Teri Garr, the shy yet sassy blonde actress known for her little-girl voice, deadpan comedic timing, and expressive eyes, passed away on Tuesday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 79. Garr became a star in 1970s and ’80s films and earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in “Tootsie.” Her publicist, Heidi Schaeffer, revealed that the cause of death was complications from multiple sclerosis.
Garr was diagnosed with the disease in 1999 after enduring 16 years of symptoms and medical evaluations, publicly sharing her condition in 2002. In late 2006, she suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm and was in a coma for a week, but she eventually regained her ability to walk and talk.
On screen, Garr’s captivating eyes conveyed a range of emotions—from pain and confusion to sympathy and determination—whether she was expressing joy at a new discovery or holding back tears. A common thread in her most memorable roles was the unpredictable behavior of the men surrounding her characters.
