Breaking News

Actress, director Penny Marshall dead at 75

FILE PHOTO: Actress Penny Marshall attends the 10th Annual TV Land Awards at the Lexington Avenue Armory on April 14, 2012 in New York City. Marshall died Dec. 17 at the age of 75.

Penny Marshall, the actress and director best known for "Laverne and Shirley," "A League of Their Own" and "Big," has died, her publicist confirmed to the New York Daily News. She was 75.

"Yes she did (die) … peacefully at her Hollywood Hills home," publicist Michelle Bega said. "She passed away form complications from diabetes."

If you want to receive BREAKING ALERTS, please download our WPXI News App.

"Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall," the Marshall family said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times.

Marshall rose to fame as Laverne DeFazio in the ABC sitcom "Laverne & Shirley," which aired from 1976-83. She also directed four episodes of the sitcom from 1979 to 1981, later making her theatrical directorial director in 1986's "Jumpin' Jack Flash." Although the film wasn't successful, the next one, "Big," made history. The 1988 Tom Hanks movie grossed more than $100 million -- the first for a female director.

Marshall went on to direct "A League of Their Own" in 1992 and "The Preacher's Wife" in 1996.

TRENDING NOW: