Teri Garr: 5 Things About the Late ‘Tootsie’ Star Who Died After Battling Multiple Sclerosis

Teri Garr knew how to tickle moviegoers’ funny bone. Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, the late Young Frankenstein star appeared in countless comedic roles on screen, and she was even nominated for an Academy Award. Unfortunately, Teri’s life ended in October 2024. She died in Los Angeles following her years-long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Her cause of death is still unknown.

Hollywood Life rounded up five things you should know about the late beloved actress who starred in many fan-favorite comedies.

Teri Garr’s Most Famous Movies & TV Shows Were in the ’70s & ’80s

The actress is most famous for playing Sandy in Tootsie (1982), Inga in Young Frankenstein (1974) and Ronnie Neary in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1974). Of course, her acting credits expand way beyond those three titles. She has starred in more movies like After Hours (1985) and Mr. Mom (1983), and had recurring roles in television series like McCloud and Batman Beyond. 

Teri Garr in Young Frankenstein. (Crossbow Productions)

Teri Played Phoebe’s Mother in Friends

Who could forget that twist in the sitcom? Phoebe and Ursula Buffay’s birth mother was revealed to be Phoebe Abbott, portrayed by Teri.

Teri Was Living With Several Health Issues

Teri was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999, and then, suffered a brain aneurysm in December 2006. Multiple sclerosis is a “potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord,” according to Web MD.

During a 2002 interview on CNN, Teri described the pain she had been living with and when she learned that she had MS.

“Starting many years ago, I would run, jog in the park, and I just started tripping,” she explained at the time. “It was just, like, my toe. I would start to trip, and then, that would go away. Then, I would get some tingling in my arm. And I went to one doctor who said, ‘Oh, this is an orthopedic problem.’ … I called my brother in L.A. who is a doctor and he said, ‘You know, get another opinion.’ So, I went to a neurologist. And he said, ‘Yes, it’s a pinched nerve.'”

Despite her difficult health journey, Teri maintained a positive outlook about the condition, pointing out that “now, the good news is that there’s a lot of good medicines out there and options for people.”

She Retired From Acting in 2011

After her health issues worsened, Teri retired from acting. Her last role was playing Lindsey’s mom in a 2011 episode of How to Marry a Billionaire.

Teri Had One Child

She welcomed a daughter, Molly O’Neill, in 1993 with her ex-husband, actor John O’Neil.