Number of Elvis Movies Starring Teri Garr: An Explanation

Teri Garr was a renowned American actress who captured audiences with her role as Sandy Lester in the romantic comedy Tootsie, directed by Sydney Pollack. Her outstanding performance in this film earned her nominations for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ at both the Academy Awards and the BAFTA Awards in 1983.

Commencing her career in the early 1960s, Teri engaged in minor roles across films and television. She eventually progressed to more significant parts and starred in iconic films such as Young Frankenstein, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, After Hours, The Conversation, One from the Heart, Dumb and Dumber, The Black Stallion, Let It Ride, and Ghost World, among others.

In 1964, she made her television debut in the drama series Mr. Novak, subsequently featuring in popular shows such as The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, Dr. Kildare, M*A*S*H, Star Trek, Room 222, The Girl with Something Extra, Friends, Law & Order, and Frasier.

Additionally, Teri appeared in nine films featuring Elvis Presley, such as Viva Las Vegas, Roustabout, and Girl Happy.

Teri Garr’s Role as a Background Dancer in Elvis’ Movies

Teri Garr with Mickey Rooney (Image via Getty)

While growing up, Teri Garr trained extensively in ballet and various styles of dance, eventually working as a background dancer in several Elvis Presley musicals during the 1960s.

Her first appearance in a feature film was in the 1963 musical comedy Fun in Acapulco, a project starring Elvis. Teri continued to appear in eight additional Elvis films, including Viva Las Vegas (1964), Kissin’ Cousins (1964), Roustabout (1964), Girl Happy (1965), and Clambake (1967).

In a 2008 conversation with the AV Club, Teri reflected on her background dancer experience, stating:

“I was always resenting the fact that I was an ‘extra,’ because in those days, working on those musicals, you personally had to study for 10 years to be a dancer. And when you finally got a part as a dancer in a movie, you were put in the extras union.”

Teri Garr’s Battle with Multiple Sclerosis and Her Passing

Teri Garr in the 1970s (Image via Getty)

Having dealt with multiple sclerosis for many years, Teri announced her diagnosis publicly in October 2002. She highlighted that she first experienced symptoms while filming Tootsie in New York back in 1982.

During that 2002 interview, Teri shared her reasons for going public about her health condition, stating:

“I’m telling my story for the first time so I can help people. I can help people know they’re not alone and tell them there are reasons to be optimistic because, today, treatment options are available.”

After revealing her condition, Garr became the national ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She also detailed her health struggles in her autobiography, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood, which was published in 2006.

Over the subsequent years, she continued to make appearances in films and television, with her last performance being in the TV movie How to Marry a Billionaire in 2011.

For the following decade, Garr remained out of the spotlight until her passing on October 29, 2024, at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by loved ones. She was 79 years old.

Upon the news of her death, many Hollywood figures shared heartfelt condolences on social media. Director Paul Feig, who worked with Garr in the 2006 film Unaccompanied Minors, expressed his thoughts on X:

She leaves behind her adopted daughter Molly O’Neil and grandchild Tyryn.

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