Garry Marshall's legacy: From 'The Odd Couple' to 'Pretty Woman' to 'Mother's Day'

'The Odd Couple' debuted in 1970. 'Pretty Woman' was a box office hit in 1990.

By Los Angeles Times Staff

July 19, 2016 12 AM PT

Garry Marshall, who died at age 81, has worn many hats during his career: actor, writer, producer, director and even playwright. Here are some highlights from Marshall’s various stints.

‘The Odd Couple’ | 1970 - 1975

Marshall and his TV writing partner Jerry Belson developed Neil Simon’s play “The Odd Couple” into a television series. The show starred Tony Randall, left, and Jack Klugman as men whose similarities ended at being divorced men who shared an apartment.

‘Happy Days’ | 1974 - 1984

Marshall created a series that was so influential that the shows spun off from it also became iconic, successful shows in their own right. The ‘50s sitcom set in Milwaukee followed the ups and downs of the Cunningham family and their friend/neighbor Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli.

‘Laverne & Shirley’ | 1976 - 1983

In chronicling the lives of two single women in 1950s and ‘60s Milwaukee, Marshall wrote and executive-produced “Laverne & Shirley,” a spinoff of “Happy Days.” It featured his little sister Penny Marshall, left, and Cindy Williams as Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney, respectively.

‘Mork & Mindy’ | 1978 - 1982

Pam Dawber (“Mindy”) and Robin Williams (“Mork”) starred in the comedy about a space alien living in and observing human life on Earth, and the trouble that he gets into with his human female roommate. Marshall created the show, another “Happy Days” spinoff, which Williams won a Golden Globe for in 1979.

‘Beaches’ | 1988

Marshall directed “Beaches” about best friends C.C. Bloom (Bette Midler, right) and Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey) and their decades-spanning relationship.

‘Pretty Woman’ | 1990

Marshall directed a modern-day fairy tale starring Richard Gere as Edward Lewis, a successful businessman who hires Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts), a hooker he met by chance, to accompany him to social events. It was one of the most successful rom-coms of its era.

‘The Twilight of the Golds’ | 1996

In “The Twilight of the Golds,” Marshall plays Walter Gold, the father of a woman who discovers through prenatal genetic testing that her child (like her brother) will most likely be born gay. Faye Dunaway plays Walter’s wife Phyllis.

‘The Other Sister’ | 1999

Juliette Lewis plays Carla Tate, an ambitious, mentally challenged woman striving to lead an independent life, who meets and falls in love with Danny (Giovanni Ribisi). Marshall directed and co-wrote the screenplay.

‘Runaway Bride’ | 1999

Marshall’s film is about a woman named Maggie (Julia Roberts) who earns the titular nickname by leaving three of her fiancés at the altar on their wedding day. Richard Gere plays a columnist writing a feature on Maggie as she prepares for her fourth attempt to get married.

‘The Princess Diaries’ | 2001

Marshall directed “The Princess Diaries,” which features Anne Hathaway as Mia, left, who discovers she is the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Genovia, which is currently ruled by her grandmother (played by Julie Andrews). Hector Elizondo appears as the helpful attendant Joe.

‘Raising Helen’ | 2004

Marshall on the set of “Raising Helen.” He directed Kate Hudson as Helen, a successful executive assistant in the fashion world whose fast-paced life is upended when she is named guardian of her recently deceased sister’s children.

‘The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement’ | 2004

Marshall, seen here with Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, also directed the sequel to “The Princess Diaries.”

‘Happy Days’ the musical | 2006

Marshall reworked his popular TV series “Happy Days” into a musical that debuted at his Falcon Theater in 2006. Here Marshall works with actor Joey McIntyre, who played “The Fonz.”

‘Valentine’s Day’ | 2010

Marshall with Bradley Cooper and Julia Roberts on the set of “Valentine’s Day.” Marshall directed the movie that follows a group of interconnected characters and their struggles with love on Valentine’s Day.

‘New Year’s Eve’ | 2011

Marshall on the set of “New Year’s Eve” with Katherine Heigl. The Marshall-directed movie is a series of interconnected vignettes of romantic relationships involving the holiday and features a large ensemble cast.

‘Louie’ | 2012

Marshall appeared in “Louie” as Lars Tardigan, the head of CBS who offers Louie the chance to replace David Letterman on “The Late Show.”

‘The Odd Couple’ | 2015

Marshall serves as an executive consultant on the set of CBS’s remake of “The Odd Couple” starring Yvette Nicole Brown, Thomas Lennon, Matthew Perry and Wendell Pierce.

‘Mother’s Day’ | 2016

Marshall teamed up with Julia Roberts for the last time to direct the ensemble romantic-comedy “Mother’s Day.”