Teri Garr Dies

She was a beautiful, versitle dancer, actress, and comedian in film and television.

Teri Garr, born December 11, 1944, in Lakewood, Ohio, is an American actress and comedian celebrated for her comedic timing and versatile performances in film and television. Raised in a show-business family—her father Eddie Garr was a vaudeville performer and comedian, and her mother, Phyllis Lind Garr, a wardrobe mistress and model—she was exposed to the entertainment industry from a young age.

After her father’s death when she was young, Garr and her family moved to Los Angeles, where she pursued dance and acting. She attended North Hollywood High School and later studied at California State University, Northridge, and the Actors Studio, where she honed her craft in both performance and comedy. Garr began her entertainment career as a dancer, performing in movies like Viva Las Vegas (1964), where she appeared alongside Elvis Presley. Her film debut came with a small role in A Swingin’ Affair (1963),

and she continued with minor parts in films and television shows, including Shindig! and Batman. However, her breakthrough role came with Mel Brooks’ comedy Young Frankenstein (1974), in which she starred as the endearingly naïve Inga. This performance showcased her comedic talent, leading to more prominent roles in films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and The Black Stallion (1979).

Her career continued to rise with the 1982 comedy-drama Tootsie, where her performance as Dustin Hoffman’s witty and supportive actress friend earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. This role cemented her status as a talented comedic actress in Hollywood. In addition to film, Garr has appeared in numerous television shows. She starred in the short-lived but critically acclaimed Brenda Starr (1979) and made guest appearances on popular series like Friends, where she played Phoebe Buffay’s biological mother.

Movies

  • 1963 Fun in Acapulco
  • 1964 Kissin’ Cousins
  • 1964 Viva Las Vegas
  • 1964 What a Way to Go!
  • 1964 Roustabout College Student
  • 1964 Pajama Party
  • 1964 T.A.M.I. Show
  • 1965 John Goldfarb, Please Come Home
  • 1965 Red Line 7000
  • 1965 Girl Happy
  • 1966 Where Is the Bus?
  • 1966 For Pete’s Sake
  • 1967 The Cool Ones
  • 1967 Clambake
  • 1967 The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Chinese Junk
  • 1968 Head
  • 1969 Changes
  • 1970 The Moonshine War
  • 1974 The Conversation
  • 1974 Young Frankenstein
  • 1976 Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood
  • 1977 Oh, God!
  • 1977 Close Encounters of the Third Kind
  • 1977 The Absent-Minded Waiter
  • 1979 Mr. Mike’s Mondo Video
  • 1979 The Black Stallion
  • 1980 Witches’ Brew
  • 1981 Honky Tonk Freeway
  • 1982 One from the Heart
  • 1982 The Escape Artist
  • 1982 Tootsie
  • 1983 The Sting II
  • 1983 The Black Stallion Returns
  • 1983 Mr. Mom

This is a day I feared and knew was coming. Forget about how great she was as an actress and comedienne. She was a wonderful woman. Not just great to work with but great to be around. AND go back and watch her comedic work-Man, was she great!!

Michael Keaton

  • 1984 Firstborn
  • 1985 After Hours
  • 1986 Miracles
  • 1988 Full Moon in Blue Water
  • 1989 Out Cold
  • 1989 Let It Ride
  • 1990 Short Time
  • 1990 Waiting for the Light
  • 1990 A Quiet Little Neighborhood, a Perfect Little Murder
  • 1992 The Player Herself
  • 1992 Mom and Dad Save the World
  • 1994 Dumb and Dumber
  • 1994 Prêt-à-Porter
  • 1994 Save the Rabbits
  • 1995 Perfect Alibi
  • 1996 Michael
  • 1997 Changing Habits
  • 1997 A Simple Wish
  • 1997 The Definite Maybe
  • 1998 Casper Meets Wendy
  • 1999 Kill the Man
  • 1999 Dick
  • 2000 The Sky Is Falling
  • 2000 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
  • 2001 Ghost World
  • 2002 Life Without Dick
  • 2005 Aloha, Scooby-Doo!
  • 2005 A Taste of Jupiter
  • 2006 Unaccompanied Minors
  • 2007 Expired
  • 2007 Kabluey
  • 2007 God Out the Window

TV

  • 1964 Mr. Novak
  • 1964–1965 Shindig!
  • 1965 Dr. Kildare
  • 1965 Hullabaloo
  • 1965 Where the Action Is
  • 1966 Batman
  • 1967–1968 That Girl
  • 1968 The Andy Griffith Show
  • 1968 Star Trek
  • 1968 Mayberry R.F.D.
  • 1969 The Mothers-In-Law
  • 1969 Room 222
  • 1969 It Takes a Thief
  • 1970–1975 McCloud
  • 1971–1974 The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (46 episodes)
  • 1972 The Ken Berry ‘Wow’ Show (Regular)
  • 1972 Banyon
  • 1973 The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour (Regular)
  • 1973 The New Dick Van Dyke Show
  • 1973–1974 The Bob Newhart Show
  • 1973–1974 The Girl with Something Extra
  • 1973–1978 MAS*H
  • 1974 The Odd Couple
  • 1974 Barnaby Jones
  • 1974 Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers
  • 1975 Cher
  • 1975 Maude
  • 1975 Hollywood Squares
  • 1976 The Sonny and Cher Show (Regular)
  • 1976 Law & Order
  • 1977 Once Upon a Brothers Grimm
  • 1977 Hunter
  • 1979–1985 Saturday Night Live! (5 episodes)
  • 1980 Doctor Franken
  • 1982 Prime Suspect
  • 1982 Faerie Tale Theatre
  • 1983 The Winter of Our Discontent
  • 1984 The New Show
  • 1984 To Catch a King
  • 1985 The Booth
  • 1986 Intimate Strangers
  • 1986 Fresno
  • 1987 Pack of Lies
  • 1987 Trying Times
  • 1987 Sesame Street
  • 1988 Teri Garr in Flapjack Floozie
  • 1990 Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme
  • 1990 A Quiet Little Neighborhood, a Perfect Little Murder
  • 1991 Tales from the Crypt
  • 1991 Stranger in the Family
  • 1991 Good & Evil
  • 1991 Futures
  • 1992 Deliver Them from Evil: The Taking of Alta View
  • 1992 Dream On
  • 1993 Murphy Brown
  • 1993 The Legend of Prince Valiant
  • 1993 The Larry Sanders Show
  • 1993 Fugitive Nights: Danger in the Desert
  • 1993 Adventures in Wonderland
  • 1993–1998 Jeopardy!
  • 1994 Duckman
  • 1994 Good Advice (13 episodes)
  • 1994 Aliens for Breakfast
  • 1995 Women of the House (12 episodes)
  • 1995 Frasier
  • 1996 Men Behaving Badly
  • 1997 Murder Live!
  • 1997 NightScream
  • 1997 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
  • 1997–1998 Friends
  • 1998 Sin City Spectacular
  • 1998 Barney’s First Adventure
  • 1998–2002 Biography
  • 1999 Half a Dozen Babies
  • 1999 ER
  • 1999 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
  • 1999–2000 Batman Beyond (10 episodes)
  • 2000 King of the Hill
  • 2000 I’ve Got a Secret
  • 2001 A Colder Kind of Death
  • 2001 Felicity
  • 2001 Strong Medicine
  • 2001–2002 Hollywood Squares (25 episodes)
  • 2002 Mad TV
  • 2003 What’s New, Scooby-Doo?
  • 2003 Life with Bonnie
  • 2003 Greetings from Tucson
  • 2005 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
  • 2006 Crumbs
  • 2011 How to Marry a Billionaire

Her work in television added to her acclaim and introduced her to younger generations. Garr’s career spanned diverse genres and character types, showcasing her range from comedy to drama and making her a recognizable figure in Hollywood for decades. In the 1990s, Garr’s work shifted more toward voice roles and guest spots on television due to health concerns. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis1 in 2002, an illness she initially kept private.

Following her diagnosis, Garr became a spokesperson for MS awareness, speaking openly about the disease and her journey to inspire others facing similar challenges. She eventually retired from acting in the mid-2000s due to her health but continued to advocate for medical research, making significant contributions to public awareness of MS. In her personal life, Garr has been recognized for her resilience and positive outlook despite health setbacks.

She married John O’Neil in 1993, and they had one daughter, Molly O’Neil. Though her marriage ended in divorce, Garr maintained close ties with her family and focused on her health and advocacy work in her later years. In recognition of her career and her contributions to entertainment, Garr received several awards, including a Life Achievement Award from the Sedona International Film Festival in 2006.

Throughout her career, Teri Garr received critical acclaim for her comedic talent, versatility, and dedication to her craft. Her extensive filmography and memorable roles reflect her impact on film and television, while her MS advocacy continues to leave a lasting legacy. Despite the challenges she faced, Garr’s talent and determination have left a lasting impression on Hollywood and audiences worldwide.

Teri Garr died in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 29, 2024, after a 20-year battle with multiple sclerosis. She was 79. She is survived by Roger Birnbaum, John O’Neil, daughter Molly, and grandson Tyryn.

Footnotes
  1. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, particularly the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath—the protective covering around nerve fibers—causing inflammation and damage that disrupts the transmission of nerve signals. Symptoms vary widely, including fatigue, muscle weakness, vision problems, and issues with coordination and balance. MS can progress in different forms: relapsing-remitting (the most common), primary progressive, secondary progressive, and progressive-relapsing. While the exact cause is unknown, genetic and environmental factors are believed to contribute to the disease’s development. Although there is currently no cure, various treatments help manage symptoms, reduce relapses, and slow disease progression, improving quality of life for many people with MS. ↩︎
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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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