Special Delivery, Get Shorty, Hocus Pocus, The Hard Way, She's Having a Baby, Movers and Shakers, 1941, How Come Nobody's on Our Side?, The Grasshopper, The Savage Seven, How Sweet It Is!
Television
The Odd Couple, Laverne and Shirley, Mork and Mindy
Penny Marshall was born Carole Penny Marshall in the Bronx, New York, on October 15, 1942. The Libra is 5' 6 1/2" with brown hair and green eyes. Born to parents Marjorie Ward and Anthony "Tony" Marshall, she is the younger sister of Garry Marshall and Ronny Hallin.
Penny was known in her family as "the bad one"... because not only did she walk on the ledge of her family's apartment building, but she snuck into the movies as a child and even dated a guy named "Lefty." She attended a private girls' high school in New York and then went to the University of New Mexico for 2 1/2 years. There, Penny got pregnant with daughter, Tracy Reiner, and soon after married the father, Michael Henry, in 1961. The couple divorced two years later in 1963. Her first film debut came from her brother Garry Marshall, who put her in the movie How Sweet It Is! (1968) with the talented Debbie Reynolds and James Garner. She also did a dandruff commercial with Farrah Fawcett - the casting people, of course, giving Farrah the part of the "beautiful girl" and Penny the part of the "plain girl." This only added to Penny's insecurity with her looks.
She then married Rob Reiner on April 10, 1971, shortly after getting her big TV break as Oscar Madison's secretary, Myrna Turner, on "The Odd Couple" (1970). She also played Mary Richards' neighbor, Paula Kovacks, on "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970) for a couple of episodes. However, her "Laverne & Shirley" (1976) fame came when her brother needed two women to play "fast girls" who were friends of Arthur Fonzarelli and would date Fonzie and Richie Cunningham on "Happy Days" (1974). Penny had been working on miscellaneous writing projects with writing partner Cindy Williams. Cindy happened to be a friend and ex-girlfriend of Henry Winkler's, so Garry asked the two to play the parts of these girls. The audience saw their wonderful chemistry, and loved them so much, a spin-off was created for them.
Penny was well-known as Laverne DeFazio. She and Rob had a terrible divorce in 1980. The show ended three years later, half a year after Cindy Williams left the show due to pregnancy (her first baby, Emily, from now ex-husband Bill Hudson)... they wanted Williams to work the week she was supposed to deliver.
Soon after, Penny began directing such films as Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), Big (1988) and A League of Their Own (1992). Her hobbies include needlepoint, jigsaw puzzles and antique shopping. She is best friends with actress Carrie Fisher and is godmother to Carrie's daughter, Billie.
I just wanted to share a little note with you after reading your page/profile, as I thought you'd get a laugh out of it... When I was a little girl we didn't have much money, and my dollies werent Barbie, as I chuckle and wink I would like to tell you, I have The Debbie Reynold's cut out dolls from 1960 Whitman Publishing Company, which I played with as a child...it's got the fancy dresses that I would change with dressuits, formal evening gowns, pantsuits, coats and furs, the cover served as the Walls and BoN VoYaGe is written across the inside cover, And had a place to keep all the dress and clothes for her...It was given to me by my Cousin, and I still to this very day treasure it, I even have other's, But when I read your page today it made me reminece of you, and a very unique time growing up and watching your life unfold before my eyes, and I would like you to know that you are a beautiful wonderful person and you hold my utmost respect and admirmeration, and I soooo relate to you and your life, I think you may well be an angel to me!!!!! You made a great impact on my life and I felt compel to share something with you since you have shared sooo much with me thru the years....God Bless YOU!!! And Thank you!!!!! For being YOU!!!! XXXXOOOO Susie Q
I love the ad..thank you... I have always loved Penny when she play'ed Laverne...as a child I wanted to wear an L for my last name...lol... But after watching her play Laverne I was often called Laverne and my best friend was Shirley...lol..lol.. anyway's but then as I seen her being a Director and shone in many ways, so if you talk to her let her know someone admires her...ME!!! Love SQ
Thanks for the request :) This is the same person that runs the Penny Marshall Facebook group. Originally a man named Mark ran this page, but he handed it over to me. I love this page and the new Penny website!
I've been a huge fan of Penny's since I was 12 years old - that's why I did this fan space for her... I really hope everyone has a great time here!! :)
