Gary Marshal

Though he is best known today for his work as a director, Garry Marshall got his start in show business as a joke writer, working for comedians including Joey Bishop and Phil Foster, and writing for "The Tonight Show" when it was still hosted by Jack Paar. After moving to Los Angeles in 1961, he continued to work with Bishop, writing for "The Joey Bishop Show." Along with his writing partner, Jerry Belson, he also scribed for series including the classic family sitcoms "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Lucy Show." Belson and Marshall next adapted Neil Simon's play "The Odd Couple" for the small screen, both serving as writers, directors, and executive producers on the show. Marshall went on to create a series of his own successful shows such as the nostalgia comedy "Happy Days," the sitcom "Laverne and Shirley"(starring his sister, Penny), and the screwball comedy "Mork & Mindy," writing and producing throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Marshall directed his first feature film with 1984's "The Flamingo Kid" and quickly took to the medium, helming beloved movies including the Oscar-nominated dramedy "Beaches," and the romantic comedies "Pretty Woman," and "The Runaway Bride" during the late 1980s and 1990s. He continued to direct films through the 2000s, including the successful family comedy "The Princess Diaries" franchise as well as the romantic comedies "Valentine's Day" and "New Year's Eve." Marshall is also recognized for his work as an actor, appearing in the sitcom "Murphy Brown" and the sports dramedy "A League of Their Own."