Garry Marshall made an impact on several A-lister’s careers throughout his career, but Julia Roberts — who first worked with Garry on 1990’s Pretty Woman — was perhaps the most affected when the famed director passed away on July 19. A week later, the 48-year-old actress spoke out about Garry’s death, opening up about the “love” she shared with him.
“To know Garry Marshall was to love him,” Julia told People. “And I was luckier than most to have loved him for my entire adult life and luckier still to have been loved by him because his love was unconditional, inexhaustible and magical.”
Julia went on to talk about how Garry “raised” her because she grew up watching his famous shows Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy. Little did Julia know that just years later, Garry would be the one to catapult her acting career to super-stardom and change her life “in so many ways.”
“There is no way to put into words, brief or expounded, how I feel about Garry,” Julia added. “He held too big a place in my life and in my heart. He was a giant in every way.”
Julia Roberts: Pics Of Garry Marshall’s ‘Pretty Woman’
Garry passed away on July 19 after facing complications from pneumonia following a stroke. Despite being 81 years old, the illustrious career he had made for quite a sad time in Hollywood after he died. As the creator of Pretty Woman, Happy Days, Princess Diaries, and countless more classics, Garry had everyone from Anne Hathaway to John Stamos sending sweet messages upon the news of his death.
After Pretty Woman, Garry worked with Julia on other notable films like Runaway Bride, Valentine‘s Day and, most recently, Mother’s Day. If there’s anyone who knew the mark Garry made on the industry, it’s Julia, and she vocalized that in a beautiful way.
“For 10 years he made all who watched television laugh and learn and strive to be better, more open people. He taught us to be nice, that life could be simple and sweet and, most importantly, that friends and family were everything.” Julia continued, “I do believe, at a time when the world seems to suffer so deeply, we could all benefit from remembering Garry’s ideals and stories of kindness and honesty – how good we can be if we just try.”
HollywoodLifers, what do you think of Julia’s statement about Garry? Send your thoughts to his loved ones as they continue to mourn his tragic loss.