Teri Garr had a unique talent for bringing laughter to audiences. Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, the beloved star of Young Frankenstein graced the silver screen with numerous comedic performances and even earned an Academy Award nomination. Sadly, Teri passed away in October 2024 in Los Angeles after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
Teri Garr’s Iconic Roles
Garr is best remembered for her memorable roles as Sandy in Tootsie (1982), Inga in Young Frankenstein (1974), and Ronnie Neary in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1974). Her impressive filmography also includes notable films like After Hours (1985) and Mr. Mom (1983), along with recurring roles in television series such as McCloud and Batman Beyond.
A Memorable Guest Role on Friends
Teri made a significant impact on fans when she portrayed Phoebe Abbott, Phoebe Buffay’s birth mother, adding an unforgettable twist to the beloved sitcom.
A Brave Fight Against Health Challenges
Teri was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999 and faced further health challenges, including a brain aneurysm in December 2006. Multiple sclerosis is described as a “potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord.” In a candid 2002 interview on CNN, Teri shared her journey with MS.
“Starting many years ago, I would run, jog in the park, and I just started tripping,” she recalled. “It was just, like, my toe. I would start to trip, and then that would go away. Then I would get some tingling in my arm... So I went to a neurologist. And he said, ‘Yes, it’s a pinched nerve.'”
Despite her struggles with health issues, Teri remained optimistic about available treatments: “Now, the good news is that there are a lot of good medicines out there and options for people.”
A Step Back from Acting
Deteriorating health led Teri to retire from acting in 2011. Her final role was as Lindsey’s mom in an episode of How to Marry a Billionaire.
A Cherished Mother
Teri was also proud to be a mother; she welcomed her daughter,Molly O’Neill, into the world in 1993 with her ex-husband, actor John O’Neil.