NEWSActress And Director Penny Marshall Dead At 75
Dec. 18 2018, Updated 5:27 p.m. ET
Actress Penny Marshall has died at the age of 75.
Her publicist confirmed that she passed away in her Hollywood Hills home on Monday night. The cause of death was complications from diabetes.
"Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall," The Marshall family stated to AMI. "Penny was a tomboy who loved sports, doing puzzles of any kind, drinking milk and Pepsi together and being with her family. As an actress, her work on Laverne & Shirley broke ground featuring blue-collar women entertaining America in prime time. She was a comedic natural with a photographic memory and an instinct for slapstick. When Penny directed Tom Hanks in the movie Big she became a pioneer as the first woman in history to helm a film that grossed more than $100 million. She did it again with A League of Their Own."
"She directed many stars including Geena Davis, Robert De Niro, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Madonna, Denzel Washington, Rosie O’Donnell and Whitney Houston. She even gave Mark Wahlberg his first acting job. Penny was a girl from the Bronx, who came out West, put a cursive “L” on her sweater and transformed herself into a Hollywood success story. We hope her life continues to inspire others to spend time with family, work hard and make all of their dreams come true."
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date to be announced.
Penny is survived by her older sister Ronny, daughter Tracy Reiner, and three grandchildren Spencer, Bella and Viva.
