I, along with millions of others, was a fan of Penny Marshall's antics on TV and her incredible talent as a director. However, the world wasn't aware of the fact that she was also an extremely talented cheer leader.

Years ago, when I came to California, I was honored to pitch in a softball competition for a team that consisted of actors, writers, producers, directors and one rabbi.

Backing me up on the field, as I recall, were actor (and soon to be award winning director) Rob Reiner, TV Director Peter Baldwin; Mickey Rose, a close friend who wrote "Take the Money and Run" and the classic "Bananas" with Woody Allen; an up-and-coming actor, Tom Selleck; producer, actor, director, writer, Garry Marshall; a Beverly Hills pharmacist wannabe actor, Michael Zaifert, a bit actor Neil Kaz....I can't recall the others.  Just so you know, I was the least qualified player on the field. At any rate, our first game was held at a Sherman Oaks park. As we were about to begin, two lovely and attractive cheer leaders appeared and started dancing and chanting for our team. One was Cindy Williams and the other Penny Marshall, sister of Garry. Who ever thought that I, Rabbi Jerry Cutler, would be slowball pitching for a celebrity packed baseball team whose cheer leaders would be the stars of a hit TV series? California was truly God's country!

Penny was a most gracious and funny person who excelled as a first-rate and highly sought after motion picture director. Her brother, who pre-deceased her, didn't do too bad either. Incidentally, Garry was an outstanding first baseman.

 

Our friend and member Patrice Zappa Porter is Frank's sister.