Teri Garr, the celebrated Oscar-nominated actress known for her roles in classics like Young Frankenstein, Tootsie, and Mr. Mom, has reportedly passed away at age 79. The news of her passing was confirmed on Tuesday by her longtime manager, Marc Gurvitz.
Garr’s death in Los Angeles marks the end of a decades-long journey with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition she was first diagnosed with over 20 years ago. She publicly shared her diagnosis in 2002, raising awareness about the disease and offering support to others facing similar challenges.
In an interview with CNN at the time, Garr shared, “Everyone feels scared and uncertain hearing something like that,” reflecting on her difficult road to diagnosis, which involved years of symptoms and consultations with 11 different doctors. She added that limited public knowledge about MS often leads to fear, yet she continued to find ways to live fully.
Raised in a show business family, Garr was the daughter of a Broadway actor and a Radio City Rockette, growing up amidst the entertainment industry. She began honing her dance skills early on, leading to her first screen roles, including a spot as a background dancer in Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas.
Her career reached new heights in the 1970s as she appeared on popular television shows like The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, The Odd Couple, and The Bob Newhart Show. Reflecting on those early years, Garr once remarked, “I eventually thought, ‘Why am I always in the background? I didn’t spend years studying just to stay in the shadows.’”
