Penny Marshall death: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis and more lead tributes to Big director
The Awakenings and A League of Their Own director passed away on Monday evening
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Your support makes all the difference.Hollywood has paid tribute to Penny Marshall, who died at the age of 75 at her home on Monday (17 December).
The multi-talented actor-director, whose films include Big and Awakenings, died of complications from diabetes. Marshall’s publicist confirmed her passing and cause of death to Reuters.
Many actors who worked with Marshall throughout her four-decade career have paid tribute to the star, including Tom Hanks and Geena Davis, who both appeared in her 1992 film, A League of Their Own.
Hanks, who also starred in her 1988 film Big, wrote: “Goodbye, Penny. Man, did we laugh a lot! Wish we still could. Love you. Hanx.”
Davis posted a statement to Twitter, which reads: “I’m terribly sad to hear the news about Penny passing. My heart goes out to Tracy Reiner and her family. Penny brought so much joy to so many and will be sorely missed. I will be forever grateful to her for letting me be a part of A League of Their Own.”
Marshall was married to fellow filmmaker Rob Reiner from 1971 to 1981. Upon hearing news of her death, the Stand By Me director wrote: “I loved Penny. I grew up with her. She was born with a great gift. She was born with a funnybone and the instinct of how to use it. I was very lucky to have lived with her and her funnybone. I will miss her.”
Danny DeVito praised Marshall’s “heart of gold,” while Mark Wahlberg said he “wouldn’t be where [he is]” today without her.
Other celebrities to pay tribute include Ava DuVernay, Jane Lynch and Billy Crystal, who called her “a dear friend”.
Marshall, a Bronx native, rose to fame in the Seventies as Laverne DeFazio in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley.
Big saw Marshall become the first female director to direct a film that grossed over $100m at the box office – a feat she matched four years later with A League of Their Own.
Marshall is survived by her daughter Tracy, older sister Ronny, and three grandchildren.
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