Biography for
Penny Marshall

Birth name
Carole Penny Marshall
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Height
5' 6" (1.68 m)
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Mini biography
Penny Marshall was born Carole Penny Marshall in the Bronx, New York, on October 15, 1942. The Libra is 5'6 1/2" with brown hair and green eyes. Born to parents Marjorie Ward and Anthony "Tony" Marshall (he changed his last name from Marschiarelli after his family moved to the states), she is the younger sister of Garry Marshall and Ronny Hallin.

Penny was known in her family as "the bad one"... because not only did she walk on the ledge of her family's apartment building, but she snuck into the movies as a child and even dated a guy named "Lefty." She attended a private girls' high school in New York and then went to the University of New Mexico for 2 1/2 years. There, Penny got pregnant with daughter, Tracy Reiner, and soon after married the father, Michael Henry, in 1961. The couple divorced two years later in 1963. She worked as a secretary for awhile. Her first film debut came from her brother Garry Marshall, who put her in the movie How Sweet It Is! (1968) with the talented Debbie Reynolds and James Garner. She also did a dandruff commercial with Farrah Fawcett - the casting people, of course, giving Farrah the part of the "beautiful girl" and Penny the part of the "plain girl." This only added to Penny's insecurity with her looks.

She then married Rob Reiner on April 10, 1971, shortly after getting her big TV break as Oscar Madison's secretary, Myrna Turner, on "The Odd Couple" (1970). She also played Mary Richards' neighbor, Paula Kovacks, on "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970) for a couple of episodes. However, her "Laverne & Shirley" (1976) fame came when her brother needed two women to play "fast girls" who were friends of Arthur Fonzarelli and would date Fonzie and Richie Cunningham on "Happy Days" (1974). Penny had been working on miscellaneous writing projects ("My Country Tis Of Thee", a bicentennial spoof for Francis Ford Coppola and "Paper Hands" about the Salem Witch Trials) with writing partner Cindy Williams. Cindy happened to be a friend and ex-girlfriend of Henry Winkler's, so Garry asked the two to play the parts of these girls. The audience saw their wonderful chemistry, and loved them so much, a spin-off was created for them.

Penny was well-known as Laverne DeFazio. She and Rob had a terrible divorce in 1980. The show ended three years later, half a year after Cindy Williams left the show due to pregnancy (her first baby, Emily, from now ex-husband Bill Hudson)... they wanted Williams to work the week she was supposed to deliver.

Soon after, Penny began directing such films as Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), Big (1988) and A League of Their Own (1992). Her hobbies include needlepoint, jigsaw puzzles and antique shopping. She is best friends with actress Carrie Fisher and is godmother to Carrie's daughter, Billie.


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IMDb mini-biography by
Ashley Phipps <LavernShrl@aol.com>
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Spouse
Rob Reiner (10 April 1971 - 1979) (divorced)
Michael Henry (1961 - 1963) (divorced) 1 child

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Trivia
First female to direct a movie that grossed over 100 million dollars

She was one of 4 finalists considered for the role of Gloria Bunker/Stivic on "All in the Family" (1971). Had she won the role, she would have played opposite her real life boyfriend, and later husband (now ex-husband), Rob Reiner.

Sister of Garry Marshall and Ronny Hallin.

Daughter of Anthony W. Marshall

Made a rare public appearance at the Hollywood Collectors Show in North Hollywood, California with fellow "Laverne & Shirley" (1976) castmates. There, she greeted fans and signed autographs. [October 2002]

Mother of Tracy Reiner.



Aunt of Penny Lee Hallin, Judy Hallin, Wendy S. Hallin, Lori Marshall, Kathleen Marshall and Scott Marshall.

Penny is an avid collector of sports memorabilia and has quite an extensive collection of baseballs, footballs and basketballs autographed by top athletes.

Her mother agreed to send her to University of New Mexico because she thought it was close to her home in New York.

TV's Greatest Sidekicks (2004) (TV) .... Host
Stateside (2004) (uncredited) .... Lt. Chevetone
... aka Sinners (Germany)
Entertainment Tonight Presents: Laverne and Shirley Together Again (2002) (TV) .... Laverne De Fazio


Special Delivery (1999/I)
The Odd Couple: Together Again (1993) (TV) .... Myrna
Hocus Pocus (1993) (uncredited) .... Master's Wife
The Hard Way (1991) .... Angie, Nick's Agent


Challenge of a Lifetime (1985) (TV) .... Nora Schoonover
Movers & Shakers (1985) .... Reva
Love Thy Neighbor (1984) (TV) .... Linda
"The Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley with the Fonz Show" (1982) TV Series (voice) .... Laverne
"Laverne and Shirley in the Army" (1981) TV Series (voice) .... Laverne DeFazio
... aka Laverne & Shirley (USA: short title)


1941 (1979) (uncredited) .... Miss Fitzroy
More Than Friends (1978) (TV) .... Matty Perlman
... aka Love Me and I'll Be Your Best Friend
The Barry Manilow Special (1977) (TV)
"Laverne & Shirley" (1976) TV Series .... Laverne DeFazio
... aka Laverne & Shirley & Company (USA: syndication title)
... aka Laverne & Shirley & Friends (USA: syndication title)
Let's Switch! (1975) (TV) .... Alice Wright
How Come Nobody's on Our Side? (1975) .... Theresa
"Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers" (1974) TV Series .... Janice Dreyfuss
... aka Friends and Lovers (USA)
... aka The Paul Sand Show (USA)
"The Bob Newhart Show" (1972) TV Series .... Miss Larson (1972-73)
The Couple Takes a Wife (1972) (TV) .... Paula
The Crooked Hearts (1972) (TV) .... Waitress
Evil Roy Slade (1972) (TV) .... Bank Teller
"The Odd Couple" (1970) TV Series .... Myrna Turner (1971-1975)
The Feminist and the Fuzz (1971) (TV) .... Liberation Lady
Wacky Zoo of Morgan City (1970) (TV) .... Mayor's Secretary
The Grasshopper (1970) .... Plaster Caster
... aka Passions (USA: video title)
... aka The Passing of Evil


How Sweet It Is! (1968) .... Tour Girl
The Savage Seven (1968) .... Tina



Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Director, Miscellaneous Crew, Herself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Producer - filmography
(In Production) (2000s) (1990s)

Cinderella Man (2005) (completed) (producer)


Bewitched (2005) (producer)
Crossover (2004) (TV) (executive producer)
Risk (2003) (producer)


With Friends Like These... (1998) (producer)
Getting Away with Murder (1996) (producer)
Renaissance Man (1994) (executive producer)
... aka Army Intelligence
... aka By the Book
Calendar Girl (1993) (executive producer)
"A League of Their Own" (1993) TV Series (producer)
A League of Their Own (1992) (executive producer)
Awakenings (1990) (executive producer)



Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Director, Miscellaneous Crew, Herself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Director - filmography
(2000s) (1990s) (1980s) (1970s)

Riding in Cars with Boys (2001)


The Preacher's Wife (1996)
Renaissance Man (1994)
... aka Army Intelligence
... aka By the Book
"A League of Their Own" (1993) TV Series (episode "Dottie's Back")
A League of Their Own (1992)
Awakenings (1990)


Big (1988)
Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986)


"Working Stiffs" (1979) TV Series
"Laverne & Shirley" (1976) TV Series
... aka Laverne & Shirley & Company (USA: syndication title)
... aka Laverne & Shirley & Friends (USA: syndication title)



Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Director, Miscellaneous Crew, Herself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Miscellaneous Crew - filmography

Fathers of the Sport (2005) (pre-production) (consultant)



Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Director, Miscellaneous Crew, Herself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Herself - filmography
(2000s) (1990s) (1980s) (1970s)

Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live (2005) (TV) .... Herself
Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion (2005) (TV) .... Herself
"TV Land Moguls" (2004) (mini) TV Series .... Herself
Intimate Portrait: Rosie O'Donnell (2003) (TV) .... Herself
Intimate Portrait: Penny Marshall (2003) (TV) .... Herself
ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003) (TV) .... Herself
TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV (2003) (TV) .... Herself
... aka 1st Annual TV Land Awards (USA: short title)
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Tom Hanks (2002) (TV) .... Herself
TVography: Laverne & Shirley (2001) (TV) .... Herself
Intimate Portrait: Cindy Williams (2001) (TV) .... Herself


Jackie's Back! (1999) (TV) .... Herself
... aka Jackie's Back: Portrait of a Diva (USA)
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary (1999) (TV) .... Herself - Audience Member
One Vision (1998) .... Herself
Get Shorty (1995) (uncredited) .... Herself (Director)
Carrie Fisher: The Hollywood Family (1995) (TV) .... Herself
The Laverne & Shirley Reunion (1995) (TV) .... Herself


Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary (1989) (TV) (uncredited) .... Herself - Audience Member
She's Having a Baby (1988) (uncredited) .... Herself
Night of 100 Stars (1982) (TV) .... Herself


General Electric's All-Star Anniversary (1978) (TV)
Circus of the Stars #2 (1977) (TV)
Battle of the Network Stars III (1977) (TV) .... Herself (ABC Team contestant)
Battle of the Network Stars II (1977) (TV) .... Herself (ABC Team)
Battle of the Network Stars (1976) (TV) .... Herself (ABC Team)



Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Director, Miscellaneous Crew, Herself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Archive Footage


Saturday Night Live Christmas (1999) (V) .... Theresa DeCastiglione
Filmography as: Actress, Producer, Director, Miscellaneous Crew, Herself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances

Notable TV Guest Appearances

"The Tony Danza Show" playing "Herself" (episode # 1.91) 28 January 2005
"The Tony Danza Show" playing "Herself" (episode # 1.85) 20 January 2005
"The Tony Danza Show" playing "Herself" (episode # 1.26) 18 October 2004
"The Wayne Brady Show" playing "Herself" 19 April 2004
"I'm with Her" playing "Herself" in episode: "The Kid Stays in the Picture" (episode # 1.12) 13 January 2004
"Frasier" playing "Celeste" (voice) in episode: "Frasier-Lite" (episode # 11.12) 6 January 2004
"Mad TV" playing "Herself" (episode # 7.5) 10 November 2001
"Nash Bridges" playing "NYPD Detective" in episode: "Skin Deep" (episode # 3.16) 27 February 1998
"The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing "Herself" 25 February 1998
"The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing "Herself" 17 September 1997
"The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing "Herself" 27 May 1997
"The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing "Herself" 20 February 1997
"Saturday Night Live" playing "Various" (episode # 22.9) 14 December 1996
"The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing "Herself" 6 December 1996
"The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing "Herself" 11 June 1996
"Carrie on Hollywood" playing "Herself" in episode: "Live and love in La-la land" (episode # 1.1)
"The Howard Stern Show" playing "Herself" 18 July 1992
"The Simpsons" playing "Ms. Lucille 'Botz' Botzcowski" (voice) in episode: "Some Enchanted Evening" (episode # 1.13) 13 May 1990
"This Is Your Life" playing "Herself" in episode: "Garry Marshall" 21 April 1984
"Taxi" playing "Herself" in episode: "Louie Moves Uptown" (episode # 5.13) 22 January 1983
"Bosom Buddies" playing "Herself" in episode: "Cablevision" (episode # 2.11) 22 January 1982
"Happy Days" playing "Laverne DeFazio" in episode: "Shotgun Wedding: Part 1" (episode # 7.1) 11 September 1979
"Happy Days" playing "Laverne DeFazio" in episode: "Fonzie's Funeral: Part 2" (episode # 6.23) 27 February 1979
"Mork & Mindy" playing "Laverne De Fazio" in episode: "Pilot" (episode # 1.1) 14 September 1978
"Saturday Night Live" playing "Various" (episode # 2.14) 20 February 1977
"Happy Days" playing "Laverne DeFazio" in episode: "Fonzie the Superstar" (episode # 3.19) 27 January 1976
"Mary Tyler Moore" playing "Paula" in episode: "Menage-a-Lou" (episode # 6.19) 24 January 1976
"Happy Days" playing "Laverne DeFazio" in episode: "Football Frolics" (episode # 3.18) 20 January 1976
"Happy Days" playing "Laverne DeFazio" in episode: "The Second Anniversary Show" (episode # 3.17) 12 January 1976
"Happy Days" playing "Laverne DeFazio" in episode: "A Date with Fonzie" (episode # 3.10) 11 November 1975
"Saturday Night Live" playing "Herself" (episode # 1.3) 25 October 1975
"Chico and the Man" playing "Anita" in episode: "Chico and the Van" (episode # 2.6) 17 October 1975
"Mary Tyler Moore" playing "Paula" in episode: "Murray in Love" (episode # 6.4) 4 October 1975
"Mary Tyler Moore" playing "Toni" in episode: "I Was a Single for WJM" (episode # 4.24) 2 March 1975
"Banacek" playing "Receptionist" in episode: "The Greatest Collection of Them All" (episode # 1.7) 24 January 1973
"Barefoot in the Park" in episode: "In Sickness and in Health" (episode # 1.4) 15 October 1970
"Love, American Style" in episode: "Love and the Pick-Up" (episode # 1.14b) 5 January 1970
"That Girl" playing "Joan" in episode: "Fix My Screen and Bug Out" (episode # 4.10) 20 November 1969
"Then Came Bronson" playing "Claire" in episode: "The Runner" (episode # 1.1) 17 September 1969
"That Girl" playing "Assistant Librarian" in episode: "Secret Ballot" (episode # 3.6) 31 October 1968