Teri Garr dead: Oscar-nominated actress of 'Tootsie' and 'Young Frankenstein' dies at 79
Teri Garr, the Oscar-nominated actress known for her roles in Tootsie and Young Frankenstein, died at age 79.
Garr died in Los Angeles, surrounded by family, her publicist Heidi Schaeffer confirmed.
Garr began her entertainment career as a dancer in the 1960s, appearing in several films alongside Elvis Presley. Her big break came in 1974 when she played Inga, Gene Wilder’s assistant, in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. She went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for her role in Tootsie (1982), where she starred alongside Dustin Hoffman as his insecure actress friend. Reflecting on her experience, Garr once wrote that she had to “squelch (her) inner diva” to take on the part, ultimately finding it one of her most rewarding roles.
Throughout her career, Garr appeared in other notable films such as The Conversation (1974), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Mr. Mom (1983), and Dumb and Dumber (1994). She also made memorable TV appearances, including a recurring role on Friends as the estranged mother of Phoebe Buffay, played by Lisa Kudrow.
Garr’s career was impacted by health challenges; she publicly disclosed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis on Larry King Live in 2002, after years of quietly managing the disease. Despite this, she continued acting until 2011. Her memoir, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood, recounts her journey and hardship in the industry.
Born on December 11, 1944, in Lakewood, Ohio, Garr was raised in a showbiz family. Her father was a vaudeville performer, and her mother, a former Rockette, later worked in Hollywood’s costume department. This artistic background influenced Garr, who studied ballet and found her way into acting after performing in a touring production of West Side Story. Her early career included bit parts on TV shows like Batman, Star Trek, and The Andy Griffith Show.