Director Garry Marshall undoubtedly made a legendary impact in the entertainment industry, conquering both film and television. He created TV shows like Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Mork & Mindy.
He directed blockbusters such as Pretty Woman, Valentine's Day, and The Princess Diaries. He knew how to take an idea and make it into something truly special to last for generations, and for people to cherish. Recently ABC aired a tribute for him, The Happy Days of Garry Marshall, and to further commemorate the legendary director, writer and producer, are 10 of his best film and TV shows, ranked.
Runaway Bride (1999)
Garry Marshall reunited with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts to direct 1999's Runaway Bride, which follows the story of Maggie (Roberts) and Ike (Gere). Maggie has run away from several fiancés, earning her the nickname "runaway bride." Ike is a reporter that comes to Maggie's town to do a story on her, and finds himself falling in love with her. Ike realizes why she runs away from her husbands-to-be, as she becomes someone she is not for them, and just when Ike is set to marry Maggie, she runs from him too, but for a different reason: because she needed to figure out who she was first. The two ultimately end up together, getting the happy ending they both deserve.
Raising Helen (2004)
Helen (Kate Hudson) is a young, carefree woman living in Manhattan with a successful job in the fashion industry. Her lifestyle abruptly changes when her sister and brother-in-law suddenly die in a car accident, and leave their three children to her. She must learn to navigate life as a mom and adjust to accommodate her nieces and nephew, but finds that they're what each other needed to get through a tough time all along.
Directed by Marshall, Raising Helen tells the heartwarming story of how a family moves on from tragedy, remembering those they lost but also cherishing those they still have.
Valentine's Day (2010)
The film follows a series of characters, related in different ways, as they navigate the woes and triumphs of love on Valentine's Day. A lot happens within this one day, as couples come together and break-up, truths are revealed, and epiphanies are realized. A large range of stars such as Julia Roberts, Jennifer Garner, George Lopez, Héctor Elizondo, Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, and Anne Hathaway all make appearances, some stars of which Marshall, who directed the film, had directed in other films before.
The Odd Couple (1968)
Developed for television by Marshall and Jerry Belson, The Odd Couple follows two divorced men, Oscar (Jack Klugman) and Felix (Tony Randall) in New York City. The two have wildly different personalities and lifestyles, making for many comedic situations.
Though sometimes they may get on one another's nerves, especially since they share an apartment, their friendship ultimately overcomes their clashes and plights.
Overboard (1987)
Marshall directed this 1987 hit, starring real-life couple Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. Russell is a single father trying to make ends meet, while Hawn is a spoiled rich girl that refuses to pay him for the work he did on her boat, tossing his tools and pushing him overboard. Karma strikes when she accidentally goes overboard herself later on, and is brought back to Russell's town with no memory. Deciding she needs to work off what she owes him, Russell fabricates a story of her being his wife and makes her clean, cook and everything else. The thing is, they never expected to fall in love for real, and it betters both of their lives in turn.
Laverne & Shirley (1976)
This sitcom, created by Marshall, ran for eight seasons and featured the characters of Laverne and Shirley, who are roommates and work in a factory together in 1950s Milwaukee. Laverne was actually played by Marshall's real-life sister, Penny Marshall.
The two best friends were frequently pestered by their neighbors Lenny and Squiggy, and the show itself was a spin-off of Happy Days. While Laverne was tough and headstrong, Shirley was more shy and reserved, providing a good balance, and comedic aspect, between the two.
The Princess Diaries (2001)
Mia (Anne Hathaway), an intelligent but shy San Franciscan teenager, has her life turned upside down when her estranged grandmother Clarisse (Julie Andrews) shows up out of the blue and informs her that she is a princess in this 2001 film directed by Marshall. Reluctant to take on the responsibilities that come with her heritage, Mia strikes a deal with her mother and grandmother and reluctantly agrees to learn to be a princess. Later on, as she's about to run away, she receives help through her recently deceased father who left a message for her and comes to find that she may just be ready to be a princess after all.
Mork & Mindy (1978)
Mork & Mindy was created by Marshall, after Mork (Robin Williams) had made an appearance on Happy Days and proved to be very popular. Williams' improvisation and comedic talents were highlighted on this sitcom, as he played an alien, Mork from Ork, who greeted people with "Na-Nu Na-Nu" and lived with human Mindy (Pam Dawber) in Colorado.
The two started off as roommates and later became a couple; they had great chemistry and never failed to make the audience laugh.
Happy Days (1974)
Created by Marshall, Happy Days was one of the most successful sitcoms of the 1970s, following the lives of the Cunningham family in the 1950s. It was a show about the simpler things in life, never taking itself too seriously, and that introduced one of the most legendary characters of all time, "Fonzie/"The Fonz" (Henry Winkler), who was the best friend of Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard). Happy Days had a catchy theme song, plenty of comedy, and of course, a wholesome family theme.
Pretty Woman (1990)
This 1990 hit was directed by Garry Marshall, who turned an initially dark script into an unforgettable rom-com that audiences still love to this day. Sex worker Vivian (Julia Roberts) accepts wealthy businessman Edward's (Richard Gere) offer to accompany him for a week, and finds herself falling in love. The two continuously bond and grow to truly care for one another, with Vivian admitting she wants the "fairy tale." Edward, initially hesitant, realizes that despite his fears he wants to be with her, and shows up to "rescue" her, and she "rescues him right back."