Teri Garr: The Comedy Star Who Captured Hearts in ‘Young Frankenstein’ and ‘Tootsie’ Passes Away at 79

Teri Garr, known for her quirky humor and comedic versatility, passed away on Tuesday at 79. Her publicist, Heidi Schaeffer, shared that Garr died due to complications from multiple sclerosis and was surrounded by loved ones. Though she had dealt with health issues, including a 2007 surgery for an aneurysm, Garr remained a celebrated figure who left an indelible mark on the comedy world.

Director Paul Feig honored her as “one of my comedy heroes,” while screenwriter Cinco Paul reflected on her unwavering shine, noting that “she made everything she was in better.” With roots in show business, Garr’s path seemed inevitable: her father, Eddie Garr, was a vaudeville comedian, and her mother, Phyllis Lind, was among the original Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Taking ballet classes from age 6, she quickly excelled in dance, performing with ballet companies by 14 and joining the touring company of West Side Story at 16. By 1963, she was already appearing in small film roles.

Starting as a dancer in Elvis Presley movies, Garr’s charm soon landed her a role as Gene Hackman’s girlfriend in The Conversation (1974). This performance earned her an audition with Mel Brooks, who cast her as Inga, Gene Wilder’s German-accented assistant in Young Frankenstein—a role she famously prepared for by mimicking a German wig-maker on set. Young Frankenstein established Garr as a comedic force, with The New Yorker’s Pauline Kael praising her as “the funniest neurotic dizzy dame on the screen.”

From here, Garr’s career flourished with roles in comedies like Oh, God! and Mr. Mom alongside Michael Keaton, and her Oscar-nominated performance in Tootsie as a lovelorn girlfriend. She also demonstrated her dramatic talents in films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Black Stallion, and The Escape Artist, though she lamented never being cast in serious roles like Norma Rae or Sophie’s Choice, fearing her comic persona limited her opportunities.

A frequent guest on Late Night With David Letterman, Garr was known for her humorous banter with the host, leading to speculation about a romantic connection. Letterman later credited her appearances as a key contributor to the show’s early popularity. It was during these years that Garr began feeling symptoms of multiple sclerosis, initially as a subtle “beeping” in her leg in 1983 that gradually worsened. Diagnosed in 1999, she kept her illness private for years, concerned that disclosing it might affect her career. When she eventually opened up, Garr became an advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, giving speeches infused with her trademark humor.

In her 2005 memoir, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood, Garr explored her life in show business and revealed that she never disclosed her age, a lesson learned from her mother who felt Hollywood should keep some mystery. Garr continued acting in later years, with appearances on Friends, Law & Order: SVU, Greetings From Tucson, and Life With Bonnie.

Garr is survived by her daughter, Molly O’Neil, and her grandson, Tyryn, leaving a legacy of humor, resilience, and an unforgettable comedic style that will long be cherished.