Born into show business on December 11, 1949, in Lakewood, Ohio, Terri Garr is the daughter of Eddie Garr, a Broadway stage and film actor who died when she was eleven years of age and Phyllis Garr, a dancer. As an infant, the family lived in Hollywood, but moved to New Jersey. After the death of her father, the family returned to Hollywood where her mother got a job as a wardrobe mistress for movies and television. Terri began her career as a dancer when she was only thirteen, and can be viewed as such in nine Elvis Presley movies.
Her movie debut was in the 1963 film, “A Swingin’ Affair,” but her first speaking role came in 1968 in the film, “Head,” which starred “The Monkees.” The 1970s found her making many guest appearances on several television series and variety shows, including “Star Trek,” McCloud” and “The Sonny and Cher Show” in which she portrayed on a semi-regular basis Cher’s friend, Olivia.
There can be no question that Terri Garr’s star has risen and that she has become one of Hollywood’s most versatile and well-recognized actresses. She has appeared in many notable films over the last three decades, including Mel Brook’s “Young Frankenstein” (1974), “Oh, God!” (1977), Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977) and perhaps most notably, “Tootsie” in 1982, for which she earned a nomination for “Best Supporting Actress.”
Her marriage to John O’Neil Keenan ended in divorce in 1996 and the couple has one adopted daughter, Molly. She continues to work to this day, despite the devastating burden of multiple sclerosis, which went undiagnosed for many years. She is a Hollywood staple, so to speak and her talent and intelligence add depth to even the fluffiest of roles.
May she entertain her many, many fans with her fine work for many years to come.
What are some of your favorite Terri Garr performances? Please share.
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