By ,
Published July 20, 2016
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."
"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."
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.
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/julie-andrews-henry-winkler-and-more-stars-react-to-the-death-of-happy-days-creator-garry-marshall