Julie Andrews, Henry Winkler and more stars react to the death of 'Happy Days' creator Garry Marshall
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Celebrities mourned the death of TV and film writer and director Garry Marshall of "Happy Days" and "Pretty Woman" fame.
Marshall, whose deft touch with comedy and romance led to a string of TV hits that included "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley" and the box-office successes "Pretty Woman" and "Runaway Bride," died at 81.
"I am devastated to hear of Garry's passing. He was a dear friend and colleague....generous to a fault,” actress Julie Andrews told ET. “My heart goes out to [his wife] Barbara and the entire family. We shall miss him."
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"RIP Garry Marshall, whose humor & humanity inspired. He was a world class boss & mentor whose creativity and leadership meant a ton to me." ''Garry's mantra, to those who succeeded in entertainment was simple... 'Life is more important that show business.'" "I miss Garry already. He leaves a huge void for all who were lucky to be in his orbit. A great friend," Ron Howard said in multiple Twitter posts.
I'm heartbroken. My mentor and 2nd father has passed. #GarryMarshall pic.twitter.com/Gpn7beNJyu
— Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) July 20, 2016
RIP Garry Marshall.
— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) July 20, 2016
What a devotion to the art of comedy. "Happy Days" have come and gone. pic.twitter.com/ojyL6FMeER
"Besides being the pulse and life force of 'Pretty Woman,' a steady helmsman on a ship that could have easily capsized, he was a super fine and decent man, husband and father who brought real joy and love and infectious good spirits to everything and everyone he crossed paths with," Gere said in a statement to the Associated Press. "Everyone loved Garry. He was a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. He was Garry."
Anson Williams said of the director, "Garry Marshall gave me the opportunity of many lifetimes and, more importantly, genuine love and friendship; a love that transcended far beyond show business. Garry's selfless nurturing of talent will be (passed) on to future generations along with all that he has created."
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What the world has lost! He was such a dear man. I was so excited about getting to see him again soon. I am inconsolable. #GarryMarshall
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) July 20, 2016
Don Most shared, "Garry was a uniquely creative force. It was a great pleasure and treat to see him work, and work with him. And on top of this, he was a warm and generous man, who always fostered a feeling of family with our cast. We lost a giant today."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.