Penny Marshall, who brought the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League to the silver screen while producing “A League of Their Own” in 1992, has died. She was 75.
Marshall, one of the top-grossing female directors in Hollywood, died in her Hollywood Hills, California, home on Monday because of complications from diabetes, her publicist said.
We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Penny Marshall, director of “A League of Their Own.” pic.twitter.com/RITPLo5xN7
— MLB (@MLB) December 18, 2018
The #HOF remembers actor/director Penny Marshall, who brought the @AAGPBL heroes to life through “A League of Their Own”. Marshall, who visited the Hall of Fame in 2002, passed away on Monday. Photo: Milo Stewart Jr. pic.twitter.com/XwOfBa21PA
— Baseball Hall ⚾ (@baseballhall) December 18, 2018
The #AAGPBL Players Association are deeply saddened by the passing of #ALeagueofTheirOwn director, Penny Marshall.
The players are truly grateful for her & this film. Without it, the AAGPBL would still be “the best kept secret in baseball.” Thank you & we love you.
God bless pic.twitter.com/Ohm5cubjQs
— AAGPBL Official (@AAGPBL) December 18, 2018
“A League of Their Own” chronicled the Rockford Peaches and the launch of the AAGPBL during World War II. The cast included Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Lori Petty and Rosie O’Donnell, and the film grossed $107.5 million domestically.
Hanks’ reprimand from the movie — “There’s no crying in baseball!” — remains quoted on baseball diamonds everywhere.
Marshall, who made frequent courtside appearances at Lakers and Clippers games in Los Angeles over the years, starred in the ABC television hit “Laverne & Shirley” and, as a filmmaker, became the first woman to direct a film that grossed more than $100 million with “Big,” which also starred Hanks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.