As a movie critic with a penchant for reminiscing about the golden age of Hollywood, I can confidentially say that Teri Garr was undeniably one of its most vibrant and resilient stars. Her buoyant personality, infectious laughter, and remarkable talent graced our screens in countless memorable roles throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
79-year-old Teri Garr, the witty actress and singer known for her lively spirit in “Young Frankenstein” and who received an Oscar nomination for “Tootsie,” passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles after a prolonged struggle with multiple sclerosis.
A well-known entertainer, Garr was a frequent presence on many television shows and films from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, significantly influencing comedians like Tina Fey. In 2002, she publicly disclosed her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, and in 2006, she experienced an aneurysm.
After embarking on her career as a dancer, Garr initially garnered notice playing Inga, the flirtatious assistant in Mel Brooks’ 1974 film “Young Frankenstein.” She famously greeted Gene Wilder’s character Dr. Frederick Frankenstein with the catchy line, “Would you like to take a romp in the meadow?
On “Friends,” she played Phoebe Abbot in three episodes in 1997 and 1998.
In Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” Garr was married to Richard Dreyfuss’ character. She earned an Oscar nomination for her supporting role, acting alongside Dustin Hoffman as his actress friend in Sydney Pollack’s “Tootsie.” Furthermore, she portrayed a working mother to Michael Keaton’s stay-at-home father in “Mr. Mom.
Originally hailing from Ohio, she subsequently resided in Los Angeles, completed her education at North Hollywood High School, and furthered her studies at Cal State Northridge. Subsequently, she shifted base to New York City to pursue acting. Her initial roles were as a go-go dancer, where she’s recognizable for dancing behind the artists in the rock concert film “The T.A.M.I. Show” and in six films featuring Elvis Presley, many of which were choreographed by her mentor David Winters. During the 1960s, she landed minor roles on sitcoms such as “That Girl,” “Batman,” and “The Andy Griffith Show.
Garr made her debut as an actor in the quirky Monkees film “Head,” penned by Jack Nicholson, whom she had encountered during an acting class. In the “Assignment Earth” episode of Star Trek, she portrayed a rather dim-witted secretary, marking the start of numerous similar roles for her.
Prior to securing a part in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Conversation,” she had established herself as a frequent performer, singing and dancing, on “The Sonny and Cher Show.
Coppola selected her for another role in “One From the Heart.” In addition to this, she played various parts such as the spouse of John Denver’s character in “Oh, God,” the parent of the main character in “The Black Stallion,” and roles in “Dumb and Dumber” and “Mom and Dad Save the World.
Garr collaborated with several prominent directors from that period: Apart from Brooks, Spielberg, Pollack, Coppola, she also worked with Martin Scorsese on “After Hours,” and Robert Altman in both “The Player” and “Pret-a-Porter.” She appeared on various TV shows such as “M*A*S*H,” “The Odd Couple,” and “The Bob Newhart Show.
In a candid and feminist interview with The A.V. Club back in 2008, Garr clarified why she frequently portrayed the “long-suffering wife” characters in movies like “Mr. Mom”. She said that when it comes to female characters who are intelligent, humorous, or sharp-witted, people tend to be apprehensive about them, thus they seldom get written. Instead, they create roles for women where they are walked over and mistreated, where their strength is trampled upon. These are the types of roles I’ve been given, and these are the kinds of roles that exist for me in this world and in this life.
Regardless of her attractiveness to prominent filmmakers, she experienced numerous instances of sexism within the industry. For instance, producers of “The Sonny and Cher Show” suggested that if she wanted equal pay with her male counterparts, she should quit. In an interview with the A.V. Club, she stated, “Sexism starts right there [with ‘The Sonny and Cher Show’]. It was a case of not receiving the same compensation as everyone else for doing the same work. I learned early on that women are often treated unfairly, like being run over by a steamroller.
She has appeared on “Saturday Night Live” three times, as well as being a regular guest on both “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and “Late Night With David Letterman”.
In the late ’90s, my career pace softened a bit, but I didn’t shy away from opportunities. I accepted minor film roles such as those in “Dick” and “Unaccompanied Minors,” and I lent my voice to two Batman animated films, specifically “Batman Beyond: The Movie” and “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
She published an autobiography, “Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood,” in 2006.
She is survived by her daughter, Molly O’Neil, and grandson Tyryn.
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2024-10-29 20:47