Renowned actress Teri Garr has passed away at the age of 79 following a protracted illness. The much-admired film and television star, best remembered as Phoebe’s mother in the iconic sitcom Friends and for her Academy Award-nominated role in Tootsie, succumbed to complications from multiple sclerosis on Tuesday.
Diagnosed with the enduring ailment in 2002, Teri Garr departed this life in Los Angeles, leaving behind a legacy as she was “surrounded by family and friends,” according to her publicist Heidi Schaeffer. The comedic actress rose to international prominence after making her mark in Hollywood in 1974 with her performance as Inga in Young Frankenstein alongside Gene Wilder.
Garnering an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Sandy Lester in Tootsie nearly ten years later, she contended for the prestigious Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 1983 Academy Awards. Although Jessica Lange, her co-star from Tootsie, eventually won the accolade, the nod remains a standout moment in Teri’s impressive career.
With over 160 appearances in films and TV series, Teri Garr enjoyed a distinguished career, but it was her role as Phoebe Abbott in Friends that earned her adoration from the show’s dedicated fanbase, appearing from 1997 to 1998 across three episodes as Phoebe Buffay’s estranged mother. Coinciding with her debut on Friends in the episode ‘The One At The Beach,’ she also captured hearts as Ronnie Neary in Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Before establishing herself as a Hollywood staple, the Ohio-born artist also showcased her talents as a comedian, singer, and dancer.
Her impressive skill set and popularity during the 70s, 80s and early 90s led to her hosting Saturday Night Live three times. In 2006, Teri underwent emergency surgery following a brain aneurysm, just four years after being diagnosed with MS. Her last on-screen appearance was in 2011. Teri is survived by her daughter Molly O’Neil and grandson Tyryn.