Teri Garr, actor, comedian and multiple sclerosis ambassador, dies at 79

Teri Garr, an actress and comedian who later became an ambassador for multiple sclerosis after being diagnosed in 1999, died Tuesday at her home in Los Angeles.. She was 79 years old and died from complications of multiple sclerosis.

Garr began her entertainment career as a dancer in nine Elvis Presley films, including Viva Las Vegas And Clambake. She transitioned from dancing to acting with bit parts. Dr Kildare, Batman, Star Trek, That Girl, The Bob Newhart Show And Maud.

“She achieved some of the outstanding results of the period in terms of what was then considered quality television,” noted Kelly Kessler, assistant professor of media and film studies at DePaul University. “But then we see her emerge, making a natural transition from the early dance routines she performed in the Elvis films… to the variety stage on 1970s television, where she performs alongside Cher and the Pointer Sisters.”

Garr starred in some of the biggest films of her time, including Talk, Mister Mom, Oh God!And Close Encounters of the Third Kind. But her breakthrough role was the sexy Inga in Young Frankenstein with Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks.

“And I think she got the role by simply answering the call of the cattle,” Kessler said.

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