Teri Garr Net Worth, Breakthrough Roles and Acclaim, Awards, Nominations, And Assets
Teri Garr is a renowned American actress, comedian, and dancer with a net worth of $6 million. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Sandy Lester in the 1982 film Tootsie. With over 150 acting credits, her illustrious career spans iconic films such as Young Frankenstein (1974), Oh, God! (1977), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), The Black Stallion (1979), Mr. Mom (1983), Dumb and Dumber (1994), and Prêt-à-Porter (1994). Additionally, Teri has appeared in popular TV shows, including McCloud (1970–1975), The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1971–1974), Good Advice (1994), Women of the House (1995), and Friends (1997–1998).
Teri Garr also lent her voice to various projects such as Batman Beyond (1999–2000), Aloha, and Scooby-Doo! (2005), Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (1994), King of the Hill (2000), and What’s New, Scooby-Doo? (2003). In 2005, she released her autobiography, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the late ’90s, Teri retired from acting in 2011.
Early Life
Teri Ann Garr was born on December 11, 1944, in Lakewood, Ohio. Her mother, Phyllis, was a model, dancer, and wardrobe mistress for the Rockettes, while her father, Eddie Garr, was an actor, comedian, and vaudeville performer known for his role in the Broadway play Tobacco Road. Teri grew up with her two brothers, Phil and Ed, in Cleveland and New Jersey before the family moved to Los Angeles. Tragically, Teri’s father passed away from a heart attack when she was just 11 years old.
Teri’s childhood was shaped by her mother’s determination to support her three children, putting them through college despite financial struggles. Garr trained intensely in ballet, even dancing until her “feet would be bleeding.” She attended North Hollywood High School and later spent two years at San Fernando Valley State College. To pursue her dream of acting, she moved to New York and studied at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute as well as the Actors Studio.
Career Beginnings
While still in high school, Teri auditioned for a traveling production of West Side Story. It was during this production that she met David Winters, who later cast her in several Elvis Presley films. Teri’s first film appearance was in A Swingin’ Affair (1963). Throughout the ’60s, she appeared in several Elvis films as a dancer, including Kissin’ Cousins (1964), Viva Las Vegas (1964), and Clambake (1967). She also had uncredited roles in numerous other films and television shows during this time.
By the end of the 1960s, Teri had gained acting roles in films like Girl Happy (1965), The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Chinese Junk (1967), Head (1968), and Changes (1969). On television, she made guest appearances on shows such as Mr. Novak (1964), and Shindig! (1964–1965), Dr. Kildare (1965), Batman (1966), Star Trek (1968), and The Andy Griffith Show (1968). Teri was also a regular on The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1971–1974) and The Ken Berry ‘Wow’ Show (1972).
Breakthrough Roles and Acclaim
Teri Garr’s career took off in the 1970s with her role as Inga in Young Frankenstein (1974), followed by memorable performances in Oh, God! (1977), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), and The Black Stallion (1979). She solidified her position as a leading actress with her Oscar-nominated performance in Tootsie (1982). The film was preserved in the National Film Registry in 1998 for its cultural and historical significance.
In the ’80s, Garr appeared in films like Witches’ Brew (1980), The Escape Artist (1982), Mr. Mom (1983), Firstborn (1984), Miracles (1986), and Let It Ride (1989). She hosted Saturday Night Live three times between 1980 and 1985 and had guest roles in shows like Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) and Sesame Street (1987). Teri also starred in TV movies such as Prime Suspect (1982), The Winter of Our Discontent (1983), and Pack of Lies (1987).
Continued Success in the ’90s
In the 1990s, Teri Garr continued to impress with roles in films like Dumb and Dumber (1994), Prêt-à-Porter (1994), and Michael (1996). She also played notable roles in TV series such as Good & Evil (1991), Good Advice (1994), and Women of the House (1995). Her portrayal of Phoebe Abbott, Phoebe Buffay’s birth mother, in Friends (1997–1998) remains a fan favorite.
Garr performed off-Broadway in The Vagina Monologues in 2000 and continued to take on acting projects, including roles in Ghost World (2001) and Unaccompanied Minors (2006).
Personal Life
Teri Garr has had notable relationships, including a seven-year romance with film executive Roger Birnbaum and a relationship with physician David Kipper. In 1993, Teri married John O’Neil, and they adopted a daughter, Molly, that same year. However, the couple divorced in 1996.
Teri Garr revealed in 2002 that she had been battling multiple sclerosis for nearly 19 years. She became a National Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and was actively involved in raising awareness about the condition. In 2006, she faced another health challenge when she suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm, spending a week in a coma. Through therapy, she regained her speech and motor skills.
Awards and Nominations
In 1983, Teri Garr received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Tootsie, and she earned additional nominations from the BAFTA Awards and the National Society of Film Critics. Her role in Prêt-à-Porter earned her a National Board of Review Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble. Teri also received nominations from the Saturn Awards and the CableACE Awards for her other performances.
Asset
In 1992, Teri Garr purchased a 1,658-square-foot home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, for $1.455 million. The property featured a guest house, pool, and spa. In 2008, she sold the home for $3.944 million, marking a significant profit. Teri Garr’s contributions to film, television, and comedy remain influential, leaving behind a rich legacy in the entertainment industry.
