Teri Garr, beloved actress known for her roles in Young Frankenstein and Tootsie, has passed away at the age of 79. Her publicist, Heidi Schaeffer, confirmed to The Post that Garr died Tuesday morning in Los Angeles following a long battle with multiple sclerosis.

Teri Garr (December 11, 1944 – October 29, 2024) was a celebrated American actress, comedienne, and dancer whose career spanned over five decades. Best known for her quirky charm and comedic timing, Garr became a beloved actor. She is best known for her performances in films like Young Frankenstein (1974) and Tootsie (1982).

Born in Lakewood, Ohio, Garr grew up immersed in the arts. Her mother, Phyllis Lind Garr, was a model and wardrobe consultant, and her father, Eddie Garr, was a vaudevillian performer and actor. After the sudden death of her father when she was a young child, Garr’s family moved to California, where she developed a passion for performing. She pursued dance early in life, attending North Hollywood High School and later enrolling at the Actors Studio and UCLA to study drama and acting.

Garr began her career in the 1960s as a dancer, making appearances on TV variety shows, including The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and Shindig!. Her early work also included uncredited roles in several Elvis Presley films.

Her breakout role came in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (1974), where she played Inga, the lovable and flirtatious assistant to Gene Wilder’s Dr. Frankenstein. Garr’s performance in the film showcased her impeccable comedic instincts and set the stage for future success in both film and television. This was followed by another memorable role in Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), where she portrayed a frustrated housewife grappling with her husband’s obsession with alien encounters.

Garr’s career reached new heights in 1982 when she co-starred alongside Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie. Her role as Sandy Lester, an insecure actress struggling to find work, earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she continued to appear in a variety of films and TV shows, including Mr. Mom (1983) and Friends, where she had a recurring role as Phoebe Buffay’s eccentric birth mother.

In the late 1990s, Garr’s health became a more urgent concern. After experiencing symptoms for years, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1999. Despite the challenges of the disease, she remained active in the industry and used her platform to raise awareness about MS. Garr became an advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, openly sharing her experiences to inspire others living with the condition.

She is survived by her daughter, Molly O’Neil, 30, and a grandson.

Rest In Peace.