Teri Garr, the Oscar-nominated actress celebrated for roles in Young Frankenstein, Tootsie and Mr. Mom, has died at 79, according to her manager.
Garr passed away Tuesday in Los Angeles, over 20 years after her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, her manager, Marc Gurvitz, told CNN. Garr publicly shared her diagnosis in 2002 to raise awareness, recalling how frightening it was to first hear the news after years of unexplainable symptoms.
Born to a Broadway performer and a Rockette, Garr grew up in Los Angeles, studying dance and auditioning soon after high school. Her early career included dance roles, including an appearance as an extra in Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas.
The 1970s were a breakout period for Garr. She appeared in shows like The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour and The Bob Newhart Show. Her big break came in 1974, playing Inga in Mel Brooks’ comedy Young Frankenstein.
In 1977, Garr starred in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, portraying a woman coping with her husband’s (Richard Dreyfuss) alien obsession. Her role as a struggling actress in Tootsie earned her a 1983 Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress. “The Academy not only knew I existed, they thought I was good!” she wrote in her 2005 memoir, Speedbumps.
Garr later appeared alongside Michael Keaton in Mr. Mom (1983) and played Phoebe’s mother in Friends. In a 2012 interview, she reflected on her career, noting her pride in roles that challenged gender stereotypes.
Garr continued acting in the 1990s with roles in Good & Evil, Good Advice, and Women of the House, and made appearances in Felicity, ER and Live with Bonnie. She also voiced roles in Batman Beyond and What’s New, Scooby-Doo?
Beyond acting, Garr was a passionate advocate for people living with MS.
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