'He was thoughtful and sweet': Anne Hathaway remembers her Princess Diaries director Garry Marshall in loving tribute

Anne Hathaway starred in three Garry Marshall films - Princess Diaries, Princess Diaries 2 and Valentine's Day.

The 33-year-old actress remembered her mentor in a loving and lengthy Instagram post one day after the 81-year-old director's death on Tuesday from complications of pneumonia following a stroke.

Anne described Marshall as 'generous... kind beyond kind... thoughtful and sweet' and noted how the famed filmmaker 'left on a good night' under a full and brilliant moon.

Mourning her mentor: Anne Hathaway remembered her Princess Diaries director Garry Marshall in a moving Instagram post on Wednesday, one day after the filmmaker's death at age 81

'I met him when I was a child who thought she was a grown-up; he treated me with grace and patience and respect and always, always love,' Anne recalled.

She continued: 'Before we made the Princess Diaries, he told me “You never know if a movie is going to be a hit or not. The only thing you can control is the memories you make when shooting it. So, let’s make some good memories.”

'That advice changed my life even more than the film did.'

'Thank you for everythiing': The 33-year-old actress starred in three films with the famed director

Star is born: Anne starred in 2001's Princess Diaries with Julie Andrews and said Marshall 'treated me with grace and patience and respect and always, always love'

Anne let it be known she wasn't always a perfect princess on set.

'Garry loved my rough patches too, and forgave them before I even apologized,' the star wrote.

She went on: 'He looked on the bright side of every situation and was unfailingly warm and loving to everyone he met....

'I’m going to do my best to be just like you. I love you. Safe travels, my friend.'

Nobody's perfect: Anne let it be known she wasn't always a perfect princess on set, writing, 'Garry loved my rough patches too, and forgave them before I even apologized' 

Role model: Anne (pictured on May 23)described Garry as someone who 'looked on the bright side of every situation and was unfailingly warm and loving to everyone he met.... I’m going to do my best to be just like you'

Earlier on Wednesday, Anne posted a picture of Garry peering into the camera along with the caption: 'Heaven just got funnier. I love you Garry. Thank you for everything.'

Lindsay Lohan took to social media to share how Garry 'gave me an opportunity to be in the wonderful film "Georgia Rule" .. His beautiful family are so talented and Caring In so many ways. More than that, when people doubted me, he didn't.'

Added Lohan: 'He stood by me and for that I am forever grateful for another guardian angel in the heavens above.'

Making good memories: Anne starred in Garry's ensemble romantic comedy Valentine's Day alongside Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel (pictured in 2010)

'Guardian angel': Lindsay Lohan paid loving tribute to Marshall - her 'guardian angel' - in her own social media post on Wednesday

A constant loving presence: Kate Hudson remembered the late director (pictured last year) who passed away Tuesday of complications from pneumonia after a stroke

Kate Hudson wrote an emotional post about the man who has been as ubiquitous in her life as he has been in Hollywood.

Posting a picture of herself with the director on the set of ensemble cast film Mother's Day, which was released this year, Kate wrote: 'Garry and I were shooting Mother's Day this past year my children came to visit the set. I was behind a wall about to do a scene waiting for the very words that every working actor is quite used to, "and....ACTION!"

'Much to my pleasant surprise the voice booming from behind the wall was my son, Ryder. I couldn't help but smile and after we finished the scene both Garry and I shared a moment.

'We knew in an instant that so many things come full circle. That once upon a time that was me on his lap yelling ''ACTION'' for my mother and pa on Overboard in 1987. That in Garry's words in that moment, "The circle of life is an amazing thing isn't it..."'

'He loved, loved, loved': On Wednesday, Kate wrote and emotional post about the man who has been as ubiquitous in her life as he has been in Hollywood (pictured on the set of Mother's Day which was released earlier this year)

Full circle:The actress spoke about how she had sat in the director's lap as her mother Goldie Hawn (pictured 2004) filmed Overboard with Kurt Russell and how 30 years later her son Ryder sat in the same spot

While Mother's day was a flop, that moment was worth more than a sold out theatre to her, she continued: 'In that moment he was more than my director, he was family. That moment meant way more than any success of any film. 

'I looked around the set and saw faces I had known and seen since I was a little girl. In one flash of a moment there was so much recognition of how loyal, wonderful, kind, generous, funny and profound Garry was. He kept his loved ones close, he loved people, he loved making movies, he loved to laugh, he loved loved loved. And those of us who were fortunate to know him like this were so lucky.'

Garry also directed Kate in the 2004 movie Raising Helen and it was films with messages of hope that made Garry so important, the actress said.

All about family: The star (pictured with her mom and brother at the premiere of Overboard) said the late director impacted on all he met and all who saw his films, 'He kept his loved ones close, he loved people, he loved making movies, he loved to laugh, he loved loved loved. And those of us who were fortunate to know him like this were so lucky'

'He wanted peace and the importance of family and connection to be at the forefront of everything he did... He created things that made us feel good because he just wanted people around him to be happy.

'Once while shooting Raising Helen, I was reaching for a laugh. I didn't feel that a scene was going right and I wasn't hitting the joke and I was incredibly frustrated. He came over to me and gently held my hand and said, "Kate, sometimes we don't need to laugh, sometimes making us smile is even more important." 

'Garry wanted to see the world smile because he knew we all need more of that.'

Kate's mom Goldie also paid tribute to the man who had directed her and her longtime love Kurt Russell in the 1987 hit Overboard.

Goldie said of the late director: 'He was so special to our family and we will miss his gift of true joy and love! Thank you Gary for Overboard and all the films you made that had humanity, humour and goodness that lifted our spirits. God has you now. Rest dear one. We love you.'

Those films and shoes include Mork & Mindy starring Robin Williams, Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, Beaches and Valentine's Day.

Across Hollywood his death spurned emotional tributes especially for those who starred on the show he created, Happy Days.

Happy Days star Henry Winkler - who shot to fame playing Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli - said he owes Gary his career.

He wrote on Twitter: 'Garry Marshall Rest In Peace ... Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship and generosity. Larger than life, funnier than most, wise and the definition of friend.' 

'Larger than life, funnier than most, wise and the definition of friend.' Happy Days star Henry Winkler - who shot to fame playing Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli - said he owes Garry his career

Director Ron Howard, who also starred in Happy Days as Richie Cunningham, said he missed Gary already, writing: 'RIP #GarryMarshall whose humour & humanity inspired. He was a world class boss & mentor whose creativity and leadership meant a ton to me.

'Garry's mantra, to those who succeeded in entertainment was simple ... ''Life is more important that show business''. I miss Garry already. He leaves a huge void for all who were lucky to be in his orbit. A great friend.' 

Younger audiences know Garry's work most for The Princess Diaries films, a third installment of which he was in talks to do with stars Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews.

Prolific: The 81-year-old created the show Happy days while his first big screen success came with Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in 1990

Julie issued a statement to ET, expressing her deep sadness: 'I am devastated to hear of Garry's passing. He was a dear friend and colleague... generous to a fault, My heart goes out to [wife] Barbara and the entire family. We shall miss him.'

Ashton Kutcher, who starred in Gary's films Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve, also paid tribute, saying: '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.'

Garry, who was a former journalist, first found success in 1970 when he and his writing partner turned the Broadway show The Odd Couple into a TV series.

He made people happy: On Tuesday, Reese Witherspoon also paid tribute to the late icon

His first big screen success came with Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in 1990. The film was such a hit the pair reunited for Runaway Bride in 1999.

He also made appearances on screen in colourful supporting roles such as a casino boss in Albert Brooks' film Lost In America.

After news of Garry's death broke, Brooks wrote: 'R.I.P. Garry Marshall. A great, great guy and the best casino boss in the history of film. #lostinamerica.'

The funeral service will be private, but a memorial is being planned for his birthday on November 13.

Beloved: While Garry's funeral will be private, fans will have a chnace to celebrate his life during a public memorial on his birthday in November