Teri Garr, Oscar-nominated actress dies at 79 after MS battle

Teri Garr, the beloved comic actress celebrated for her iconic roles in Young Frankenstein and Tootsie, passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday at age 79, following a lengthy struggle with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Known for her vibrant personality, Garr was a prominent face in American film and television throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, influencing generations of comedians, including Tina Fey. The actress publicly shared her MS diagnosis in 2002 and endured a significant health scare with an aneurysm in 2006.

Starting as a dancer, Garr made her Hollywood breakthrough in Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy Young Frankenstein as Inga, the playful assistant to Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. Her memorable line, “Vould you like to have a roll in ze hay?” brought her comedic talent to the forefront. She received an Oscar nomination for her supporting role in Tootsie, where she starred opposite Dustin Hoffman, and portrayed the wife in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and the mom in Mr. Mom. Reflecting on her career with The A.V. Club in 2008, Garr candidly addressed typecasting, saying, “They only write parts for women where they let everything be steamrolled over them.”

Born in Ohio, Garr moved to Los Angeles, later attending Cal State Northridge and New York’s Actors Studio. She appeared in The Sonny and Cher Show, Batman, The Andy Griffith Show, and Star Trek, and eventually landed roles in major films directed by Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg. Later in her career, she voiced characters in Batman Beyond and hosted Saturday Night Live multiple times.

Garr is survived by her daughter, Molly O’Neil, and grandson, Tyryn.