They starred on the beloved sitcomLaverne & Shirleyfor eight seasons from 1976 to 1983, but Cindy Williams’ abrupt exit leftPenny Marshallsearching for answers.
“It was all insanity,” Marshall told the Archive of American Television in 2016 of Williams’ sudden exit from the show. “I was going out in front of the audience and they said, ‘What happened with Cindy?’ It was a drag. She said they didn’t want her back. There was all this garbage that was said, but no, it was [her husband]… I missed her not being there.”
Williams, who became pregnant with her first child with her husband at the time, Bill Hudson, told theTodayshow in 2015 that the departure had precedence.
While there was momentary strife in their friendship, the duo was quick to overcome their differences.
“It’s like an Italian family at a dinner table on Sunday and somebody doesn’t pass the celery properly,” CindytoldEntertainment Tonightin 2015. “There’s always going to be arguments.”
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And in the end, they all had one goal in mind.
“Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall,” her family said in a statement. “Penny was a girl from the Bronx, who came out West, put a cursive ‘L’ on her sweater and transformed herself into a Hollywood success story. We hope her life continues to inspire others to spend time with family, work hard and make all of their dreams come true.”
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In 1988, withBig, she became the first woman in Hollywood history to direct a movie that grossed more than $100 million at the box office. Two years later, her dramaAwakeningsearned a Best Picture nomination. And in 1992, she topped $100 million again withA League of Their Own.
“For me, it was just something to do,” Marshall said in 1996, reflecting on how she transitioned from acting to directing. “If I failed, I had my excuse: I was an actress, not a director.”
source: people.com
