Garry Marshall | 1934 - 2016

Writer-director Garry Marshall, whose deft touch with comedy and romance led to a string of TV hits that included “Happy Days” and “Laverne & Shirley” and the box-office successes “Pretty Woman” and “Runaway Bride,” has died.

“I want the fairy tale.”

Sure, he was known for some pretty trifling romcoms in recent years.

When Garry Marshall died Tuesday, the first person I thought about was Julia Roberts.

Garry Marshall, who died at age 81, has worn many hats during his career: actor, writer, producer, director and even playwright.

Call it the Decade Movie Pact; ever since first collaborating on “Pretty Woman” in 1990, Julia Roberts and Garry Marshall have made a movie together every 10 years.

Writer-director Garry Marshall, whose TV hits included “Happy Days” and ‘’Laverne & Shirley” along with such box-office successes as “Pretty Woman” and “Runaway Bride,” died Tuesday.

Writer-director Garry Marshall, whose TV hits included “Happy Days” and ‘’Laverne & Shirley” along with such box-office successes as “Pretty Woman” and “Runaway Bride,” died Tuesday.

Writer-director Garry Marshall, whose TV hits included “Happy Days” and ‘’Laverne & Shirley” along with such box-office successes as “Pretty Woman” and “Runaway Bride,” died Tuesday.

Much of the pre-release chatter around “Mother’s Day,” the latest holiday-themed group therapy session from director Garry Marshall (“Valentine’s Day,” “New Year’s Eve”), has focused on the subject of Julia Roberts’ hair — specifically, the strawberry-blond Anna Wintour bob that her character wears throughout.

Garry Marshall has worn many hats during his career: actor, writer, producer, director and even playwright.