Credit: Columbia PicturesThey say that laughter is the best medicine, and if there was someone who knew how to make us laugh, it was Teri Garr. Garr was a blonde bombshell who began her career at just 19 years old. However, she was so much more than just a pretty face. Her comedic timing and ability to deliver lines in the perfect way struck a chord with audiences around the world.
Over her decades-long career, the actress appeared in dozens of films and television shows. Audiences will remember her for her roles in films like Tootsie (1982) and Young Frankenstein (1974).
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Sadly, we have learned that Ms. Garr has passed away at just 79 years old.
According to Garr’s manager, the actress passed away due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis. She was diagnosed with the debilitating disease in 1999 when she was in her early 50s.
Three years after her diagnosis, she spoke to CNN about how scared she was when she first learned about her illness.
“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.”
Garr began her entertainment career as a dancer in nine Elvis Presley films, such as Viva Las Vegas (1964) and Clambake (1967). She transitioned from dancing to acting, landing small roles on shows like Dr. Kildare, Batman, Star Trek, That Girl, The Bob Newhart Show, and Maude.
She went on to star in some of the era’s biggest films, including The Conversation (1974), Mr. Mom (1983), Oh God! (1977), and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). However, her breakout role came as the alluring Inga in Young Frankenstein, alongside Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks.
Garr collaborated with several of the era’s most acclaimed directors. In addition to Mel Brooks, she worked with Steven Spielberg, Sydney Pollack, and Francis Ford Coppola, as well as Martin Scorsese on After Hours (1985) and Robert Altman in The Player (1992) and Prêt-à-Porter (1994). Her numerous television appearances included roles on M*A*S*H*, The Odd Couple, and The Bob Newhart Show.
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Garr also famously played Phoebe Abbott — the mother of Phoebe Buffay, in Friends. The role was particularly iconic because it was Garr and her comedic sense of style that really inspired characters like Phoebe Buffay in the first place.
Garr’s Multiple Sclerosis caused her to suffer from a brain aneurysm in 2006, and she was in a coma for a week. With some intense therapy, she was able to regain her speech and fine motor skills.
Garr married John O’Neil in 1993, but divorced in 1996. While together, they adopted a daughter, Molly.
She is survived by her daughter, Molly O’Neil, 30, and grandson Tyryn, 6.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Teri Garr.