Garry Marshall’s Evanston ties run deep. The acclaimed writer, producer and director graduated from Northwestern University in 1956. According to Northwestern’s historian, Kevin Leonard, who met Marshall on four occasions, “Marshall accredited much of the good in his life to the time he spent at Northwestern.”
Marshall donated many of his files and memorabilia to Northwestern. A new collection at the Northwestern University Library, 1970 Campus Drive, showcases this material. Exhibition viewing hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends, through Dec. 8.
Marshall, who died in 2016, was a giant among American entertainers. The collection’s abstract reads, in part, “Marshall is best known for creating hit sitcoms such as Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, as well as directing major films, including Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride and The Princess Diaries.”
All three of Marshall’s children and one of his grandchildren graduated from Northwestern (another grandchild is a current student).
Marshall’s wife Barbara and three children, Kathleen, Lori and Scott, all Northwestern alumni, regaled rapt listeners with family stories this past weekend.
In March 2015 when Leonard approached Marshall with the idea of donating his papers and memorabilia to the university, Marshall did not immediately agree. His initial reaction was more of mild incredulity, Leonard said.
“He [Marshall] asked, ‘Why would anyone want to look through my old files?'” Leonard said.
For scholars of sitcoms
Leonard explained that the files would be an important source for research and study on subjects like American culture and American comedy.
Northwestern has always had a strong presence in documenting the performing arts and the Garry Marshall Collection would be an impressive addition to an already strong section within the library, he said.
Marshall agreed and sent Leonard back to Evanston with a couple of cartons as a sign of good faith.
Marshall died in July 2016. In November 2022, Leonard, his wife and one assistant spent three full days in Marshall’s former office to pack up files, other memorabilia and ephemera. They shipped 88 boxes back to Evanston, a collection totaling 110 linear feet.
What did they pack up and ship? Marshall’s files contained correspondence, photos, scrapbooks and three-dimensional artifacts.
There were movie and television promotional posters, awards and audio visual materials. His bookshelves contained books that mention or include sections about Garry Marshall as well those he wrote. There were production documents, casting records, scripts (all versions, from first draft to final) and jokes he wrote when he was starting out.
Leonard packed up marketing and promotional materials from every production he was associated with as an actor, screenwriter, producer and director. There were test marketing materials as well from versions that never made it into distribution.
It has taken nearly two years, but the collection is now open. The full Garry Marshall archive is accessible for research by appointment.
The exhibition, which opened Nov. 3, will last through Dec. 8, the fall academic quarter.
Exhibit of Garry Marshall Collection now open to the public at NU is from Evanston RoundTable, Evanston's most trusted source for unbiased, in-depth journalism.