Penny Marshall was a beloved American actress, director, and producer whose career spanned decades, making her a pioneering figure in Hollywood. Best known for her role as Laverne DeFazio on the hit TV sitcom Laverne & Shirley, Marshall later transitioned into a highly successful career as a director. She became one of the first women in Hollywood to direct major box-office hits, including Big (1988) and A League of Their Own (1992). Her ability to tell heartfelt, character-driven stories made her one of the most respected figures in the entertainment industry.
Born Carole Penny Marshall on October 15, 1943, in The Bronx, New York, she was the daughter of Marjorie Marshall, a tap dance teacher, and Anthony “Tony” Marshall, a film director and producer. Growing up in a show-business family, Marshall was exposed to the world of entertainment from an early age, but her rise to fame was marked by persistence, hard work, and a unique blend of comedic talent and artistic vision.
Early Life and Family
Penny Marshall was raised in a close-knit, creative family with strong connections to the entertainment industry. Her mother ran a dance school, and her father was involved in film production, so it was no surprise that young Penny developed a love for performance. Marshall’s older brother, Garry Marshall, would later become a successful producer and director, creating shows like Happy Days and Mork & Mindy, which would play pivotal roles in Penny’s career.
Marshall attended Walton High School in The Bronx before going on to the University of New Mexico, where she studied psychology and math. However, the pull of Hollywood was too strong, and she eventually dropped out of college to move to Los Angeles, where her brother was already working in television. Despite having a famous brother in the industry, Penny Marshall’s early career was far from easy. She struggled to land roles and found herself often typecast because of her distinct Bronx accent and quirky, comedic style.
Breakthrough with Laverne & Shirley
Penny Marshall’s breakthrough came in 1976 when she was cast as Laverne DeFazio on the popular television sitcom Laverne & Shirley. The show was a spin-off of Happy Days and followed the lives of two single, working-class women who lived together and worked at a Milwaukee brewery. Marshall starred alongside Cindy Williams, who played her best friend and roommate, Shirley Feeney.
Marshall’s character, Laverne, was known for her tomboyish behavior, her love of milk and Pepsi, and her signature monogrammed sweaters emblazoned with a large “L.” The chemistry between Marshall and Williams was central to the success of the show, and Laverne & Shirley became one of the most-watched TV programs of the late 1970s and early 1980s. At its peak, the show regularly topped the ratings, and Marshall’s performance earned her widespread acclaim.
Laverne & Shirley ran for eight seasons, from 1976 to 1983, and cemented Marshall’s status as a household name. The show also provided her with her first experiences behind the camera. Marshall directed several episodes of the series, sparking an interest in directing that would soon lead to a groundbreaking career behind the scenes.
Transition to Directing
After Laverne & Shirley ended, Penny Marshall turned her attention to directing, and it wasn’t long before she made her mark in Hollywood as one of the leading female directors of her time. Her first major directorial effort came in 1986 when she directed Jumpin’ Jack Flash, a comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg. Though the film received mixed reviews, it gave Marshall the opportunity to show her potential as a director.
Marshall’s true breakthrough as a director came in 1988 with the release of Big, a comedy starring Tom Hanks about a young boy who magically transforms into an adult overnight. The film was a massive box-office hit, grossing over $150 million worldwide and becoming the first film directed by a woman to earn more than $100 million. Big was not only a financial success but also a critical one, earning praise for its humor, heart, and Hanks’ performance. Marshall’s direction was lauded for its ability to balance fantasy elements with genuine emotion, making Big one of the most beloved films of the 1980s.
A League of Their Own and Further Success
Following the success of Big, Penny Marshall solidified her reputation as a top-tier director with the 1992 release of A League of Their Own. The film, which told the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II, starred Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna. A League of Their Own became an instant classic, celebrated for its portrayal of women in sports, its humor, and its emotional depth.
The film’s famous line, “There’s no crying in baseball,” delivered by Hanks’ character, became one of the most quoted lines in cinema history. A League of Their Own earned over $132 million at the box office and further established Marshall as one of Hollywood’s most talented directors. The film remains a cultural touchstone, and its success opened doors for more women to pursue directing in an industry that was, at the time, heavily male-dominated.
Marshall’s directorial career continued to thrive in the 1990s with films like Awakenings (1990), a critically acclaimed drama starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. The film was based on the true story of a doctor’s experimental treatment of catatonic patients and earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Marshall’s ability to direct both lighthearted comedies and serious dramas showcased her versatility and cemented her legacy as a director with a unique vision.
Personal Life and Legacy
While Penny Marshall found tremendous success in Hollywood, her personal life was filled with ups and downs. She married college sweetheart Michael Henry in 1961, and they had a daughter, Tracy, before divorcing in 1963. In 1971, she married actor-director Rob Reiner, who adopted Tracy. Marshall and Reiner divorced in 1981 but remained close friends throughout their lives.
Marshall’s career was marked by a series of firsts and breakthroughs for women in Hollywood. She became the first woman to direct two films that grossed more than $100 million at the box office, a feat that helped pave the way for future generations of female directors. Her work as an actress, director, and producer earned her numerous accolades, including Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.
Beyond her professional achievements, Penny Marshall was known for her down-to-earth personality, her sharp wit, and her love of sports—especially basketball, which she avidly followed. She remained a beloved figure in Hollywood, admired for her ability to connect with audiences through stories that were both entertaining and deeply human.
Penny Marshall passed away on December 17, 2018, at the age of 75. Her death was met with an outpouring of tributes from fans, friends, and colleagues who remembered her not only for her incredible body of work but also for her warmth, generosity, and pioneering spirit. Marshall’s legacy as a trailblazer in Hollywood continues to inspire actors, directors, and filmmakers, particularly women, who follow in her footsteps.