'Happy Days' Creator Garry Marshall Dead At 81

Legendary producer, director and actor Garry Marshall is dead at the age of 81. The director died from complications of pneumonia following a stroke on Tuesday at a hospital in Burbank, California, his publicist confirmed.

Marshall created popular sitcoms in the 1970s such as "Happy Days," "The Odd Couple" and "Laverne and Shirley." He transitioned to movies in the early 90s and had great success with movies like "Pretty Woman," "Beaches" and "Runaway Bride."

The native New Yorker, who was born in the Bronx, switched careers after first working as a reporter for the New York Daily News.

"Happy Days" star Henry Winkler thanked the show's creator on Twitter for not only his professional life, but also his loyalty, friendship and generosity. He also called Marshall "larger than life, funnier than most, wise and the definition of friend."

Actor Tony Danza tweeted that "we lost one of the all time greatest" and called Marshall his dear friend. Many of those mourning his loss noted his work directing films like "Pretty Woman" and "The Princess Diaries."

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