Penny Marshall dead at 75: ‘Big’ director died at home from diabetes

PENNY Marshall died at home today, aged 75, after suffering complications from diabetes.

The actress and director passed away at her home in the Hollywood Hills, according to TMZ.

Penny was best known for her role in US sitcom Laverne & Shirley - a Happy Days spin-off, directing Tom Hanks in Big as well as baseball comedy A League Of Their Own.

Born in New York City, Penny followed her older brother, the late writer/director Garry Marshall, to Los Angeles in 1967 to pursue her acting dreams.

Garry cast her in one of her very first screen roles, his 1968 film How Sweet It Is!, and also helped Penny earn a spot on hit TV series The Odd Couple, for which he became the executive producer in 1970.

Tributes poured in for the late star on Twitter, with Tom Hanks writing: "Goodbye, Penny. Man, did we laugh a lot! Wish we still could. Love you. Hanx."

Danny DeVito posted: "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. Always All love, D."

Russell Crowe shared: "Yesterday I held a Golden Gloves award from the 1930’s, given to me by Penny Marshall.

Hadn’t seen it in years. Then today’s news... Penny told me the story of Jim Braddock, which became the movie Cinderella Man. She was kind, she was crazy,so talented and she loved movies. RIP."

Other tributes read: "Awwww. RIP Penny Marshall.

"RIP Penny Marshall. ‘BIG’ is, and always will be one of my favorite movies ever. I cherish the fond memories of watching it often with my family. ❤️.

"Big is such an insane movie premise & it could have come off so poorly & cheaply in the wrong hands. Instead it makes me weep & is one of my favorites forever.

"That’s because of Penny Marshall. The first woman to direct a movie that grossed more than $100mil. I love you Penny 💔."

"Some people simply bring you joy. RIP #PennyMarshall. Nothing but smiles did you give to me. Thank you! #ShareLove."

During Laverne & Shirley's seven-year run from 1976-1983, Marshall achieved three Golden Globes Best Actress nominations for her role as Laverne DeFazio.

The comedy also starred Cindy Williams as DeFazio's roommate and workmate Shirley Feeney, and its third season became the most-watched show in the US.

Marshall's classic 1988 film Big, which saw Tom Hanks play a 12-year-old boy who wakes up as an adult after wishing he was "big", saw her become the first female director to gross $100million at the box office.

Her 1990 film Awakenings starred Robin Williams and Robert De Nero and was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.

In 2012 she released her autobiography My Mother Was Nuts and was pictured at the launch party with Mariah Carey.

Her final movie, the documentary Rodman, about the life of retired basketball star Dennis Rodman, is set for release next year.

The multi-talented star was married and divorced twice, to Michael Henry and Rob Reiner, respectively.

She is survived by her 54-year-old daughter Tracy.