Hollywood is mourning the passing of 79-year-old Teri Garr, the cherished actress and dancer, who died on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Her publicist, Heidi Schaeffer, revealed that her death resulted from complications related to multiple sclerosis.
She is survived by her daughter Molly O'Neil whom she had with her husband John O'Neil. The two were married from 1993-1996.
The Oscar-nominated Teri Garr had been known for her exemplary performances in classics like Young Frankenstein, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Tootsie. She also made three appearances on F.R.I.E.N.D.S as Phoebe Buffet's biological mother.
Teri Garr was candid about her battle with multiple sclerosis, detailing her journey in her 2005 memoir, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood.
With a career spanning over four decades, Garr captured the hearts of viewers with her distinctive charm and sharp humor. She frequently appeared on sitcoms and late-night talk shows, notably making her mark on NBC's The Tonight Show during Johnny Carson's tenure.
Originally trained in ballet, Teri Garr began her Hollywood journey as an uncredited go-go dancer in six musicals featuring Elvis Presley. In the early 1970s, she transitioned to more prominent acting roles and worked alongside some of the era's top directors.
The year 1974 was particularly significant for Garr; she had a supporting role in Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation and portrayed Inga, Gene Wilder's German-accented assistant, in Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein, a clever parody of classic horror films.
Many of her co-stars like Michael Keaton from Mr. Mom have mourned the loss of Teri Garr on their socials. Keaton wrote:
"this is a day i feared and knew was coming. 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"
Teri Garr's Tootsie co-star Dustin Hoffman, also paid tribute to her in a statement to the New York Post. He said:
“Teri was brilliant and singular in all she did, and had a heart of gold.. Working with her was one of the great highs. There was no one like her.”
Was Teri Garr married?
On November 11, 1993, Teri Garr tied the knot with building contractor John O'Neil in a celebration that marked a significant occasion for the couple, as they also welcomed their adopted daughter, Molly O'Neil, on the same day, heralding a joyful start to their family life.
However, the marriage was brief, ending in separation just three years later in 1996. According to reports from Deseret News, Teri filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and seeking rights to both "pre- and post-separation earnings" and "any inherited or gifted property."
After their split, she chose not to remarry, prioritizing her career and her role as a mother. Her relationship with O'Neil remains her last publicly recognized romantic involvement.
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Before her marriage, Teri had a significant seven-year relationship with film executive Roger Birnbaum in the early 1980s, followed by another seven-year partnership with physician David Kipper, whom she met through the late actress Carrie Fisher.
There were also rumors of Teri dating her Young Frankenstein co-star Gene Wilder, as well as Close Encounters of the Third Kind co-star François Truffaut, and prominent TV host David Letterman. Teri Garr is survived by her daughter, Molly O’Neil, and a grandson.
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