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Whitney Houston: "Was Funny" and "Fun to Be Around," Says Preacher's Wife Director Penny Marshall

More from those who worked with and knew her well

By Marc Malkin Feb 12, 2012 5:57 PMTags
Penny Marshall, Whitney HoustonLester Cohen/WireImage

Penny Marshall has good reason to remember the Whitney Houston who the world fell in love with.

Marshall directed Houston in the 1996 movie, The Preacher's Wife, with Denzel Washington...

"We don't know what happened and I'm not going to guess about it," she told reporters last night just a few hours after Houston's death was announced. "I'm just sad, that's it. I'm sad and I love her."

Describing the late songstress as "a delight," Marshall held back tears as she said, "She was funny. She was fun to be around. She was great."

Marshall debated whether to go to Clive Davis' pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton. "I was going to stay home or come out to celebrate her life," Marshall said.

She decided to celebrate—even if it was with a heavy heart.