Terry Garr’s acting career after MS diagnosis: life story

Mel Brooks Still wondering how Teri Gar Her audition for 1974 was clinched Young Frankenstein. “Those who were ready for the Inger part had their lines read in a normal way,” Mail said. Nearby. “When Frau Blucher was about to release the monster, they all said, ‘No, no, you must not.’ But not you! When Terry auditioned, he shouted, ‘No, no, not you!’ In a crazy-extra Germanic / Transylvanian accent. We all laughed out loud. We are very lucky to be able to work with him. ”

Terry, 74, the daughter of a Broadway performer and rocket, studied dance as a teenager and began auditioning as soon as she graduated from North Hollywood High School. One of her first achievements was as a dancer by Elvis Presley Long live Vegas. He has also starred in a variety of series Shindig!, Hullabalu And The Sony and Cher show Always before the growing fatigue of being in the background. “I finally asked myself, why am I not in front?” Teri remembered. “I haven’t studied all those years to stay behind and get any money.”

Young Frankenstein It will be a great success for Terry. Long ago, his versatile and brilliant presence would make him a star in movies Oh, God !, Close Encounters of the Third Kind And Mr. Mother. She was even nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1982 for her role Tutsi. “I was proud,” Terry said in his 2005 memoir Speedbumps: Flooring brick through Hollywood. “The academy just didn’t know I was there, they thought I was fine.”

The actress, who has worked so hard and often spent a whole year out of the hotel, blamed her childhood on her hard work ethic. Terry’s father, Eddie Garr, a theater actor who started in Vaudeville, died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 11. Later, her mother, Phyllis, a former dancer and Hollywood wardrobe mistress, struggled to support the family. “I saw my mother, this incredibly strong, creative woman who had three kids enrolled in college,” Terry said. “We always had to work hard. It inspired me very quickly. “

While filming Tutsi in New York, Terry began to feel restless at his feet. “I’ll be jogging in the park, and I’ve just started tripping. I will start the trip and then it will go away. Then I would shake my arm a little, “he recalls. Unfortunately, it would take years to figure out what was wrong.” I went to see 11 doctors. It was a very difficult diagnosis. ” In 1999, it was finally determined that Terry had multiple sclerosis, an incurable disease of the nervous system that affected the brain’s ability to communicate with the body.

Teri has gone public with her illness Larry King Live Three years later, though, rumors about his health have already spread – and are hurting his ability to get a job. “Gossip has had an immediate and devastating effect on my career. The phone rang to inquire about my health, but when asked about my availability for the role, it was ‘Adios, Amigos,’ “he admitted. Instead of retreating, Terry used his fame and ill-fated experience to illuminate the MS. He began speaking at National MS Society events, becoming, among others, a spokesperson for MS and writing memoirs. “I thought I could show how much difference a positive attitude can make,” Terry said. “Together with medication and treatment, a positive attitude and a sense of humor go a long way.”

Today your daughter, Molly O’NeillWhich the actress took during her brief marriage to the actor John O’Neill, Remains a constant in his life. Molly, 28, “is a great example of what inspires me and what I live for,” Terry said. Nearby In 2015. “She’s always there when I need her.” This was especially true in 2006 when Molly called an ambulance after failing to wake Teri. The actress suffered a brain aneurysm and was in a coma for a week, but Molly’s quick thought saved Terry’s life.

Despite all these pitfalls, Teri never let himself be bitter. “I do not see the point in shaking it. It’s just a waste of time, “said the actress, who likes to consider her health problems at times as a” weird gift. ” I keep reading and I think, ‘This thing is great. Why haven’t I read it before?’ Because I was too busy shopping or took an 8-by-10 from me. ”

He admits that slowness did not seem normal to him, but he is proud of what he has achieved. “It is very difficult to be an actress in a competitive field. You have to be fully driven and obsessed, but you get over it, “Teri said.” I’m lucky in my career. I’ve done some great movies – and I want to take a break now. ” But there are some things that Teri misses. “I was a dancer,” she said. “So sometimes I dream of dancing.”

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