Garry Marshall Dead At 81: ‘Pretty Woman’ Director Dies Of Complications From Pneumonia, Celebs Mourn Legend

Garry Marshall, the writer-director who helmed movies like "Pretty Woman" and "Beaches," died Tuesday at the age of 81, his younger sister Penny Marshall confirmed. Garry died after suffering from complications from pneumonia following a stroke at a hospital in Burbank, California.

The family said in a statement that funeral services for Garry will be private and a memorial is planned for his birthday on Nov. 13. Garry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara, and three children.

The Bronx-born Hollywood legend has been associated with several movies and TV series, including "Laverne & Shirley," "Mork & Mindy," "Happy Days," "Overboard," "Exit to Eden" and "The Princess Diaries," during the course of his more than five decades of career. In recent years, he has been part of holiday-themed movies such as "Valentine’s Day" — which marked Taylor Swift’s big-screen debut, "New Year’s Eve" and "Mother’s Day."

The April 2016 release of "Mother's Day," reunited Garry with his "Pretty Woman" star Julia Roberts.

Garry's career began with his role as a writer for the "Tonight Show" with Jack Paar in the late 1950s, which came shortly before he moved to Los Angeles to work with Jerry Belson. As an actor, Garry was part of several classic films such as "A League of Their Own," "Hocus Pocus" and "Murphy Brown."

"Pretty Woman" actor Richard Gere expressed his sadness over losing Garry in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter.

Garry of course was one of those truly important people one is blessed to meet in one’s lifetime. Besides being the pulse and life force of ‘Pretty Woman’… a steady helmsman on a ship that could have easily capsized… he was a super fine and decent man, husband and father who brought real joy and love and infectious good spirits to every thing and everyone he crossed paths with. Everyone loved Garry. He was a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. He was Garry.”

Several stars took to Twitter to remember the iconic figure.