Hollywood mourns 'Happy Days' creator Garry Marshall

Garry Marshall, who created and executive produced some of the most popular sitcoms on TV died Tuesday at 81.

The creator or producer behind Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, The Odd Couple and Mork & Mindy, as well as director of the box-office smash Pretty Woman, his most recent film was the April release Mother's Day.

Pretty Woman star Richard Gere remembered Marshall in a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter: "Garry, of course, was one of those truly important people one is blessed to meet in one's lifetime. Besides being the pulse and life force of Pretty Woman ... a steady helmsman on a ship that could have easily capsized ... he was a super fine and decent man, husband and father who brought real joy and love and infectious good spirits to every thing and everyone he crossed paths with. Everyone loved Garry. He was a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. He was Garry."

Celebrities react to Garry Marshall's death:

Julie Andrews, who starred in Marshall's 2001 film The Princess Diaries, said, "I'm devastated to hear of Garry's passing. He was a dear friend and colleague...generous to a fault. My heart goes out to Barbara and the entire family. We shall miss him."

Anson Williams, who played Potsie on Happy Days, said this of the TV creator: "Garry Marshall gave me the opportunity of many lifetimes and, more importantly, genuine love and friendship; a love that transcended far beyond show business. Garry's selfless nurturing of talent will be past on to future generations along with all that he has created. Two of my young daughters favorite TV show segment? The Odd Couple, "Hospital Mates," written by Garry Marshall ... Garry, you are forever with us and I love you."

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Don Most, who played Ralph on the series, added: "Garry was a uniquely creative force. It was a great pleasure and treat to see him work, and work with him. And on top of this, he was a warm and generous man, who always fostered a feeling of family with our cast. We lost a giant today."

He also helmed such movies as Young Doctors in Love (1982), The Flamingo Kid (1984), Nothing in Common (1986), Overboard (1987), Beaches (1988), Frankie and Johnny (1991), Dear God (1996), The Other Sister (1999), Runaway Bride (1999), The Princess Diaries (2001), Valentine's Day (2010) and New Year's Eve (2011).

Read More: Critic's Notebook: Garry Marshall Leaves a Legacy of Star Grooming and Storytelling

The prolific creator/producer/director left several fans behind who took to social media to mourn him.