In this archival photo from November 15, 1977, Buck Henry and Teri Garr are seen attending the premiere of the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in New York. AP Photo
Teri Garr, the quirky actress best known for her roles in classic comedies like "Young Frankenstein" and "Tootsie," has died at the age of 79. She passed away from multiple sclerosis on Tuesday, surrounded by her family and friends, as confirmed by her publicist Heidi Schaeffer. Garr had faced numerous health challenges in recent years, including undergoing surgery in 2007 to fix an aneurysm.
Fans and admirers expressed their condolences on social media, celebrating her unique contributions to comedy. Paul Feig, a writer and director, called her "truly one of my comedy heroes," while screenwriter Cinco Paul remarked, "Never the star, but always shining. She made everything she was in better."
Garr’s journey into the entertainment world began early. Her father, Eddie Garr, was a well-known vaudeville comedian, and her mother, Phyllis Lind, was among the original Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Teri began taking dance lessons at the age of six and quickly advanced, dancing with both the San Francisco and Los Angeles ballet companies by her teenage years.
At just 16, she joined the road company of "West Side Story," and by 1963, she was landing small roles in films. Reflecting on her audition for "West Side Story," Garr once shared that after being rejected initially, she returned with a different outfit the next day and secured the role.
From there, Garr’s career took off as she danced in nine films starring Elvis Presley, including "Viva Las Vegas," "Roustabout," and "Clambake." She made her mark on television as well, featuring in iconic shows such as "Star Trek," "Batman," and "Dr. Kildare." She also appeared as a dancer on the hit music show "Shindig" and was part of "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour."
Her breakthrough came in 1974 when she starred alongside Gene Hackman in Francis Ford Coppola’s "The Conversation." This role led to an opportunity with Mel Brooks, who hired her for the memorable part of Gene Wilder’s assistant in "Young Frankenstein." Garr famously prepared for the role by learning a German accent from a wig maker named Renata.
In this photo taken in April 1987, American actress Teri Garr is pictured in Los Angeles, California. AP Photo
Critics praised Garr for her comedic talents, with New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael calling her "the funniest neurotic dizzy dame on the screen." She went on to star in several beloved films, including "Oh God!" alongside George Burns, "Mr. Mom," and "Tootsie," where she played the girlfriend of Dustin Hoffman’s character, who undergoes a drastic transformation to revive his acting career. She was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in "Tootsie," although the award went to her co-star Jessica Lange.
Though she was often typecast in comedy, Garr demonstrated her dramatic skills in films like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "The Black Stallion." She once expressed a desire to take on serious roles, saying, "I would like to play 'Norma Rae' and 'Sophie’s Choice,' but I never got the chance."
In the late 1980s, Garr began experiencing troubling symptoms in her right leg, which later spread to her arm. After years of living with the condition, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999 but chose to keep her illness private for fear it might harm her career. In a 2003 interview, she explained, "People hear MS and think, 'Oh, my God, the person has two days to live.'"
Once she decided to speak out about her condition, Garr became an advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, delivering humorous speeches to raise awareness. "You have to find your center and roll with the punches because that's a hard thing to do: to have people pity you," she said in 2005.
Throughout her career, Garr made memorable appearances on shows like "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and had a recurring role as Lisa Kudrow's mother on "Friends." She married contractor John O'Neil in 1993, and the couple adopted a daughter named Molly before divorcing in 1996.
In her autobiography, "Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood," Garr discussed her reluctance to reveal her age, recalling her father's advice: "Don't be in this business; it's the lowest. It's humiliating to people."
Teri Garr is survived by her daughter, Molly O'Neil, and a grandson, Tyryn. Her legacy as a beloved figure in comedy will be cherished by many.
