Teri Garr, an Oscar-nominated actress celebrated for her performances in films such as “Young Frankenstein,” “Tootsie,” and “Mr. Mom,” has passed away at the age of 79, as confirmed by her manager. Garr died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, more than two decades after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition she publicly disclosed in a 2002 interview with CNN to raise awareness for others affected by the disease.
In that interview, Garr described her initial fear and confusion upon receiving her diagnosis after consulting 11 doctors and enduring years of unexplained symptoms. She expressed the importance of spreading awareness, stating, “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.”
The daughter of a Broadway performer and a Rockette, Garr began her artistic journey by studying dance and auditioning shortly after graduating high school in Los Angeles. She initially gained experience as a dancer and extra in films, including Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas.”
Reflecting on her early career, Garr stated, “I finally asked myself, Why am I not in the front? I didn’t study all those years to be in the back and get no money.” The 1970s marked a prolific era for Garr, who appeared in several television shows, including “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour,” “The New Dick Van Dyke Show,” “The Odd Couple,” and “The Bob Newhart Show.”
Garr’s significant breakthrough occurred in 1974 when she starred as Inga in Mel Brooks’s iconic comedy “Young Frankenstein,” alongside notable actors like Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn. In 1977, she portrayed Ronnie Neary in Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” a wife grappling with her husband’s alien encounter obsession.
Her performance in “Tootsie” earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 1983 Academy Awards. In this film, she played a struggling actress dating Dustin Hoffman’s character, who gains fame while impersonating a woman on a soap opera. In her 2005 memoir, “Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood,” Garr expressed pride in her nomination, noting, “The Academy not only knew I existed, they thought I was good!”
Hoffman praised Garr, calling her “brilliant and singular in all she did, and had a heart of gold,” adding that working with her was “one of the great highs.”
In the same year, Garr appeared as Caroline Butler in the family comedy “Mr. Mom,” which explores the dynamics of a couple navigating role reversals when her character returns to the workforce after her husband’s job loss.
Reflecting on her notable roles, Garr mentioned that she was not surprised they challenged gender stereotypes. “I resent it when they write the part of a woman who’s just a sexy femme fatale…instead of using their brains or their wit,” she stated.
On Tuesday, Michael Keaton honored Garr on Instagram, expressing his sadness at her passing and praising her not only as an actress but also as a wonderful person. Garr continued her career into the 1990s, appearing in films like “Good & Evil” (1991), “Good Advice” (1994), and “Women of the House” (1995).
