Garry Marshall

Biography: The career of producer/director Garry Marshall has been marked by many peaks, the highest of which include such classic television sitcoms as The Odd Couple (1970-1975), Happy Days (1974-1984), and Mork and Mindy (1978-1982), and the phenomenally popular feature film Pretty Woman (1990). A Brooklyn native, Marshall (born Gary Marsciarelli) is the son of an industrial filmmaker and a dance instructor. His sister, Penny Marshall, is a comic actress and noted film director. Marshall majored in journalism at Northwestern University and subsequently served a stint in the army before becoming a reporter for the New York Daily News. He was also a jazz drummer in a band before becoming a television comedy scriptwriter for such artists as Joey Bishop and Phil Foster and the writer for Jack Parr on The Tonight Show.

Marshall moved to Los Angeles in 1961, but he didn't make it big until he teamed up with writer Jerry Belson. Together, they penned numerous episodes for several sitcoms,
notably The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucy Show. In 1970, Marshall produced The Odd Couple, which starred Jack Klugman and Tony Randall and was based on a popular Neil Simon play and movie. He reached his apex as a television producer during the '70s, with such hits as Laverne and Shirley (1976-1983) (a Happy Days spin-off starring sister Penny) and Mork and Mindy. In addition to his producing and television directorial efforts, Marshall occasionally appeared as a supporting actor.

In features, Marshall co-produced and co-wrote (with Belson) his first film, How Sweet It Is!, in 1968. A year later, the two produced and penned The Grasshopper. Marshall made his directorial feature film debut in 1982 with Young Doctors in Love, a comic look at daytime serials. As a film director, Marshall's output has received uneven critical reviews. Films such as the Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell vehicle Overboard and the Bette Midler/Barbara Hershey melodrama Beaches (1988) had good box-office business, but were considered of average quality. 1990's Pretty Woman was Marshall's first big movie hit. Following its tremendous success, he tried his hand at a serious drama with Frankie and Johnny (1991) starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. Since then, Marshall's films have tended more toward sentimental and straight dramas such as The Twilight of the Golds (1997) and The Other Sister (1999). Marshall returned to comedy -- and to his teaming of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere -- in 1999 with Runaway Bride.

In addition to his work behind the camera, Marshall has occasionally appeared as an actor in films and television shows alike. During the mid-'90s, many TV audiences came to recognize him for playing Candice Bergen's ratings-crazy boss, Stan Lansing, on Murphy Brown.
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Garry Marshall's Scores

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On the Lot: Season 1
May 22, 2007 Judge tbd
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Angelica and Susie's Pre-School Daze: Season 1
Jan 1, 2006 Fred tbd
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Murphy Brown: Season 6
Sep 20, 1993 Mr. (Stan) Lansing tbd
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Murphy Brown: Season 5
Sep 21, 1992 Mr.) Stan Lansing tbd
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Murphy Brown: Season 4
Sep 16, 1991 Mr. (Stan) Lansing tbd
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Murphy Brown: Season 3
Sep 17, 1990 Mr. (Stan) Lansing tbd
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Laverne & Shirley (1983): Season 8
Sep 28, 1982 Director tbd
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Mork & Mindy: Season 3
Nov 13, 1980 Director tbd
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Laverne & Shirley (1983): Season 1
Jan 27, 1976 Director 9.0
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The Odd Couple: Season 5
Sep 12, 1974 Director tbd
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Happy Days: Season 2
Sep 10, 1974 Director tbd
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Happy Days: Season 1
Jan 15, 1974 Writer 9.5
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The Odd Couple: Season 4
Sep 14, 1973 Writer / Director tbd
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The Odd Couple: Season 3
Sep 15, 1972 Writer / Director tbd
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The Odd Couple: Season 2
Sep 17, 1971 Writer tbd
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Love, American Style: Season 3
Sep 17, 1971 Writer tbd
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The Odd Couple: Season 1
Sep 24, 1970 Writer / Director tbd
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I Spy: Season 1
Sep 15, 1965 Writer tbd
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Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: Season 1
Sep 25, 1964 Writer tbd
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The Dick Van Dyke Show: Season 4
Sep 23, 1964 Writer tbd
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The Dick Van Dyke Show: Season 3
Sep 25, 1963 Writer tbd
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The Dick Van Dyke Show: Season 5
Oct 3, 1961 Writer tbd