If you've spent an afternoon snivelling into the cuff of your dressing gown while watching Beaches, Pretty Woman or The Princess Diaries, then there's no doubt that you – like million others – were touched by the work of Garry Marshall.

The Hollywood actor, director and producer, who was responsible for some of the most romantic, touching and heartwrenching movies of our time, has passed away at the age of 81, and tributes are currently flooding in from stars around the world.

Credited for giving well-known actors their first big break, the Hollywood heavy-hitter broke into showbusiness in the late 1950s, began churning out hits – from the small screen to the silver – and continued for decades.

Devastated by the death of the much-loved movie-maker, actors and actresses have taken to social media in their droves to pay tribute to a man who began his career as a joke writer before becoming a writer on The Tonight Show in 1970.

From The Odd Couple and Mork and Mindy to Beaches and Pretty Woman, Garry Marshall is known for making his audience weep tears of laughter and sorrow, and will be sorely missed by those in the industry.
 

I lost a friend & mentor. We lost a beautiful man & masterful story teller. Gary Marshall I love you. I hope I get to go where you are.

— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) July 20, 2016

 

Our beloved Garry Marshall has passed. Our family will miss him so very much. RIP dear one. pic.twitter.com/F7y3RkLn1Z

— Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) July 20, 2016

 

I miss Garry already. He leaves a huge void for all who were lucky to be in his orbit. A great friend https://t.co/gGuDMSWmOS

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) July 20, 2016
 

GARRY MARSHALL Rest In Peace .. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty , friendship and generosity .

— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) July 20, 2016

Garry Marshall hired me at 15 years old. He gave my wife her start at 18, as a makeup artist. He changed our lives. And MANY others. #love

— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) July 20, 2016