Penny Marshall, the groundbreaking director and actress best known for producing and starring in Laverne & Shirley and directing Awakenings and The Odd Couple II, died on November 17, 2018. Her death was attributed to complications from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) and respiratory failure contributing. Marshall was 75. This verified explainer outlines the reported medical conditions, their progression, and the clinical context, relying on authoritative sources and medically accepted definitions to provide clear, enduring context.
