Lisa Kudrow has led heartfelt tributes to Oscar-nominated actress Teri Garr, who passed away at 79 in Los Angeles.
Garr, known for her roles in films like Young Frankenstein, Tootsie, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, portrayed Kudrow’s estranged birth mother on Friends.
Kudrow honored her as “a comedic acting genius” and a major influence, expressing how “lucky and grateful” she felt to have worked alongside her.
Mel Brooks, who directed Young Frankenstein, praised Garr’s “talent and humor,” noting her “lively spirit” on set and her hilarious “German accent,” which he said had everyone laughing.
Her role as Gene Wilder’s assistant in the 1974 horror comedy marked a breakthrough in her career.
Michael Keaton, her co-star in the 1983 film Mr. Mom, described her as “not just great to work with but great to be around,” calling her a “wonderful woman.”
Garr, who revealed her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2002 to help raise awareness, had battled other health challenges over the years, including an aneurysm repair in 2007.
She began her career as a dancer, performing in Elvis Presley films before moving on to roles in television shows like Batman and Dr. Kildare.
Her film breakthrough came with a supporting role in 1974’s The Conversation, and she later established herself as a comedy actress, earning an Oscar nomination for her performance in Tootsie.
She also appeared in dramatic roles, such as in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Black Stallion, and graced screens in shows including Star Trek and That Girl.
Source-BBC
