Teri Garr Dies – Learn More About The Life Of The Oscar-Nominated Actress
One of Hollywood’s leading stars, Teri Garr, has passed away.
Garr was born in Lakewood, Ohio. According to The Hollywood Reporter, various publications list her birthday as December 11, 1944.
Garr was born into a showbiz family. Her father was a vaudeville performer, and her mother was a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall.
Her own career started as a background dancer in several Elvis Presley movies. She appeared in 1964’s Kissin’ Cousins, 1964’s Viva Las Vegas, and 1967’s Clambake, to name a few.
But Garr’s big breakthrough came in the 1974 film Young Frankenstein, where she starred alongside Gene Wilder.
Garr is perhaps most well-known for her role in the 1982 film Tootsie, which led her to an Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category.
Garr also appeared in notable projects such as 1974’s The Conversation, 1977’s Oh, God!, 1981’s One From the Heart, and 1983’s Mr. Mom. Later in life, Garr found a new group of fans through her role as Phoebe’s birth mom on the popular sitcom Friends.
Garr Revealed A Diagnosis With MS In 2002
During a conversation on Larry King’s CNN show in 2002, Garr revealed that she had been diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis, otherwise known as MS.
The Mayo Clinic describes MS as “a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord.“
When a person has MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers the nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and body. The disease can eventually cause permanent damage to the nerve fibers.
Garr served as a national ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and chaired its programs for Women Against MS.
The actress underwent emergency surgery in 2006 to treat a brain aneurysm. She continued acting, making her final onscreen appearance in 2011.
Garr passed away on Tuesday (October 29) at her home in Los Angeles. She was 79 years old. Her publicist told The Hollywood Reporter she was “surrounded by family and friends.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Garr’s loved ones during this difficult time. May she rest in peace…