Penny Marshall
Biography
Penny Marshall was an American actress, director, and producer. Born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx, she took up tap dancing at age three and later taught at her mother's dance school. After early television roles, she starred as Laverne DeFazio on Laverne & Shirley from 1976 to 1983 and earned three Golden Globe nominations. She directed episodes of that sitcom before making her feature film debut with Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986). Her next film, Big (1988), became the first directed by a woman to earn more than $100 million in U.S. theaters. She then directed Awakenings (1990), an Academy Award Best Picture nominee, and A League of Their Own (1992). Later directing credits included Renaissance Man (1994), The Preacher's Wife (1996), and Riding in Cars with Boys (2001). She also produced Cinderella Man and Bewitched in 2005 and directed episodes of According to Jim and United States of Tara.
75years old at death
- Born The Bronx
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: LibraThe sign runs September 23 to October 22
- Also credited as Carole Penny Marshall and Carole Marshall
Movie Career
- Films
- 8
- Career span
- 49 years1971 to 2020
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A first
Marshall became the first woman to direct a movie that took in more than US$100 million at the box office. That film was Big, her 1988 body-swap romantic comedy with Tom Hanks.
A first
Marshall was the first official guest star on The Simpsons, voicing Ms. Botz, the "babysitter bandit," in the first produced episode.
First role
Marshall's first screen appearance was a Head and Shoulders commercial, playing a young woman who lends shampoo to her roommate, Farrah Fawcett.
A role that slipped away
For the role of Witchiepoo on H.R. Pufnstuf, only Marshall and Billie Hayes tried out. Marshall believed she was not right for the part, so Hayes got the role.
A role that slipped away
Marshall was hired to direct Super Mario Bros. in 1990, but was replaced by Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel after Roland Joffe took over as producer.
A role that slipped away
Marshall's first film as director was to be Peggy Sue Got Married, but creative differences made her leave the project, and star Debra Winger left too.
Penny Marshall movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Worked with
Penny Marshall shares two films with Barbara Eden, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Barbara Eden's page
Frank Welker's page
Grey Griffin's page
Luis Guzmán's page
Dan Aykroyd's page
Matthew Lillard's page
All films by John Badham
All films by Scott Marshall
All films by Spike Brandt
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1991 | Crystal Award | Won | |
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.