On July 19, 2016, Marshall died at a hospital in Burbank, California, at the age of 81 due to complications of pneumonia after suffering a stroke. He was an American actor, director, producer, writer, voice artist, and comedian. He is known for creating Happy Days and its various spin-offs, developing Neil Simon’s 1965 play The Odd Couple for television, and directing Overboard, Pretty Woman, Beaches, The Flamingo Kid, Nothing in Common, Exit to Eden, The Princess Diaries, and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
In 1996, Marshall was awarded the Women in Film Lucy Award in recognition of excellence and innovation in creative works that have enhanced the perception of women through the medium of television. Marshall was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame for his contributions to the field of television in 1997. In 2012, he was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Marshall received the Valentine Davies Award (1995) and Laurel Award for TV Writing Achievement (2014) from the Writers Guild of America.
Marshall was also an actor, making his television acting debut starting as a child with a recurring role inThe George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950–58), appearing in Murphy Brown and in such films as Soapdish, On the Lot, and provided a guest-starring voice for The Simpsons episodes Eight Misbehavin’ andHomer the Father. He also appeared in two episodes of Happy Days as a drummer.
His theater credits included Wrong Turn at Lungfish, which he wrote in collaboration with Lowell Ganz, The Roast with Jerry Belson, Shelves and Happy Days: A New Musical with Paul Williams, which had its premiere at the Falcon Theater in Burbank, California, February 24, 2006. He portrayed the role of “director” on Burbank’s “Lights… camera… action!” float in the 2014 Rose Parade.
R.I.P.
