Teri Garr: A Life in Comedy and Courage

Teri Garr, a beloved actress known for her roles in classic films like "Young Frankenstein" and "Tootsie, " has passed away at the age of 79. She was a prominent figure in Hollywood, known for her quirky and humorous performances. Garr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) over two decades ago, but she didn't let her condition hold her back. Instead, she used her platform to raise awareness about MS and inspire others living with the disease. Garr came from a show business family. Her mother was a Rockette, and her father was a Broadway performer. Growing up, she studied dance and eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. She started out as an extra in films like "Viva Las Vegas" with Elvis Presley. But Garr wanted more. She wanted to be in the front, not just in the background. The 1970s was a big decade for Garr. She appeared in several TV shows like "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" and "The New Dick Van Dyke Show. " Her breakthrough role came in 1974 when she starred in "Young Frankenstein" directed by Mel Brooks. She played Inga, a memorable character in the comedy classic. Garr also had a significant role in Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind. " She played Ronnie Neary, a wife trying to understand her husband's strange behavior after an alien encounter. In "Tootsie, " she played a struggling actress who was dating Dustin Hoffman's character, who goes on to find fame by pretending to be a woman on a soap opera. This role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Throughout her career, Garr was known for her unique comic timing and her ability to challenge gender norms in her roles. She didn't like the stereotypes of women in movies and preferred roles that showed women using their brains and wit. Even after her diagnosis with MS, Garr continued to act and advocate for those living with the disease. She appeared in various TV shows and movies, including "Friends, " where she played Phoebe Buffay's mother. Garr's final credit was in 2011 for the TV series "How to Marry a Billionaire. " Despite her health challenges, Garr maintained a positive attitude. She believed in using her show business background to stay optimistic and not get down about her diagnosis. "I’ve always been a feisty person, " she said.