As far as TV producers go, they don’t get much more famous and iconic as Garry Marshall. Primarily known for being the series creator of Happy Days, his history in television goes all the way back to such legendary shows as The Tonight Show (with Jack Parr), The Dick Van Dyke Show, Make Room for Daddy, and The Lucy Show. Prior to creating Happy Days (via an episode of Love, American Style), he had also co-created The Odd Couple, and would go on to co-create Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy, among other less successful shows.
That’s a lot of TV. In fact my hand is tired from putting so many in bold typeface. As far as movies went, Garry Marshall was no stranger there either. He has a smattering of great credits in that medium as well, among them Nothing in Common (with Jackie Gleason and Tom Hanks), Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, and most recently New Years Day.
As far as I’m concerned, these credits justify not only my excitement about meeting him at the Hollywood Show on April 28, 2012 (as part of a Laverne & Shirley reunion), but my shelling out a mere $20 for a signed photo. Yes, it is obvious that he doesn’t need the money, but in this day and age, it seems that ego sometimes dictates charging exorbitant amounts. Not in this case. He was a nice and friendly guy and posed for a photo at no cost whatsoever.
My only complaint would be that he didn’t have any vintage photos or pictures of himself with the cast of his shows. It was either the recent photo that I ultimately chose or his book My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir. I always opt for the photos. I guess beggars can’t be choosers.
It was a pleasure and a thrill to get to meet such a talented force in television, and was an opportunity I assumed I’d never have. Anything is possible in Tinseltown, and he certainly made my day happy.
Celebrities of the Spring 2012 Hollywood Show will continue…
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