for Best Actor (Tom Hanks) and Best Screenplay. However, the film won none of these. This occurred at the 61st Academy Awards in late March 1989.
The following year, Marshall provided a guest-starring voice for The Simpsons (1989–present). This was of Lucille Botzcowski (also known as Miss Botz and the "Babysitter Bandit") for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening" (S1E13). Marshall was the first-ever guest star to appear on the show.
Three years later, Marshall made a cameo appearance in the 1993 American comedy/horror film 'Hocus Pocus'. This was alongside her older brother Garry Marshall ('Pretty Woman).
Although uncredited, she is credited on IMDb as The Master's Wife. It was Garry's devil costume in the film that fools the Sanderson sisters into mistaking him for The Master.
In 2010, it was reported that Marshall had been diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain, but two years later she was 'fine now'.
In 2012, 'A League of Their Own' was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
For her contribution to the film and television industry, Marshall received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard.
Six years later, Marshall passed in Los Angeles, California on December 17, 2018. She was 75.
According to her death certificate, the causes were due to cardiopulmonary failure, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 1.
Marshall is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills). The 'L' from her Laverne character is emblazoned at the bottom of her headstone.
Ron Howard, her onetime co-star, and like her an actor who went on to become a celebrated film director, stated the following on Twitter:
"She was funny & so smart. She made the transition from sitcom star to A List movie director with ease & had a major impact on both media. All that & always relaxed, funny & totally unpretentious. I was lucky to have known & worked with her."
The day after Marshall's death, Laverne & Shirley co-star, American actress Cindy Williams, shared a message on Twitter, simply stating: “I Love You, Partner.” Underneath the one line of text was the image of a familiar, cursive 'L' initial.
During the series' run, Marshall had the wardrobe department sew the 'L' on most of her character Laverne's blouses and sweaters.
Among her credits, Marshall is also known for directing 'Awakenings' (1990), 'A League of Their Own' (1992), 'Renaissance Man' (1994), 'The Preacher's Wife' (1996), and 'Riding in Cars with Boys' (2001). She also produced 'Cinderella Man' (2005) and 'Bewitched' (2005).
For television, Marshall directed episodes of the American sitcom television series According to Jim (2001–2009 and starring Jim Belushi) and the American television comedy-drama United States of Tara (2009–2011).
For Laverne & Shirley, Marshall had received three nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy for her portrayal.
On AFI's 100 Years...100 Quotes list, "There's no crying in baseball!" ranked in at #54.
Marshall's daughter Tracy is known for her roles in 'When Harry Met Sally' (directed by her father Rob), 'Masque of the Red Death' (1989), 'A League of Their Own' (1992), and 'Apollo 13' (1995).
Instantly recognizable for her cute overbite, raucous voice, and broad Bronx accent, Marshall successfully made the transition from popular comic actress to a respected director and producer of popular mainstream feature films.
From an "L" on her shirt to an A-list director, Marshall continues to always live on with her female fans.
Marshall had been active from 1968–2018.
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