Film- en tv-icoon Penny Marshall is op 75-jarige leeftijd overleden aan de gevolgen van diabetes. Eerder werd er al hersen- en longkanker bij haar vastgesteld.

Marshall werd bekend dankzij de tv-serie Laverne & Shirley, een spin-off van Happy Days, waarin ze acht seizoenen lang het personage Laverne DeFazio speelde.

Ze regissseerde ook enkele afleveringen en zette daarna de stap naar het grote scherm met de Whoopi Goldberg-komedie Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

Daarna scoorde ze een box-office-hit met Big waarin Tom Hanks een jongetje in het lichaam van een volwassen man speelt. Het was de eerste film van een vrouwelijke regisseur die meer dan 100 miljoen dollar binnenhaalde in de VS.

Ook met haar derde langspeler Awakenings schreef Marshall geschiedenis. Het drama met Robert De Niro was de tweede film van een vrouwelijke regisseur die een Oscarnominatie voor beste film kreeg.

Later werkte Marshall opnieuw samen met Hanks aan A League of Their Own en regisseerde ze Renaissance Man, The Preacher’s Wife en Riding in Cars with Boys.

Marshalls dood weekte heel wat emoties los in Hollywood. Een greep uit de reacties:

https://twitter.com/ava/status/1075107218758918144

#RIPPennyMarshall 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 mediums. All that & always relaxed, funny & totally unpretentious. I was lucky to have known & worked with her. https://t.co/pf2kfIkCH4

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) December 18, 2018

So sad about Penny.

— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) December 18, 2018

I loved Penny. I grew up with her. She was born with a great gift. She was born with a funnybone and the instinct of how to use it. I was very lucky to have lived with her and her funnybone. I will miss her.

— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) December 18, 2018

Yesterday I held a Golden Gloves award from the 1930’s, given to me by Penny Marshall.
Hadn’t seen it in years.
Then today’s news…
Penny told me the story of Jim Braddock, which became the movie Cinderella Man. She was kind, she was crazy,so talented and she loved movies. RIP

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) December 18, 2018

Oh Penny Marshall. 💔 Rest In Peace and thank you for everything.❤️

— Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) December 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/AlbertBrooks/status/1075105308941447168

“I’m terribly sad to hear the news about Penny passing. My heart goes out to Tracy Reiner and her family. Penny brought so much joy to so many and will be sorely missed. I will be forever grateful to her for letting me be a part of A League of Their Own.” Geena Davis

— Geena Davis Institute (@GeenaDavisOrg) December 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/vincentdonofrio/status/1075104353235689473

Penny Marshall brought us great laughter and truly broke new ground as a director. Neither a schlemiel, nor ever a schlimazel, she shall be missed by her many fans. Rest in peace.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 18, 2018

I got to stay up late-after Happy Days-2 watch Laverne & Shirley. So sad 2 learn that Penny Marshall has passed. Sitting on a sit-com set 40 years later, thinking about milk & pepsi, rodeo-doh-doh-doh & so many of her brilliant moments. Love to her family, friends & our town… pic.twitter.com/imFiGVSw3T

— Sean Astin (@SeanAstin) December 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/RoArquette/status/1075109631515451392

Sad to hear of Penny Marshall’s passing. a great comedienne a terrific director and a dear friend.

— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) December 18, 2018

Condolences to the family of Penny Marshall. She was a true treasure! 😢 pic.twitter.com/BtM46dAnYq

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 18, 2018

This one really hit me hard. One of the best to ever do it. From the Boogie Down but always repped LA too #clipperlover Thank you Penny for blazing trails and sharing your talents. You… https://t.co/Pf7H5PrJwH

— Regina King (@ReginaKing) December 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/oliviamunn/status/1075116425327460352

https://twitter.com/oliviamunn/status/1075116723643138048

https://twitter.com/awkwafina/status/1075117393733595136

Penny Marshall was a sweet woman. I was very fortunate to spend time with her. So many laughs. She had a heart of gold. Tough as nails. She could play round ball with the best of them. Always All love, D

— Danny DeVito (@DannyDeVito) December 18, 2018

At a time when men dominated, #pennymarshall broke barriers as a director, giving us hit after hit. A League of their Own, Awakenings, & Big aren’t simply great movies. They r classics made by a director who was simultaneously setting up shots while breaking down walls. RIP

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) December 18, 2018

Bron: THR, THR