The iconic Hollywood star Teri Garr, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work in the 1982 movie Tootsie, died on Tuesday at the age of 79.
Her friends, colleagues, and fellow celebrities are speaking out to pay tribute to her and her life.
Garr Passes Away
Garr’s publicist told People Magazine that she died of multiple sclerosis while “surrounded by family and friends.” Indeed, she had gone public with her multiple sclerosis diagnosis back in 2002.
Throughout her career, Garr was a frequent guest on Late Night With David Letterman. After her death was announced, David Letterman took to Instagram to share one of his favorite clips of her along with a touching tribute.
“Teri Garr’s many appearances on Late Night gave it a cachet and importance not possible without her,” wrote Letterman, 77. “She was a first class actor and comedian and a lovely human being. A bright star and a real friend to the show. I was lucky to know her. She elevated all, and I’m sad she is gone.”
Michael Keaton, who starred with Garr in the 1983 comedy Mr. Mom, also took to Instagram to honor her.
“This is a day i feared and knew was coming,” he wrote. “Forget about how great she was as an actress and comedienne. she was a wonderful woman. not just great to work with but great to be around. AND go back and watch her comedic work-Man, was she great!!
“RIP girl,” added Keaton, 73.
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More Tributes For Garr
Meanwhile, Mel Brooks, who directed Garr in the 1974 movieYoung Frankenstein, paid tribute to her on social media as well.
“So very sorry to hear about Teri Garr’s passing,” Brooks, 98, wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “She was so talented and so funny. Her humor and lively spirit made the YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN set a pleasure to work on. Her ‘German’ accent had us all in stitches! She will be greatly missed.”
Back in the 1990s, Garr played the mother of Lisa Kudrow’s character on Friends.
“Teri Garr was a comedic acting genius who was and is a huge influence on me and I know I’m not alone in that,” Kudrow, 61, told Entertainment Weekly. “I feel so lucky and grateful I go to work with Teri Garr.”
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Garr’s Death Is ‘Devastating’
Dustin Hoffman, who starred in Tootsie with Garr, also honored her after her death.
“Teri was brilliant and singular in all she did, and had a heart of gold,” said Hoffman, 87. “Working with her was one of the great highs. There was no one like her.”
Finally, the director Paul Feig, who worked with Garr on the 2006 movie Unaccompanied Minors, described her death as devastating.
“Oh man, this is devastating. Teri was a legend,” Feig, 62, wrote on social media. “So funny, so beautiful, so kind. I had the honor of working with her in 2006 and she was everything I dreamed she would be. Truly one of my comedy heroes. I couldn’t have loved her more. This is such a loss.”
Garr is survived by her daughter Molly O’Neil, 30, and grandson Tyryn, 6. Rest in peace, Teri Garr.
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