Henry Winkler Delivers Powerful Tribute to Garry Marshall at 2016 Emmys: "Thank You for Inviting Us Into Your Schoolyard"

Actor calls the director “one of the most beloved men in the history of our business"

By Mike Vulpo Sep 19, 2016 3:05 AMTags
Henry Winkler, 2016 Emmy AwardsKevin Winter/Getty Images

The 2016 Emmys wouldn't be complete without a tribute to the late Garry Marshall.

Fortunately, Henry Winkler was on-hand to deliver a powerful speech towards the director who helped create so many unforgettable series.

"Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy—I could talk endlessly about the career in television of the great Garry Marshall. I could mention his wonderful films, like Pretty Woman. But to mention him only as a creator of entertainment would leave out 90 percent of the reason Garry Marshall was one of the most beloved men in the history of our business," Henry shared at the Microsoft Theater. "He created effortlessly. He had an idea, he would give it some thought, and it would come out of his mind like a genie out of a bottle."

Henry continued, "But most importantly, he was a family man. He loved his wife Barbara, his children, his grandchildren. He was loyal. He had generosity of spirit and knowledge."

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Vince Bucci/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images

Before Tori Kelly would appear on stage to perform "Hallelujah" during the annual in memoriam segment, Henry explained how Garry had such a possible effect on so many people he worked with.

"I should know. He gave me my career. Anybody that was lucky enough to meet him changed their life," he shared. "Garry would always say, ‘Other people make important television. I make recess.' So, on behalf of all of us, thank you for inviting us into your schoolyard."

Garry passed away in July from complications of pneumonia following a stroke. He is survived by his three children, Kathleen, Scott and Lori, and wife Barbara Marshall.

Watch E!'s live 2016 Emmy Awards red carpet coverage starting at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, September 18th