How many Elvis movies featured Teri Garr? Explained
Teri Garr was an American actress who found fame as Sandy Lester in Sydney Pollack’s romantic comedy, Tootsie. Her portrayal of an acting student in the film earned her the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ nominations at the Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards in 1983.
Teri began her career in the early 1960s with small roles in films and television. She transitioned to more prominent roles and appeared in films like Young Frankenstein, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, After Hours, The Conversation, One from the Heart, Dumb and Dumber, The Black Stallion, Let It Ride, Ghost World, etc.
In 1964, she made her television debut in the drama series Mr. Novak and went on to star in popular shows like The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, Dr. Kildare, M*A*S*H, Star Trek, Room 222, The Girl with Something Extra, Friends, Law & Order, Frasier, etc.
Furthermore, Teri also starred in nine Elvis movies, including Viva Las Vegas, Roustabout and Girl Happy.
Teri Garr appeared as a background dancer in Elvis’ films
Teri Garr trained in ballet and other dance forms in her youth and worked as a background dancer in several of Elvis Presley’s musicals in the 1960s.
She made her feature film debut in Elvis’ musical comedy, Fun in Acapulco in 1963. She went on to appear in eight more Elvis films, including Viva Las Vegas in 1964, Kissin’ Cousins in 1964, Roustabout in 1964, Girl Happy in 1965 and Clambake in 1967.
In 2008, the actress reflected on her career as a background dancer in an interview with AVI Club by saying:
“I was always resenting the fact that I was an “extra”, because in those days, working on those musicals, you personally had to study for 10 years to be a dancer. And when you finally got a part as a dancer in a movie, you were put in the extras union.”
Teri Garr died of multiple sclerosis on October 29, 2024
Teri suffered from multiple sclerosis for many years and made her diagnosis public in October 2002. The Perfect Alibi star revealed that she first noticed symptoms of MS while shooting for Tootsie in New York in 1982.
The actress spoke about her decision to reveal her diagnosis in the 2002 interview by saying:
“I’m telling my story for the first time so I can help people. I can help people know they aren’t alone and tell them there are reasons to be optimistic because, today, treatment options are available.”
Following her revelation, the Good & Evil actress became the national ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Teri also described her health problems in detail in her autobiography titled Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood, published in 2006.
She continued acting in films and television shows over the next few years and made her last acting appearance in the television film, How to Marry a Billionaire in 2011.
Garr spent the next decade out of the limelight and died on October 29, 2024, in her Los Angeles home, surrounded by her family and friends. She was 79.
Following news of her death, several Hollywood celebrities shared heartfelt tributes to the actress on social media. Paul Feig, who directed Garr in the 2006 film, Unaccompanied Minors, posted on X:
Teri Garr is survived by her adopted daughter Molly O’Neil and grandson Tyryn.
Source: Sportskeeda
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