Teri Garr, the well-known American actress celebrated for her comedic abilities, passed away at the age of 79 on October 29, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Throughout her extensive career, Garr graced countless films and television series across various genres. Despite her battle with multiple sclerosis, she persevered and continued to entertain her audience with her remarkable performances until she chose to retire in 2011.
One of Teri Garr’s notable roles was in the beloved American series Friends, where she portrayed Phoebe Buffay’s birth mother, Phoebe Abbott.
Teri Garr’s Role as Phoebe Abbott in Friends
In the iconic 90s sitcom Friends, Teri Garr took on the character of Phoebe Buffay’s biological mother, Phoebe Abbott. Her first appearance was in the season 3 finale, episode 25, titled “The One at the Beach,”which aired on March 15, 1977, where Phoebe Buffay met her birth mother for the first time.
Garr reprised her role in the season 4 premiere, “The One with the Jellyfish,”and later appeared in the 11th episode of the same season, “The One with Phoebe’s Uterus.”
Other Notable Films and TV Shows Featuring Teri Garr
Initially appearing as a background dancer in a series of Elvis Presley films, Garr gained acclaim for her memorable performances as Sandy Lester in the 1982 romantic comedy Tootsie directed by Sydney Pollack, and as Inga in Mel Brooks’ classic Young Frankenstein from 1974.
Beyond these iconic films, Teri Garr’s career also included participation in various other significant projects such as The Black Stallion Returns (1983), Gene Wilder’s Role Model (2008), Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969), and Batman Beyond (1999-2001), among many others.
The Circumstances Surrounding Teri Garr’s Death
Teri Garr passed away on October 29, 2024, at the age of 79, after battling multiple sclerosis for several years. While she first suspected her condition in 1983, it wasn’t correctly diagnosed until 1999 due to inadequate medical attention. She publicly discussed her health struggles in 2002, shortly before her career began to slow down.
In 2006, Garr released her autobiography titled Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood, where she candidly described her ongoing health challenges:
“MS is a sneaky disease. Like some of my boyfriends, it has a tendency to show up at the most awkward times and then to disappear entirely.”
Her health took a severe turn in 2006 when she suffered an aneurysm that led to a coma, prompting her retirement from acting in 2011.
In a 2003 interview, Garr expressed her fear that revealing her health condition would negatively impact her acting opportunities:
“I was afraid that I wouldn’t get work. People hear MS and think, ‘Oh, my God, the person has two days to live’,” Garr reflected.
Teri Garr is survived by her daughter, Molly O’Neil, and her grandson, Tyryn.
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