On Tuesday night, May 12, ABC celebrated Garry Marshall's accomplishments with a special tribute to "The Happy Days of Garry Marshall." Garry and his sister, Penny, became an iconic duo when they worked on "Laverne and Shirley," the spin-off of "Happy Days."
Garry and Penny Marshall -- Most Powerful Sibling Duo
The late brother and sister are still regarded as one of the most powerful sibling duos in the Hollywood industry. Garry was a renowned TV producer and director and Penny, an actress and record-breaking director.
Even though Penny was told that she was "unattractive" when she first started, reported by "The Washington Post," Garry knew that his sister would prove her critics wrong someday.
Garry Marshall's struggles with Penny Marshall
Garry Marshall created the ever-popular sitcom "Happy Days" which was then followed by the spin-off "Laverne and Shirley," where his sister Penny starred in and directed four of its episodes.
According to NPR, Gary said his sister had all the ideas to improve the "Laverne and Shirley" show. Their relationship became difficult to navigate due to the success of the show. He said that it was the toughest show or project he has ever done because he could not hide from his sister.
He added that because Penny was in the number one show, it became difficult for him because he prides himself on making people happy, but he could not make his sister happy with his show "Laverne and Shirley."
The "Laverne and Shirley" affected sibling relationship
In 2012, Garry shared with "The New York Times Magazine" how the "Laverne and Shirley" took a toll on their relationship. He said that it was his worst show experience because the '70s were druggy years on most shows. He added that everything was a mess, but he still talked to his sister because it is impossible not to let your family member into your house.
Other than that, Marley Brant, author of the book "Happier Days: Paramount Television's Classic Sitcoms," 1974-1984, detailed further on the feud between Penny and her co-star, Cindy Williams. Williams said that Penny's character, Shirley, was getting slighted, and there was one day when she walked off the set.
Williams shared in 2015 that although there are some off-camera arguments, everyone is still dedicated to making the audience laugh on the sitcom. She joked to ET, saying that they were like in an Italian family having dinner on Sundays, but one of you do not pass the celery properly. She knows that there will always be arguments.
It is clear that Garry and Penny love one another before their deaths, even though they had arguments when they were working on "Laverne and Shirley." On July 19, 2016, Garry died from complications of pneumonia after getting a stroke while Penny died due to complications of diabetes on December 17, 2018.
During an interview for the Television Academy Foundation, Penny said that she would not have a career if it were not because of her brother. Admittedly, she said that it was her brother that pointed her into that direction.
