From dancing with Elvis to fame in Hollywood

Teri Garr, who died this week at the age of 79 after a long battle with multiple sclerosisthis was the definition of a comedy icon. The star of such classics as Young Frankenstein, Tootsie AND Mr. Mom she was instantly recognizable for her blonde and blue-eyed charm, funny facial expressions, fabulously witty delivery and impeccable comic timing, and she delighted audiences for decades with over 150 credits to her name.

Garr’s achievements as an actress are undeniably impressive (she even received an Oscar nomination for her role in the film). Tootsie) and led a unique life. Here are some fascinating facts you might not have known about the ever-lovable star.

Teri Garr’s Hollywood Roots: Born into showbiz

Teri Garr was exposed to the entertainment industry from an early age. Her father, Eddie Garrhe was an actor and vaudeville performer who performed opposite Marilyn Monroe in the 1948 musical Ladies from the choir. Unfortunately, he died when Teri was only 11 years old. Her mother, Phyllis Garrwas a Rockette who later became a costume designer.

Teri Garr started dancing with Elvis Presley

Garr is most associated with films from the ’70s and ’80s, but she got her start in the ’60s, and while most of her earliest roles were uncredited and uncredited, that doesn’t make them any less impressive. Garr started her career as a dancer and was seen showing off her moves Elvis musicals like Live in Las Vegas, Kissing cousins, Roustabout AND Clambake.

Looking back at her Elvis films, Garr said: “I made about six or seven Elvis films, all in a row. He shot all these films in two years. All bad“

Teri Garr and Carrie Fisher were roommates and lifelong friends

Early in her career, Garr was the roommate of another late ’70s star Carrie Fisher. The two actresses remained friends, and as proof of their enduring peace, a photo of them from 1977 with another It Girl appeared Amy Irving has become a staple of social media.

Her first speaking film role was as Monkees

By the late 1960s, Garr had already made several appearances as a dancer in teen films, and then moved into speaking roles with a brief but memorable role in the notorious film Headvehicle from 1968 Monkees which was written and produced by Jack Nicholson. The film fully reflected the psychedelic culture of the time, which caused decidedly mixed reactions from moviegoers who expected pure pop star vibes.

Teri Garr’s sci-fi debut Star Trek AND Close encounters

Garr’s most notable role was in 1968 Star Trek episode “Assignment: Earth”, which was originally intended to serve as a pilot for a spinoff series. The actress was glad that the spin-off never took place, and she perceived her character as a nonsense stereotype. As she recalls in her memoirs: “I played Roberta Lincoln, a tight-fitting secretary in a pink and orange suit with a very short skirt. If the spin-off had been successful, I would have continued as an Earth agent, working to save humanity. In a very short skirt.”

Garr returned to the world of science fiction in 1977, playing one of her most famous roles as Ryszard Dreyfusswife w Steven Spielbergclassic Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

She was part of it An hour of Sonny and Cher comedy

In 1972, Garr became a cast member of the series An hour of Sonny and Cher comedyand performed in comic skits with a musical duo. Her work with Cher helped shape the iconic role in a surprising way, revealing that her exaggerated accent in the 1974 film Mel Brooks comedy Young Frankenstein was inspired by a statement from a wig pop diva who said:Wigmaker Cher she was from Düsseldorf, so I just impersonated her.” The rest is comedy history!

How Teri Garr Became David Letterman’s Favorite Guest

Garr was just as funny in real life as she was in the movies and in the beginning David Lettermanshe was a frequent guest on the evening show, appearing over 30 times. Garr was one of the few guests who could deliver banter and sarcasm as well as the acerbic host, and viewers couldn’t get enough of their comic chemistry.

Following the news of her death, Letterman wrote: “Teri Garr was a frequent featured artist in… Late night she gave it prestige and importance that would not have been possible without her. Was first-class actor and comedian and a wonderful man. A bright star and a true friend of the series. I was lucky to have met her. She took everything to the next level and I’m sad she’s gone.

She played many wives, but did not marry until later in life

An actress who often stole the show in supporting roles, Garr played many girlfriends and wives throughout her career. Although she excelled in these fields, she herself did not get married until 1993, when she was 49 years old. That same year, she married John O’Neil, a building contractor, and they adopted a daughter, Molly. They divorced in 1996.

Teri Garr changed her name early on

Teri Garr’s first name was Terry, but she decided to change the spelling early in her career when a numerologist told her that double letters in her name were bad luck. She once joked that seeing a numerologist was “best $35 ever spent” and was a major success in Hollywood – although that probably had more to do with her brilliant comic talents than with the spelling of her name.

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