Teri Garr Net Worth: Insights into Her Personal Life and Death

Teri Garr was a retired American actress, singer, and dancer, known for her extensive work in comedy and drama across a four-decade career. Teri Garr’s sudden death deeply saddened her countless fans.

Rising to fame with iconic roles in films like Young Frankenstein and Tootsie, Garr enjoyed a successful career spanning decades. Furthermore, she earned critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for her role in Tootsie.

Curious about the personal life, career, net worth, and facts of Teri Garr? Here, you’ll discover all the details about her.

Early Life & Education

On December 11, 1944, Teri Garr was born in Lakewood, Ohio, to Eddie Garr, a vaudeville performer, and Phyllis, a dancer and wardrobe mistress. She was 79 years old at the time of her death in 2024. With two older brothers, Ed and Phil, the family moved around often before finally settling in Los Angeles.

At 11, Teri lost her father to a heart attack, which resulted in financial strain on the family. Her mother, in response, displayed great resolve by working in NBC’s wardrobe department, which Teri found profoundly inspiring.

From a young age, Teri pursued ballet with intense dedication, often pushing herself past her physical limits. After attending North Hollywood High School and spending two years at San Fernando Valley State, she relocated to New York to study acting at the Actors Studio and Lee Strasberg Theatre, setting the stage for her career.

Teri Garr’s Profile Summary

• Full Name: Terry Ann Garr
• Date of Birth: December 11, 1944
• Place of Birth: Lakewood, Ohio, USA
• Died: 29 0ctober, 2024
• Profession: Actress, Singer, Dancer, Comedian
• Nationality: American
• Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
• Father: Eddie Garr
• Mother: Phyllis Garr
• Siblings: Phillip Garr, Edward Garr Jr.
• Ex-Spouse: John O’Neil
• Children: Molly O’Neil (Adopted)
• Marital Status: Divorced
• Years Active: 1963-2011
• Death Date: October 29, 2024
• Net Worth: $6 million (Approx.)

Physical Appearance

• Height: 5 ft 7 in
• Weight: 60 kg
• Eye Color: Blue
• Hair Color: Blonde

Personal Life

Teri Garr experienced several significant relationships throughout her life. In the early 1980s, Garr and film executive Roger Birnbaum began a seven-year relationship before eventually going their separate ways.

Following this, Garr entered into another seven-year relationship with physician David Kipper. Introduced to him by close friend Carrie Fisher, Garr and Kipper shared a meaningful connection during their time together.

In 1993, Garr married John O’Neil, a building contractor. That November, they adopted their daughter, Molly O’Neil. However, their relationship ended in 1996, three years later, with a divorce.

Career Details

Teri Garr’s career spanned an impressive range of film and television roles. Below are the standout moments that define her remarkable journey in the entertainment industry.

Early Career and Film Debut:

• 1963: Garr made her uncredited film debut in A Swingin’ Affair, marking the beginning of her career in Hollywood. During her senior year, she auditioned for West Side Story, where she met David Winters, who later became a mentor and offered her numerous roles in his projects.
• 1960s: Garr worked as a background dancer in youth-oriented films and television shows such as Pajama Party, Shindig!, and six Elvis Presley films, including the highly successful Viva Las Vegas (1964). Her role as a go-go dancer in TV shows like Hullabaloo and appearances on shows like Batman further built her career during this period.

First Speaking Roles and Breakthrough:

• 1968: Teri’s first speaking role came in the Monkees’ film Head, scripted by Jack Nicholson. The same year, she made her notable television appearance in Star Trek as Roberta Lincoln, which opened more doors in Hollywood.
• 1970s: Garr secured a steady role on The Ken Berry “WOW” Show in 1972 and soon after became a prominent cast member of The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, where her comedic talent garnered her considerable attention.

Rise to Stardom in Film:

• 1974: Garr gained significant recognition for her role as Inga in Mel Brooks’s Young Frankenstein, marking her entrance into major Hollywood roles.
• 1977: Her career further advanced with her performance in Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind, where she played the wife of Richard Dreyfuss. She also appeared in Oh, God! that same year alongside John Denver, excelling in both genres.
• 1979: She portrayed the mother in The Black Stallion, a film that received widespread praise.

Career-Defining Roles:

• 1982: Garr’s role in Tootsie, alongside Dustin Hoffman, earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. This film is considered one of the defining moments in her career.
• 1983-1985: She continued her success with roles in Mr. Mom (1983) and Martin Scorsese’s After Hours (1985), maintaining her status as one of the most versatile actresses of the era.

Later Work in Television and Film:

• 1980s: Garr frequently hosted Saturday Night Live (1980, 1983, 1985) and became well known for her appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, where her sharp, spontaneous humor helped define her public persona. She also portrayed Phoebe Buffay’s estranged biological mother in Friends.
• Late 1990s: Health issues linked to multiple sclerosis began to slow her career, yet Garr managed to continue working, taking supporting roles in Casper Meets Wendy (1998) and Dick (1999).

Return to the Stage and Final Roles:

• 2000: Garr’s return to the stage came with her role in The Vagina Monologues off-Broadway. Simultaneously, she explored voice acting, portraying Mary McGinnis in Batman Beyond (1999-2001).
• 2006-2007: Garr appeared in independent films like Unaccompanied Minors (2006), Expired (2007), and Kabluey (2007), continuing her work in both film and theater despite ongoing health challenges.

Teri Garr’s Net Worth

Teri Garr’s net worth was approximately $6 million at the time of her death. She acquired most of her fortune through her long career in acting. Despite stepping away from the spotlight due to health issues, syndication, royalties, and her writing career kept her financially secure.

Health Challenges & Death

Teri Garr publicly addressed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2002 to encourage others dealing with the condition.

She became a key figure for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, promoting positivity and awareness. Although a brain aneurysm in 2006 left her in a coma, she fought back, returning to public life to share her journey.

At age 79, Teri Garr passed away on October 29, 2024, in Los Angeles after a long journey with multiple sclerosis. Her contributions to the entertainment world and advocacy for MS awareness are lasting marks on her legacy.