Teri Garr, ‘Young Frankenstein’ and ‘Tootsie’ star, dies at 79

Teri Garr, the Oscar-nominated comedic actor finest recognized for her spirited performances in classics comparable to “Younger Frankenstein,” “Shut Encounters of the Third Variety” and “Tootsie,” died Tuesday in Los Angeles, in accordance with her publicist and good friend Heidi Schaeffer.

She was 79. The reason for dying was issues from a number of sclerosis, Schaeffer stated.

Garr was open about her expertise with MS, a well being ordeal she chronicled within the 2005 autobiography “Speedbumps: Flooring it By means of Hollywood.”

In a display profession that spanned greater than 40 years, Garr endeared herself to audiences along with her quirky on-screen persona and fast wit. She was a well-recognized face on sitcoms and late-night speak exhibits, together with NBC’s “The Tonight Present” through the Johnny Carson period.

Garr, who was educated as a ballet performer, launched her Hollywood profession as a uncredited go-go dancer in six musicals starring Elvis Presley.

Within the early Nineteen Seventies, Garr pivoted to extra substantive appearing roles and collaborated with among the main filmmakers of the last decade.

The 12 months 1974 was pivotal: Garr delivered a supporting flip in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Dialog” and performed Gene Wilder’s German-accented assistant Inga in Mel Brooks’ “Younger Frankenstein,” a black-and-white spoof of Hollywood horror flicks.

Garr’s profile rose additional after Steven Spielberg forged her as Richard Dreyfuss’ spouse within the science fiction landmark “Shut Encounters.” Garr’s character watches in bewilderment as her husband turns into more and more fixated on UFOs.

Sydney Pollack’s “Tootsie” introduced Garr an Oscar nomination for finest supporting actress. She performed a neurotic appearing scholar whose coronary heart is damaged by Dustin Hoffman’s character, a struggling artist who disguises himself as a girl to land a component on a cleaning soap opera.

Garr additionally teamed up with Martin Scorsese (“After Hours”) and Robert Altman (“Prêt-à-Porter”); Coppola made her the middle of the surrealist 1982 musical “One from the Coronary heart,” a box-office catastrophe that up to date critics have positively reappraised.

Youthful viewers could also be extra accustomed to Garr because of her function reverse Michael Keaton in “Mr. Mother” in addition to her recurring function on the NBC sitcom “Associates” as Lisa Kudrow’s estranged mom.

Teri Ann Garr was born on Dec. 11, 1944 in Ohio; her father was a vaudeville performer and her mom was a dancer. The household ultimately settled within the Los Angeles space, the place Garr’s father died of a coronary heart assault when she was younger. Garr educated within the artwork of ballet earlier than heading to New York Metropolis to strive her hand at appearing.

She landed her first talking function in 1968’s “Head,” a kooky satirical musical starring The Monkees and written by Jack Nicholson. 

Garr’s early small-screen work included appearances on the Nineteen Sixties incarnation of “Batman,” an episode of the unique “Star Trek” and the range present “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour.”

“I used to be at all times hustling for the subsequent job,” Garr wrote in her autobiography.

Garr’s doggedness paid off, and she or he remained prolific all by her display profession. Pauline Kael, the legendary movie critic for The New Yorker, as soon as hailed Garr as “maybe the funniest, most neurotic dizzy dame on the display.”

Garr went public along with her a number of sclerosis prognosis on nationwide tv in October 2002. She later grew to become a key advocate for MS consciousness, touring throughout the nation to talk with docs and sufferers about her experiences.

“I feel all people is scared and frightened once they hear one thing like that,” Garr instructed CNN in 2002. “That’s as a result of there’s a lot — , there’s not a whole lot of info on the market about it. And lots of people don’t know that it’s not that unhealthy. I imply, I’m occurring with my life.”

In late 2006, Garr suffered a mind aneurysm that modified her speech and motor abilities.

She retired from appearing in 2011, however her legacy continued to loom over the comedy world, inspiring youthful feminine comedians.

“The particular person I at all times consider is Teri Garr,” Tina Fey was as soon as quoted as saying. “There was a time when Teri Garr was in all the things. She was cute, but additionally very actual. Her physique was actual, her enamel have been actual, and also you thought that she could possibly be your good friend.”