LOS ANGELES —
Teri Garr, the beloved and quirky comedy actor who transitioned from a background dancer in Elvis Presley films to becoming a co-star in iconic classics such as Young Frankenstein and Tootsie, has passed away at the age of 79.
Garr died Tuesday after a prolonged battle with multiple sclerosis, a struggle she faced along with various other health issues, as confirmed by her publicist Heidi Schaeffer. She spent her final moments “surrounded by family and friends,” highlighting the warmth of her loved ones during her last days. In January 2007, she underwent a critical operation to repair an aneurysm, marking the beginning of her health challenges.
Tributes poured in on social media as fans and colleagues remembered her fondly. Writer-director Paul Feig described her as “truly one of my comedy heroes. I couldn’t have loved her more,” while screenwriter Cinco Paul emphasized her invaluable contributions by stating, “Never the star, but always shining. She made everything she was in better.”
The actor, whose name was sometimes stylized as Terri, Terry, or Terry Ann, seemed destined for the world of entertainment right from her childhood. Her father, Eddie Garr, earned recognition as a popular vaudeville comedian, while her mother, Phyllis Lind, was one of the first high-kicking Rockettes at the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Their daughter took her first dance lessons at the tender age of 6 and, by just 14, was already performing with prestigious ballet companies in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
At 16, she seized the opportunity to join the road company of the legendary musical West Side Story in Los Angeles, marking the start of her illustrious journey. By 1963, she began to make her mark in the film industry, appearing in increasingly significant roles. In a candid interview from 1988, she recounted how her talent shone through when she earned her role in West Side Story. After initially being dismissed during her first audition, she returned a day later, donning different attire that ultimately won her a place in the production.
From there, the statuesque blonde Garr continually carved out a successful niche for herself, dancing in a chorus for nine of Elvis Presley’s films, including the famous Viva Las Vegas, Roustabout, and Clambake. She also graced numerous television shows like Star Trek, Dr. Kildare, and Batman, showcasing her versatility. As a featured dancer on the rock ‘n’ roll sensation show Shindig, along with performances in the landmark concert film T.A.M.I. and as a cast member of The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, she displayed her incredible range.
Her big break came with a pivotal role as Gene Hackman’s girlfriend in the 1974 Francis Ford Coppola thriller The Conversation. This significant role led to an interview with Mel Brooks, who was impressed with her performance and informed her that he would cast her as Gene Wilder’s German lab assistant in Young Frankenstein—if she could master a German accent.
Garr’s commitment to her craft was evident as she drew inspiration from her surroundings. “Cher had this German woman, Renata, making wigs, so I got the accent from her,” she fondly recalled. Her performance in the film solidified her status as a comedic force, with the esteemed New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael lauding her as “the funniest neurotic dizzy dame on the screen.”
Her infectious smile and unique charm allowed her to take on roles in memorable comedies such as Oh God! alongside George Burns and John Denver, and Mr. Mom as Michael Keaton’s wife. In Tootsie, she captured audience hearts as the girlfriend who loses Dustin Hoffman to Jessica Lange, perfectly showcasing her talent for blending laughter with poignant emotion.
Despite being primarily celebrated for her comedic prowess, Garr demonstrated her ability to handle dramatic roles in films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Black Stallion, and The Escape Artist. During her many Alex Reed appearances on NBC’s Late Night With David Letterman, she displayed a remarkable flair for spontaneous humor, often playing David Letterman’s playful foil. Their on-screen interactions were so entertaining that rumors of a romantic involvement circulated, with Letterman later acknowledging that her appearances played a crucial role in establishing the show’s early success.
It was during these vibrant years that Garr began to notice troubling symptoms in her right leg, which first appeared in 1983 and gradually extended to her right arm. By 1999, the severity of her condition necessitated a doctor’s consultation, leading to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis—a life-altering moment for the storied actor.
For the first three years following her diagnosis, Garr kept her illness private, revealing her fear of losing work opportunities. “People hear MS and think, ‘Oh, my God, the person has two days to live,'” she explained in a 2003 interview, reflecting on the stigma surrounding the disease. However, once she went public with her condition, she became a dedicated spokeswoman for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, delivering humorous yet heartfelt speeches at events across the U.S. and Canada.
“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 shared in 2005, expressing the emotional toll of living with the illness. “Just trying to explain to people that I’m OK is tiresome.” Even amid her struggles, Garr continued to act, making memorable appearances on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Greetings From Tucson, and Life With Bonnie. Her notable role as Lisa Kudrow’s mother on Friends was one of the highlights from her later career. After experiencing several failed romances, Teri Garr married contractor John O’Neill in 1993. Together, they adopted a daughter, Molly, before their divorce in 1996.
