Teri Garr: A Life Well-Lived In Hollywood

How Much Was Teri Garr Worth?

Teri Garr, the beloved American actress, comedian, and dancer, left behind a legacy worth $6 million at the time of her passing in October 2024. Known for her incredible talent and versatility, Garr earned an Academy Award nomination for her unforgettable role as Sandy Lester in the 1982 classic, "Tootsie." Her career was nothing short of remarkable, and she'll always be remembered for her contributions to film and television.

Teri’s career spanned decades, with over 150 acting credits. She graced the big screen in iconic films like "Young Frankenstein" (1974), "Oh, God!" (1977), "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977), "The Black Stallion" (1979), "Mr. Mom" (1983), "Dumb and Dumber" (1994), and "Prêt-à-Porter" (1994). On the small screen, she made appearances on beloved shows such as "McCloud" (1970–1975), "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" (1971–1974), "Good & Evil" (1991), "Good Advice" (1994), "Women of the House" (1995), and "Friends" (1997–1998). Her voice acting brought characters to life in "Batman Beyond" and animated features like "Aloha, Scooby-Doo!" (2005). Garr also shared her story in her autobiography, "Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood" (2005). Despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the late '90s, she continued to inspire until her retirement in 2011.

Where Did It All Begin?

Teri Garr was born Teri Ann Garr on December 11, 1944, in Lakewood, Ohio. Her journey into the world of entertainment was shaped by her family. Her mother, Phyllis, was a model, dancer, and wardrobe mistress for the Rockettes, while her father, Eddie, was an actor, comedian, and vaudeville performer who starred in the Broadway hit "Tobacco Road." Growing up in Cleveland and New Jersey, Teri and her older brothers, Phil and Ed, eventually moved to Los Angeles. Tragically, Eddie passed away from a heart attack when Teri was just 11 years old. This loss profoundly impacted her life, as she once said, "[It] left us bereft, without any kind of income. And I saw my mother be this incredibly strong, creative woman who put three kids through college—one of my brothers is a surgeon." Teri trained rigorously in ballet during her youth, often dancing until her feet bled. She attended North Hollywood High School and later spent two years at San Fernando Valley State College before moving to New York to pursue acting. There, she honed her craft at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and the Actors Studio.

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Her Journey in Show Business

Teri Garr's career began to take shape during her high school years when she auditioned for a traveling production of "West Side Story." While performing in the musical, she met choreographer David Winters, who later hired her for several projects, including a few Elvis Presley movies. Her film debut came in 1963's "A Swingin' Affair," and she appeared as a dancer in several Elvis films, including "Kissin' Cousins" (1964), "Viva Las Vegas" (1964), "What a Way to Go!" (1964), "Red Line 7000" (1965), and "Clambake" (1967). Garr's early career saw her appearing in films like "Girl Happy" (1965), "For Pete's Sake!" (1966), and "Head" (1968), as well as TV shows like "Mr. Novak" (1964) and "Batman" (1966). She became a regular on "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" (1971–1974) and "The Sonny and Cher Show" (1976–1977), cementing her place in pop culture.

Garr's breakout roles came in the '70s and '80s with performances in "Young Frankenstein" (1974), "Oh, God!" (1977), "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977), and "The Black Stallion" (1979). She hosted "Saturday Night Live" three times between 1980 and 1985 and starred alongside Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie" (1982), earning her an Academy Award nomination. Her career flourished in the '80s and '90s with roles in "Dumb and Dumber" (1994) and "Prêt-à-Porter" (1994). Garr's talent extended to voice acting, where she brought characters like Mary McGinnis from "Batman Beyond" to life. She also appeared in TV shows like "Dream On" (1992), "Murphy Brown" (1993), and "Friends" (1997–1998), playing Phoebe Buffay's birth mother.

Her Personal World

Teri Garr's personal life was as colorful as her career. She dated film executive Roger Birnbaum for seven years in the '80s and later had a seven-year relationship with physician David Kipper, whom she met through Carrie Fisher. In 1993, she married building contractor John O’Neil, and together they adopted a daughter, Molly, on their wedding day. However, their marriage ended in 1996. Garr faced challenges in her personal life, including dealing with a stalker in 1990 and being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999 after experiencing symptoms for nearly two decades. Despite her health struggles, she became a National Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and served as a National Chair for the Women Against MS program. In 2006, she spent a week in a coma due to a ruptured brain aneurysm but made a remarkable recovery with therapy. Teri was also a staunch supporter of The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.

Her Awards and Recognition

Teri Garr's talent was recognized with numerous accolades. In 1983, she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in "Tootsie." The film also earned her nominations from the BAFTA Awards and the National Society of Film Critics Awards. In 1994, she shared a National Board of Review Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble with her "Prêt-à-Porter" castmates. She was also nominated for a Saturn Award in 1978 for her performance in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and a CableACE Award in 1983 for her role in "Faerie Tale Theatre."

Her Home Sweet Home

In 1992, Garr purchased a charming 1,658-square-foot home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles for $1.455 million. The mid-1920s property featured two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a guest house, a pool, and a spa, spread across a lush .41-acre lot. In June 2008, she sold the home for an impressive $3.944 million, reflecting her savvy real estate move and her love for her Brentwood sanctuary.