Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most talented—and beloved—comedic actresses following the death of Teri Garr, who passed away on Tuesday at age 79.
The Associated Press was first to report the news, which was confirmed by Garr’s publicist, Heidi Schaeffer, who said that the actress was “surrounded by family and friends.” The cause of death was noted as multiple sclerosis, which Garr was diagnosed with in 1999. She struggled with her health in the decades since, even beyond her MS diagnosis; in 2007, she underwent surgery to repair an aneurysm. She retired from acting in 2011.
Garr—the daughter of a vaudeville-turned-Broadway actor father and a Rockette mom—was a natural born performer whose career kicked off, literally, as a dancer; she appeared (uncredited) in half a dozen Elvis Presley movies, including Fun in Acapulco and Viva Las Vegas, when she was still a teen.
Dozens of television and film roles followed, but it was 1974 that became Garr’s breakout year. Between Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation, opposite Gene Hackman, and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein with Gene Wilder, Garr was able to showcase her on-screen versatility.
Garr continued to rack up credits over the next four decades, with memorable performances in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Mr. Mom (1983), Firstborn (1984), After Hours (1985), The Player (1992), and a three-episode arc as Phoebe’s biological mom on Friends. In 1983, Garr received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Tootsie.
Despite her big-screen success, Garr was also a staple of late-night television. Her quirky sense of humor and willingness to do anything for a laugh made her a much sought-after guest—and host.
Garr hosted Saturday Night Live three times in five years: on January 26, 1980; November 12, 1983; and December 21, 1985 (yep, the Christmas episode). Ultimately, The Tonight Starring Johnny Carson may have been her most prolific gig: she made 42 appearances between 1977 and 1992. But her sit-downs with David Letterman were among her most memorable.
Several years back, Letterman archivist Don Giller posted a complete five-part collection of her 39 appearances on his NBC and CBS shows to his YouTube channel
When news of Garr’s passing arrived earlier today, Letterman’s YouTube channel was quick to react, posting a clip from a April 1, 1983 appearance on Late Night with David Letterman with a short but sweet message: “Remembering one of our all-time favorite guests Teri Garr #RIP.”
Fellow late-night host Andy Cohen quickly responded to Letterman’s Instagram post, writing, “Dave and Teri were MAGIC.”