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Acting Legend Teri Garr Dead at 79 After Devastating Health Battle

Teri Garr as Inga and Gene Wilder as Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein (1974)
Credit: 20th Century Fox

Tragic news coming out of Hollywood today. Acting icon Teri Garr, known for her roles in films like Young Frankenstein (1974) and Tootsie (1982) has died at the age of 79.

Teri Garr was born in 1944 in Ohio to a family deeply rooted in show business. Her father was a vaudeville performer, while her mother was a Rockette, contributing to a rich artistic upbringing that shaped Garr’s eventual career in entertainment. Growing up with two older brothers, she often found herself immersed in the performing arts, gaining early exposure to the world of acting and dancing.

Teri Garr in Tootsie

Credit: Columbia Pictures

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Garr began her journey in the entertainment industry as a dancer, appearing in several Elvis Presley films, including Viva Las Vegas (1964) and Clambake (1967). She trained diligently, focusing on ballet, but soon realized that her ambitions reached beyond mere chorus roles. Determined to step into the spotlight, Garr transitioned from dancing to pursuing acting, eventually auditioning for various roles in the television landscape of the 1960s.

Her early acting credits included guest appearances on popular TV shows such as Star Trek and That Girl. However, Garr’s breakthrough performance came in 1974 with her role as Inga in Mel Brooks’ classic comedy Young Frankenstein. Garr starred alongside Gene Wilder, who played Victor Frankenstein’s descendant, Frederick Frankenstein. Frederick ventures to his grandfather’s mansion, and gets an up close and personal look at Victor’s laboratory.

He then decides to continue his grandfather’s work, thinking that he has the medical knowledge to succeed. He is assisted by Inga (Garr) and Igor.

Teri Garr as Inga, Gene Wilder as Frederick Frankenstein, and Marty Feldman as Igor in Young Frankenstein

Credit: 20th Century Fox

Related: Iconic Actress and ‘The Notebook’ Star Gena Rowlands Dead at 94

Building on her success, Garr earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Tootsie (1982). In the film, she played Sandy, a neurotic actress dating Michael Dorsey, portrayed by Dustin Hoffman.

Throughout her career, Garr collaborated with several renowned directors, including Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, and Martin Scorsese. These collaborations further solidified her reputation in the film industry, as she contributed unforgettable performances in movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and The Conversation (1974). Her ability to work across genres made her a prominent figure in both comedic and dramatic cinema.

Teri Garr as Phoebe Abbott in Friends

Credit: Screenshot, ‘Friends’, NBC

Garr is also well-known for her role as Phoebe Abbott, the mother of Phoebe Buffay, on Friends. This character became iconic, as Garr’s comedic flair significantly influenced the creation of characters like Phoebe Buffay.

In 1999, Teri Garr’s life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This chronic illness not only posed significant personal challenges but also impacted her career trajectory.

In a 2002 interview with CNN, Garr openly discussed her fears about the diagnosis and the uncertainty it brought, stating that the lack of clear information about the disease left many feeling scared and alone.

“I think everybody is scared and frightened when they hear something like that. That’s because there’s so much – you know, there’s not a lot of information out there about it. And a lot of people don’t know that it’s not that bad. I mean, I’m going on with my life.”

Teri Garr in Young Frankenstein

Credit: 20th Century Fox

Following her diagnosis, Garr became an advocate for multiple sclerosis awareness and played a vital role in educating others about the disease. She participated in public speaking events and raised awareness through various initiatives, aiming to demystify the illness and support others facing similar challenges. Her efforts helped to shine a light on the struggles associated with multiple sclerosis, and she remained committed to this cause throughout her life.

In 1993, Garr married John O’Neil, and together, the couple adopted a daughter, Molly. Garr is survived by her daughter and grandson, Tyryn.

We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Teri Garr.

About Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

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