Hollywood star Teri Garr-known best for her unforgettable roles in movies like “Young Frankenstein,” Tootsie” and “Mr. Mom” died on Tuesday at her Los Angeles home. She was 79.
A statement from the actress’ publicist Heidi Schaeffer said that Garr died at home “surrounded by family and friends” after she had previously revealed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2002, the Hollywood Reporter reported.
With more than 140 acting credits in her career, Garr was a staple of TV and movies throughout the 70s and 80s. She made a number of notable comedic appearances — in Mel Brooks “Young Frankenstein” in 1974 alongside Gene Wilder and in the 1982 movie “Tootsie” with Dustin Hoffman, for which she received an Oscar nomination.
In a 2014 interview, Brooks revealed that Wilder suggested Garr for the role of Inga in Brook’s hit.
“Gene told me about this Teri Garr person, and we had some film on Teri,” Brooks said. “And I said, ‘She’s absolutely beautiful — can she act?’ And Gene said, ‘Who gives a shit?’ … Teri came in, read about half a page and we both said, ‘Yay!’
“There was a line she had when Cloris [Leachman] was undoing the monster’s straps and setting him free, and Teri was on the stairs looking down and she said, ‘No, no — You muzn’t!’ Muzn’t? You’re hired!”
Born in Ohio in 1944, Garr was born to parents who were very involved in show business, with a father working in Vaudeville and mom a Radio City Music Hall Rockette. At a young age, she followed in her mother’s footsteps learning how to become a dancer but eventually got tired of that and turned to acting instead.
The dancing experience did help her land her earliest roles, however, and she scored parts in six of Elvis Presley’s movies — such as his 1964 movie “Viva Las Vegas” — as well as appearing on various TV variety shows, People magazine noted.
Following news of the star’s death, Brooks was one of many in Hollywood who paid tribute on social media to Garr.
“So very sorry to hear about Teri Garr’s passing,” Brooks wrote on X. “She was so talented and so funny. Her humor and lively spirit made the YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN set a pleasure to work on. Her ‘German’ accent had us all in stitches! She will be greatly missed.”
So very sorry to hear about Teri Garr’s passing. She was so talented and so funny. Her humor and lively spirit made the YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN set a pleasure to work on. Her “German” accent had us all in stitches! She will be greatly missed.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) October 29, 2024
Michael Keaton, who worked with Garr in 1983’s “Mr. Mom” gushed about the star.
“This is a day I feared and knew was coming,” Keaton, wrote on Instagram. “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!! RIP girl.”
“The Monkees” TV star Mickey Dolenz wrote that he “had the pleasure of working briefly with Teri in the movie, “Head” and “always remembered her infectious smile and charisma. A charming talent and now a sad loss.’”
Actress Patricia Heaton recalled working with Garr on one of her sitcoms and said she was terribly sad to hear of the star’s passing.
“I had the absolute privilege of working with her on “Women of The House“ and she was so talented, so funny, and so kind,” Heaton wrote on X. “She was a great mom, and she left a comedy legacy to the world that brought us all so much joy. Rest in peace friend.”
Garr and her ex-husband contractor John O’Neil were married from 1993 until 1996. During their marriage they adopted a daughter, Molly. She’s survived by her grandson Tyryn.
