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Entertainment • Actress

Teri Garr

Teri Garr was an American actress, comedian, and dancer known for her comedic film and television roles in the 1970s and 1980s.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Teri Garr was an American actress, comedian, and dancer known for her comedic film and television roles in the 1970s and 1980s. She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Tootsie and later became known for public advocacy related to multiple sclerosis. She died in 2024 at age 79.

Early life and career beginnings

Garr was born Terry Ann Garr on December 11, 1944. She began her entertainment career as a dancer before taking on acting roles in film and television.

Film and television breakthrough

She became known for comedic roles and appeared in films such as Young Frankenstein, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Tootsie. Her work in Tootsie brought her Academy Award recognition.

Later career and public profile

Garr continued to appear in film and television through the 1990s and 2000s, reaching new audiences through guest and supporting roles. She retired from acting in 2011.

Illness and death

Garr announced in 2002 that she had multiple sclerosis and later became associated with public awareness of the disease. She died on October 29, 2024, at age 79.

Key facts

  • Garr was widely recognized for comic supporting roles in film and television.
  • She was nominated for an Academy Award for Tootsie.
  • She began her career as a dancer before moving into acting.
  • She publicly disclosed that she had multiple sclerosis in 2002.
  • She retired from acting in 2011 and died in 2024.
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Canadian context

Teri Garr had no major Canada-specific connection in the provided sources, though her films and television work were widely seen by Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Teri Garr?
Teri Garr was an American actress, comedian, and dancer known for her comedic roles in film and television.
What was Teri Garr best known for?
She was best known for roles in Young Frankenstein, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Tootsie.
Did Teri Garr receive an Oscar nomination?
Yes. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Tootsie.
What health condition did Teri Garr have?
She announced in 2002 that she had multiple sclerosis.
When did Teri Garr die?
She died on October 29, 2024, at age 79.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teri_Garr
    Supports: Birth name, career overview, major roles, retirement, death date.
  2. Biography.comhttps://www.biography.com/actor/teri-garr
    Supports: Early career as a dancer, major roles, Tootsie nomination, multiple sclerosis, death age.
  3. The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/29/arts/teri-garr-dead.html
    Supports: Death date, age, cause related to multiple sclerosis, career significance.
  4. PBS NewsHour / APhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/teri-garr-funny-star-of-young-frankenstein-and-tootsie-dies-at-79
    Supports: Career highlights, death, family information, multiple sclerosis.
  5. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000414/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, occupation, death date, family background.