![TV Star & ‘Big’ Director, Penny Marshall, Has Died](http://townsquare.media/site/942/files/2018/12/GettyImages-463543358.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
TV Star & ‘Big’ Director, Penny Marshall, Has Died
Penny Marshall, who is best known for her role in the hit sitcom Laverne & Shirley, passed away last night (December 17) at her home in Hollywood, according to published reports.
Marshall was 75 years old. Her death is said to have been caused by diabetes-related complications.
Marshall starred in the sitcom that has transcended generations, Laverne & Shirley, from 1976-1983. Her character, Laverne Marie DeFazio, was known as a tough-talking tomboy.
Penny would also step behind the camera later in her career as well. Perhaps, achieving her greatest success when directed the 1988 Tom Hanks film, Big. It became the first feature film directed by a woman to gross over $100 million.
"Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall,” the family revealed to TMZ today. Penny was a tomboy who loved sports, doing puzzles of any kind, drinking milk and Pepsi together and being with her family."
Marshall guest starred in several projects in recent years including Nickelodeon's Sam & Cat, CBS' The Odd Couple (2016), and she narrated the opening scene of the 2016 film Mother's Day.
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