Watch Henry Winkler's emotional tribute to Garry Marshall at the Emmy Awards

Henry Winkler gave a moving tribute to the late Garry Marshall.

ABC Domestic Television

The "In Memoriam" portion of any awards show can be tough to watch. For those brief few minutes, we remember all the actors, producers, musicians and performers who touched our lives in one way or another.

But the mood was especially heavy at Sunday's 68th Annual Emmy Awards, after the passing of Garry Marshall this summer. 

The producers of the program recruited Henry Winkler to pay tribute to the legend. Frankly, we can't think of anyone better suited for the task. 

The Happy Days star and friend of Marshall opened the segment with this quote:

'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. He created effortlessly. He had an idea, he would give it some thought, and it would come out of his mind like a genie in a bottle. 

Winker's speech reflected on Marshall's character and why he was so revered by his colleagues and peers, calling the late director loyal, generous and kind. Winkler also commented on his many achievements. 

Although Marshall created some of the most popular television shows of all time in the 1970s, he never won an Emmy Award. Despite that, the ceremony Sunday made sure to honor Marshall with a show-stopping tribute fitting for someone so influential. 

Winkler closed out the segment with this poingnant quote:

Garry would always say, 'Other people make important television. I make recess...' So on behalf of all of us, Garry, thank you for inviting us into the schoolyard. 

The "In Memoriam" segment followed, featuring tributes to Morley Safer, Doris Roberts and Garry Shandling.  

Marshall passed away last July from pneumonia following a stroke at the age of 81. His final film, Mother's Day, premiered two months prior to his death. Marshall is survived by his wife and three children. 

You can watch a clip from Winkler's tribute below, courtesy The Hollywood Reporter

People we have lost in 2016

GARRY MARSHALL

The creator of Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley passed away at 81. READ MORE

Top image: AP Photo / Nick Ut

PATTY DUKE

Patty Duke, the award-winning actress best known for playing cousins on her eponymous TV show in the 1960s, passed away at the age of 69. READ MORE

Image: Everett Collection

BETH HOWLAND FROM 'ALICE'

Beth Howland, best known as the klutzy waitress Vera Louise Gorman on the hit '70s sitcom Alice, passed away on New Year's Eve at the age of 74. Her death was reported months later. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

MIKE MINOR OF 'PETTICOAT JUNCTION'

The character of Steve Elliott crashed into Petticoat Junction at the start of season four — literally. The pilot played by Mike Minor wrecked his biplane next to the train tracks as the three girls were bathing in their water tower. READ MORE

WILLIAM SCHALLERT OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'

Best known as Martin Lane, the father on The Patty Duke Show, Schallert died in California at the age of 93. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

ROBERT HORTON OF 'WAGON TRAIN'

Robert Horton, who played Flint McCullough in the popular Western series Wagon Train, passed away at the age of 91. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo

MICHU MESZAROS OF 'ALF'

Michu Meszaro, the 2-foot-9-inch man who once portrayed ALF, died at the age of 76. READ MORE

Image: Warner Bros. Television

ANN MORGAN GUILBERT OF 'THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW'

Ann Morgan Guilbert, known for her memorable roles on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Nanny, and seen recently on CBS' Life in Pieces, died at age 87. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

RONNIE CLAIRE EDWARDS OF 'THE WALTONS'

Ronnie Claire Edwards, best known as Corabeth Walton on The Waltons, died at the age of 83. READ MORE

Image: Warner Bros. Television

THERESA SALDANA FROM 'THE COMMISH'

Theresa Saldana, best known for playing the commissioner's wife on the '90s cop drama The Commish, passed away at the age of 61. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

FRANK SINATRA, JR.

The son of Ol' Blue Eyes passed away at 72. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo

EARL HAMNER, JR., CREATOR OF 'THE WALTONS' AND 'FALCON CREST'

Earl Hamner, Jr., best known for creating the popular television series The Waltons, passed away at the age of 92. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

BUCK KARTALIAN FROM 'PLANET OF THE APES'

Buck Kartalian, best known for his role as Julius in the original Planet of the Apes film, passed away at the age of 93. READ MORE

Images: 20th Century Fox, MGM

JOE SANTOS OF 'THE ROCKFORD FILES'

Joe Santos, best known as Sergeant Dennis Becker on the drama series The Rockford Files, passed away at the age of 84. READ MORE

DORIS ROBERTS, 'RAYMOND' MOM AND 'REMINGTON STEELE' STAR

Doris Roberts, beloved mother on Everybody Loves Raymond, died of natural causes at the age of 90.

Image: AP Photo/Laura Rauch

JANET WALDO, VOICE OF JUDY JETSON ON 'THE JETSONS'

Janet Waldo, who entertained children and adults alike as the voice of Judy Jetson on the animated series The Jetsons, died at the age of 96. READ MORE

Images: center, the Everett Collection; animation, Hanna-Barbera

PETER BROWN, STAR OF 'LAWMAN,' 'LAREDO' AND SOAPS

Born Pierre Lind de Lappe in New York City, Peter Brown became a star of many genres, filling his resumé with Westerns, Disney movies, explotation flicks and soap operas in his many decades of working. READ MORE

Image: Brown on Lawman, Wikimedia Commons

MADELEINE SHERWOOD, MOTHER SUPERIOR ON 'THE FLYING NUN'

Sherwood portrayed Reverend Mother Superior Placido on The Flying Nun. She passed at the age of 93. READ MORE

Image: Sony Pictures Television

GEORGE KENNEDY, STAR OF 'COOL HAND LUKE,' 'AIRPORT' AND 'THE NAKED GUN'

George Kennedy, who won an Academy Award for his role alongside Paul Newman in 1967's Cool Hand Luke, passed away in Boise, Idaho. He was 91. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo

MARTIN E. BROOKS OF 'THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN' AND 'HUNTER'

In 1977, Martin E. Brooks accomplished what no other actor had at that point — he appeared as the same character on two different television networks. READ MORE

SYLVIA ANDERSON, CO-CREATOR OF 'THUNDERBIRDS' AND 'SPACE: 1999'

Co-creator and puppeteer of Thunderbirds, Anderson died at her home at the age of 88. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo / LYNNE SLADKY

RICHARD DAVALOS OF 'EAST OF EDEN'

The former roommate of James Dead died at the age of 85. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

GEORGE GAYNES OF 'POLICE ACADEMY' AND 'PUNKY BREWSTER'

George Gaynes, the star of cult '80s classics like Punky Brewster and Police Academy, died at the age of 98. READ MORE

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

GARRY SHANDLING, COMIC AND STAR OF 'THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW'

The legendary comedian died at the age of 66. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection 

RET TURNER, EMMY-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER FOR CAROL BURNETT AND CHER

Ret Turner, one of the most sought after costume designers in television history, passed away at the age of 88. READ MORE

Image: Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

JOE ALASKEY, VOICE OF BUGS BUNNY AND DAFFY DUCK

The Looney Tunes voice actor died at the age of 63. READ MORE

Image: IMDB

KEN HOWARD, STAR OF 'THE WHITE SHADOW'

The former basketball star also appeared on 30 Rock. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo/Lee Celano

PAT HARRINGTON, JR. OF 'ONE DAY AT A TIME'

Along with Bonnie Franklin and Valerie Bertinelli, Pat Harrington, Jr., was one of just three actors to appear on One Day at a Time for the sitcom's entire run, from 1975 to 1984. READ MORE

Image: Sony Pictures Television

ALAN YOUNG OF 'MR. ED'

Wilbur from Mr. Ed was the voice behind some of our favorite animated characters. READ MORE

Image: Associated Press

JAMES NOBLE OF 'BENSON'

The actor passed away at 94. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

STUART NISBET, WHO APPEARED IN (ALMOST) EVERY TV SHOW

Stuary Nisbet, who appeard in over 120 of our favorite TV shows, passed away at 82. READ MORE

WAYNE ROGERS, TRAPPER JOHN OF 'M*A*S*H'

Wayne Rogers died on December 31, 2015, at the age of 82. READ MORE

FYVUSH FINKEL OF 'PICKET FENCES'

The Yiddish Theater Mainstary died at the age of 93. READ MORE

BARRY JENNER OF 'FAMILY MATTERS' AND 'STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE'

The actor best known as Lt. Murtaugh and Admiral Ross died at 75. READ MORE

  • GARRY MARSHALL
  • PATTY DUKE
  • BETH HOWLAND FROM 'ALICE'
  • MIKE MINOR OF 'PETTICOAT JUNCTION'
  • WILLIAM SCHALLERT OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'
  • ROBERT HORTON OF 'WAGON TRAIN'
  • MICHU MESZAROS OF 'ALF'
  • ANN MORGAN GUILBERT OF 'THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW'
  • RONNIE CLAIRE EDWARDS OF 'THE WALTONS'
  • THERESA SALDANA FROM 'THE COMMISH'
  • FRANK SINATRA, JR.
  • EARL HAMNER, JR., CREATOR OF 'THE WALTONS' AND 'FALCON CREST'
  • BUCK KARTALIAN FROM 'PLANET OF THE APES'
  • JOE SANTOS OF 'THE ROCKFORD FILES'
  • DORIS ROBERTS, 'RAYMOND' MOM AND 'REMINGTON STEELE' STAR
  • JANET WALDO, VOICE OF JUDY JETSON ON 'THE JETSONS'
  • PETER BROWN, STAR OF 'LAWMAN,' 'LAREDO' AND SOAPS
  • MADELEINE SHERWOOD, MOTHER SUPERIOR ON 'THE FLYING NUN'
  • GEORGE KENNEDY, STAR OF 'COOL HAND LUKE,' 'AIRPORT' AND 'THE NAKED GUN'
  • MARTIN E. BROOKS OF 'THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN' AND 'HUNTER'
  • SYLVIA ANDERSON, CO-CREATOR OF 'THUNDERBIRDS' AND 'SPACE: 1999'
  • RICHARD DAVALOS OF 'EAST OF EDEN'
  • GEORGE GAYNES OF 'POLICE ACADEMY' AND 'PUNKY BREWSTER'
  • GARRY SHANDLING, COMIC AND STAR OF 'THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW'
  • RET TURNER, EMMY-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER FOR CAROL BURNETT AND CHER
  • JOE ALASKEY, VOICE OF BUGS BUNNY AND DAFFY DUCK
  • KEN HOWARD, STAR OF 'THE WHITE SHADOW'
  • PAT HARRINGTON, JR. OF 'ONE DAY AT A TIME'
  • ALAN YOUNG OF 'MR. ED'
  • JAMES NOBLE OF 'BENSON'
  • STUART NISBET, WHO APPEARED IN (ALMOST) EVERY TV SHOW
  • WAYNE ROGERS, TRAPPER JOHN OF 'M*A*S*H'
  • FYVUSH FINKEL OF 'PICKET FENCES'
  • BARRY JENNER OF 'FAMILY MATTERS' AND 'STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE'
  • GARRY MARSHALL
  • PATTY DUKE
  • BETH HOWLAND FROM 'ALICE'
  • MIKE MINOR OF 'PETTICOAT JUNCTION'
  • WILLIAM SCHALLERT OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'
  • ROBERT HORTON OF 'WAGON TRAIN'
  • MICHU MESZAROS OF 'ALF'
  • ANN MORGAN GUILBERT OF 'THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW'
  • RONNIE CLAIRE EDWARDS OF 'THE WALTONS'
  • THERESA SALDANA FROM 'THE COMMISH'
  • FRANK SINATRA, JR.
  • EARL HAMNER, JR., CREATOR OF 'THE WALTONS' AND 'FALCON CREST'
  • BUCK KARTALIAN FROM 'PLANET OF THE APES'
  • JOE SANTOS OF 'THE ROCKFORD FILES'
  • DORIS ROBERTS, 'RAYMOND' MOM AND 'REMINGTON STEELE' STAR
  • JANET WALDO, VOICE OF JUDY JETSON ON 'THE JETSONS'
  • PETER BROWN, STAR OF 'LAWMAN,' 'LAREDO' AND SOAPS
  • MADELEINE SHERWOOD, MOTHER SUPERIOR ON 'THE FLYING NUN'
  • GEORGE KENNEDY, STAR OF 'COOL HAND LUKE,' 'AIRPORT' AND 'THE NAKED GUN'
  • MARTIN E. BROOKS OF 'THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN' AND 'HUNTER'
  • SYLVIA ANDERSON, CO-CREATOR OF 'THUNDERBIRDS' AND 'SPACE: 1999'
  • RICHARD DAVALOS OF 'EAST OF EDEN'
  • GEORGE GAYNES OF 'POLICE ACADEMY' AND 'PUNKY BREWSTER'
  • GARRY SHANDLING, COMIC AND STAR OF 'THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW'
  • RET TURNER, EMMY-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER FOR CAROL BURNETT AND CHER
  • JOE ALASKEY, VOICE OF BUGS BUNNY AND DAFFY DUCK
  • KEN HOWARD, STAR OF 'THE WHITE SHADOW'
  • PAT HARRINGTON, JR. OF 'ONE DAY AT A TIME'
  • ALAN YOUNG OF 'MR. ED'
  • JAMES NOBLE OF 'BENSON'
  • STUART NISBET, WHO APPEARED IN (ALMOST) EVERY TV SHOW
  • WAYNE ROGERS, TRAPPER JOHN OF 'M*A*S*H'
  • FYVUSH FINKEL OF 'PICKET FENCES'
  • BARRY JENNER OF 'FAMILY MATTERS' AND 'STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE'

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