‘Tootsie’ Oscar Nominee, Teri Garr Dead At 79

Teri Garr - Tootsie - YouTube

Tootsie Oscar nominee, Teri Garr has sadly passed away at the age of 79. While the famous actress has more than 140 credits to her name, she faced a horrible battle at the end.

Tootsie Oscar Nominee, Teri Garr Dead At 79

Before Teri Garr’s passing, she made big strides in the entertainment industry. One of her biggest splashes was with her performance in the 1982 movie Tootsie alongside Dustin Hoffman which landed her an Oscar nomination. Additionally, she is also well known for her part in the 1974 Mel Brooks horror comedy Young Frankenstein. Both movies received Academy Award nominations. Many people recognize her in her later career as the estranged mother to Phoebe Buffay in Friends. Likewise, some of her works include Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1977 and Martin Scorsese’s After Hours in 1985. Furthermore, she starred in Mr. Mom with Michael Keaton.

Teri Garr as Inga in Young Frankenstein - YouTube
Teri Garr as Inga in Young Frankenstein – YouTube

Teri Garr Was With Loved Ones

On October 29, Teri Garr passed away from a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis with her friends and family by her side as reported by People. According to Heidi Schaeffer, she was “surrounded by family and friends.” Both of her parents were entertainers during her childhood. Her mom was a Rockette and her dad toured as a vaudeville performer. Initially, Teri trained as a dancer, with an emphasis on ballet.  Later, she quit college and moved to New York to begin acting. Her journey took her to the Actors Studio and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute to craft her career. Notably, she even starred in six movies with Elvis Presley.

Many Guest Appearances

Notably, Teri Garr made other appearances in McCloudM*A*S*HThe Bob Newhart ShowThe Odd CoupleMaudeBarnaby Jones, and The Andy Griffith Show. Likewise, she was a familiar face on late-night TV. Some of her interviews include The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman.

She Had A Long Battle

In 2002, Teri Garr publically announced she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Undeniably, the battle was with more than just the mysterious disease. In her 2006 memoir, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood, she recalls, “Whatever this MS was, the industry wanted no part of it.” Not only was her life deteriorating before her eyes, but her beloved career was handing her rejections. She says, “At first I was outraged. Whatever was going on in my body had been going on for years. It never got in the way of my work. Then I started thinking the job offers disappeared because I stunk as an actress. It was a tough trio: mysterious symptoms, my insecurities about my acting ability, and the reality of being an ‘aging’ actress.’” Sadly, in 2011, Teri became a strong national ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society after she retired from acting.

Teri Garr and Michael Keaton - Mr. Mom - YouTube
Teri Garr and Michael Keaton – Mr. Mom – YouTube

What are your best memories of the beloved actress and entertainer, Teri Garr? Let us know in the comments below.

Bonnie Kaiser-Gambill

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