David Letterman, Michael Keaton, Richard Dreyfuss, Steve Martin Among Hollywood Stars Remembering Comedy Legend Teri Garr: “This Is A Day I Feared”
David Letterman is calling Teri Garr, who died Tuesday, one of his “all time favorite guests,” while Garr’s Mr. Mom costar Michael Keaton laments “a day I feared and knew was coming.” And Richard Dreyfuss, who costarred with Garr in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, remembers her as “vibrant, playful and so funny.”
The late, great Teri Garr, who brightened everything from sitcoms (Batman, That Girl, Friends), variety shows (Shindig!, The Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour), talk shows (she did ’em all, but her classic appearances with Letterman can’t be beat), some of the funniest movies ever made (Young Frankenstein, Tootsie) and even the occasional drama (Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Conversation) is being remembered by co-stars and colleagues today for the light she was.
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“I adored Teri,” tweeted Dreyfuss. “She was vibrant, playful and so funny. Her essence created an ease in every scene we did together. I’ll miss her.”
Michael Keaton, Garr’s Mr. Mom co-star, wrote on Instagram, “This is a day i feared and knew was coming. Forget about how great she was as an actress and comedienne. she was a wonderful woman. not just great to work with but great to be around. AND go back and watch her comedic work – Man, was she great!! RIP girl.”
In a brief post on Instagram, Letterman writes, “Remembering one of our all-time favorite guests,” accompanied by a clip of the talk show host introducing Garr while giving her a standing ovation.
“Oh man, this is devastating,” tweeted Paul Feig, who directed Garr in Unaccompanied Minors. “Teri was a legend. So funny, so beautiful, so kind. I had the honor of working with her in 2006 and she was everything I dreamed she would be. Truly one of my comedy heroes. I couldn’t have loved her more. This is such a loss.”
Michael McKean, who costarred with Garr in 1999’s Kill The Man, wrote, “I will always love Teri Garr.”
Producer Gale Ann Hurd wrote, “A truly fantastic actor and person…we worked together briefly on Dick and I’ll never forget her. Valiant as she dealt with the ravages of MS, never complaining, terrified she’d lose her SAG health insurance. We live in a country where #TerriGarr had to worry about that.”
Deadline will be adding additional tributes as they arrive…
I adored Teri. She was vibrant, playful and so funny. Her essence created an ease in every scene we did together. I’ll miss her. pic.twitter.com/O9m0hKlPOK
— Richard Dreyfuss (@RichardDreyfuss) October 30, 2024
Loved her so much. pic.twitter.com/lcPqY6inyZ
— Steve Martin (@UnrealBluegrass) October 29, 2024
Rest In Peace, Teri Garr.
A talented and wonderful gal. 🙏
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Episode 5 -Joe Piscopo as John F. Kennedy, Teri Garr as Marilyn Monroe during "Kennedy: The Man Behind the Woman!" skit on November 12, 1983 (Photo by Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via… pic.twitter.com/eJJbuMxIJh— Joe Piscopo (@JrzyJoePiscopo) October 29, 2024
Teri Garr was always my idol. When she starred opposite my first husband, Frederic Forrest, in One From the Heart, I was in awe of her dramatic chops, her comedy ease, and her very big heart! Any time I saw her, no matter the struggles, she was always a blast! #RIP #OneOfAKind
— Marilu Henner (@TheRealMarilu) October 29, 2024
My top three Teri Garr movies:
Oh God!
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Tootsie
Treat yourself #RIPTeriGarr— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) October 29, 2024
RIP Teri Garr. Here she is, age 17, dancing with Toni Basil on The T.A.M.I. Show. https://t.co/UGNTanSun6
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 29, 2024
A truly fantastic actor and person…we worked together briefly on DICK and I’ll never forget her. Valiant as she dealt with the ravages of MS, never complaining, terrified she’d lose her SAG health insurance. We live in a country where #TerriGarr had to worry about that. 😢 https://t.co/YLOXH7g55l
— Gale Anne Hurd (@GunnerGale) October 29, 2024
I will always love Teri Garr.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) October 29, 2024
Oh man, this is devastating. Teri was a legend. So funny, so beautiful, so kind. I had the honor of working with her in 2006 and she was everything I dreamed she would be. Truly one of my comedy heroes. I couldn’t have loved her more. This is such a loss. https://t.co/Uf7q4M59XI
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) October 29, 2024
The Conversation, Young Frankenstein, Oh God!, Close Encounters, Tootsie, After Hours– so many great performances in so many great movies. Never the star, but always shining. She made everything she was in better. RIP, Teri Garr. pic.twitter.com/7impjAp73D
— Cinco Paul (@cincopedia) October 29, 2024
One of my favorite comedic actresses has passed away. She was sweet, funny, unique and kind. Rest in peace Teri Garr. Love and blessings to her family. Teri Garr, the offbeat comic actor of 'Young Frankenstein' and 'Tootsie,' has died. #TeriGarr #actress https://t.co/xO9xBN9J4B pic.twitter.com/BvsKwvdRID
— Lydia Cornell (@LydiaCornell) October 29, 2024
“Put the candle back!”
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974)
RIP the wonderful TERI GARR
pic.twitter.com/jUa7jlobws— Michael Warburton (@TheMonologist) October 29, 2024
RIP the completely irresistible Teri Garr. In classics like Tootsie and Young Frankenstein she was a uniquely hilarious and touching presence. Bubbly, conflicted and yearning, she created her own sublime archetype. Audiences adored her and she battled MS with great courage. pic.twitter.com/Zj9bXX3bcY
— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) October 29, 2024
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