Penny Marshall, star of US TV series ‘Laverne & Shirley’ and director of hit films ‘Big’ and ‘A League of Their Own,’ has died at the age of 75, her publicist has said. ‘Big’s’ success made Marshall the first woman to direct a film that made more than $100m (£79m) at the US box office. In 2004, she was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, along with her ‘Laverne & Shirley’ co-star. She’s been described as a pioneer in the film-making industry. Marshall and co-star Cindy Williams starred in the 1970s ‘Happy Days’ TV spin-off about two single, working women in late 1950s Milwaukee, which was a huge success. After Laverne & Shirley, Marshall went on to become a producer and director whose films included box-office successes such as Big, starring Tom Hanks, and women’s baseball comedy A League of Their Own. Her first film was the 1986 Whoopi Goldberg comedy Jumpin’ Jack Flash. She also directed Robert De Niro and Robin Williams in Awakenings, which was nominated for three Academy Awards including best picture. “She did commercial movies at a time when women weren’t doing studio films. And so, she was a pioneer in the studio-movie world,” Melissa Silverstein, founder of the advocacy group Women and Hollywood, told BBC. In the wake of her death, celebrities took time to share their favorite memories of her and how she affected them. Rob Reiner “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.” Tom Hanks “Goodbye, Penny. Man, did we laugh a lot! Wish we still could. Love you. Hanx.” Ron Howard “#RIPPennyMarshall She was funny & so smart. She made the transition from sitcom star to A List movie director with ease & had a major impact on both mediums. All that & always relaxed, funny & totally unpretentious. I was lucky to have known & worked with her.” Geena Davis “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.” Geena Davis Russell Crowe “Yesterday I held a Golden Gloves award from the 1930’s, given to me by Penny Marshall. Hadn’t seen it in years. Then today’s news… Penny told me the story of Jim Braddock, which became the movie Cinderella Man. She was kind, she was crazy, so talented and she loved movies. RIP.” Published in Daily Times, December 20th 2018.