Penny Marshall Mourned by Co-Star Cindy Williams Following Death

Cindy Williams, who starred as Shirley alongside Penny Marshall’s Laverne on “Laverne & Shirley,” reacted to the news of Marshall’s death this week.

TMZ broke the story, saying Marshall passed away in California at the age of 75 due to complications from diabetes.

“What an extraordinary loss. My good friend, Penny Marshall is gone—one in a million,” she told the “Today” show. “Utterly unique, a truly great talent. And, oh what fun we had! Can’t describe how I'll miss her.”

Publicity photo of Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall from the television show Laverne and Shirley. Public Domain

The two had a falling out of sorts back in the 1970s. According to “Today,” Williams told TV Guide in 1977 that Laverne’s character was getting the attention on the show. Williams left the show before it’s run ended in 1982. She had gotten pregnant and was slated to sign her next contract when she learned she would have to return to work exactly on her due date.

“I thought I was going to come back and they‘d hide (my baby bump) behind benches, couches, pillows, and that wasn’t it,” she said in 2015. “And I said, ’You know, I can’t sign this,'” she continued. “And it went back and forth and back and forth and it just never got worked out.”

The show ended the following year, but the two became friends. “We see each other all the time. We watch TV together. She likes to watch television in the Arctic, so she actually has jackets in her room,” she told Entertainment Tonight.

Other Reactions

Director Rob Reiner also tweeted he was “so sad” about Marshall’s death. The two were married between 1971 and 1981.

“I loved Penny,” he wrote. “I grew up with her. She was born with a great gift. She was born with a funnybone and the instinct of how to use it. I was very lucky to have lived with her and her funnybone.”

“Goodbye, Penny. Man, did we laugh a lot! Wish we still could. Love you. Hanx,” wrote Tom Hanks, who appeared in several of Marshall’s films, including “Big” and “A League of Their Own.”

Actress/filmmaker Penny Marshall, Henry Winkler and guest attend the 2014 Writers Guild Awards L.A. Ceremony at J.W. Marriott at L.A. Live on February 1, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for WGAw

“I’m terribly sad to hear the news about Penny passing. My heart goes out to Tracy Reiner and her family. Penny brought so much joy to so many and will be sorely missed. I will be forever grateful to her for letting me be a part of A League of Their Own,” wrote Geena Davis, who appeared in “A League of Their Own.”

“She was funny & so smart. She made the transition from sitcom star to A List movie director with ease & had a major impact on both mediums. All that & always relaxed, funny & totally unpretentious. I was lucky to have known & worked with her,” wrote Ron Howard.

“Penny Marshall was a sweet woman. I was very fortunate to spend time with her. So many laughs. She had a heart of gold. Tough as nails. She could play round ball with the best of them,” said Danny DeVito, who appeared in her film, “Renaissance Man.”