Legendary sitcom star Penny Marshall has died, according to the Washington Post. The Laverne & Shirley actress reportedly died on December 17, 2018, at her home in Hollywood Hills. A spokesperson for the family told the media on Tuesday that Penny died due to complications from diabetes. She was 75 years old.
The Bronx native was born on October 15, 1943. She was the younger sibling of the late Garry Marshall, an acclaimed and prolific writer-director-producer who gave Penny her big break on his beloved sitcom Happy Days. Penny’s recurring role as Laverne DeFazio on that show led to a spin-off (also produced by her brother). Laverne & Shirley, costarring Penny alongside Cindy Williams as roommates and coworkers at a Milwaukee beer-bottling plant, was a massive hit airing from 1976 to 1983 on ABC.
After Laverne & Shirley ended, Penny transitioned into a successful career as a film director. She was at the helm of classic hit movies including Big (1988), starring Tom Hanks, and A League of Their Own (1992), starring Madonna, Geena Davis, and Tom Hanks once again. Penny was considered a trailblazer among women directors at a time when studios were wary of giving women big-budget films. She became the first woman to ever direct a film that made over $100 million after Big grossed a reported $115 million domestically.
Penny was married to her second husband, fellow actor-director-writer Rob Reiner, from 1971 to 1981. She is survived by her older sister, Ronny Hallin; one daughter, actress Tracy Reiner; and three grandchildren.
“Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall,” her family representative said in a statement, according to CNN. “We hope her life continues to inspire others to spend time with family, work hard, and make all of their dreams come true.”