Michael Keaton, more stars remember Teri Garr: ‘A wonderful woman’

Michael Keaton is paying tribute to his comedic better half, Teri Garr.
Keaton, who co-starred as Garr’s husband in the 1983 comedy “Mr. Mom,” reflected on the actress’s death in an emotional Instagram post Tuesday.
“This is a day I feared and knew was coming,” Keaton wrote alongside an image of the film poster for “Mr. Mom.” “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.”
Fellow actor and Garr’s “After Hours” co-star Griffin Dunne shared his grief in the comments section, writing, “I can’t like on this. Too sad.”
Garr died Tuesday morning at age 79 following a “long battle” with multiple sclerosis, Garr’s publicist Heidi Schaeffer confirmed to USA TODAY. In 2002, Garr shared publicly on CNN’s “Larry King Live” that she had been diagnosed with the disease, which is commonly known as MS.
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The Oscar-nominated actress started her career with small gigs in Elvis Presley movies before her scene-stealing performances in films such as “Young Frankenstein” and “Tootsie.”
Here are messages from other stars paying tribute to Garr’s career and impact.
Teri Garr dies:’Young Frankenstein’ and ‘Tootsie’ star was 79
“Friends” star Lisa Kudrow opened up about her relationship with Garr in a touching statement to People magazine.
Garr played Phoebe Abbott Sr., the biological mother of Kudrow’s character Phoebe Buffay, for three episodes of the NBC sitcom from 1997-1998.
“Teri Garr was a comedic acting genius who was and is a huge influence on me, and I know I’m not alone in that,” Kudrow told the magazine. “I feel so lucky and grateful I got to work with Teri Garr.”
Former late-night TV host David Letterman shared a throwback clip of himself interviewing Garr in the ’80s. Garr was a favorite of talk-show hosts such as Letterman and Johnny Carson; her incandescent aura and quick wit often made for memorable appearances.
“Remembering one of our all-time favorite guests Teri Garr #RIP,” Letterman wrote on Instagram.
Garr’s other entertainment peers, including director Paul Feig and Monkees member Micky Dolenz, also paid tribute on social media. Feig, who directed Garr in 2006’s “Unaccompanied Minors,” called Garr’s death “devastating” in an X post.
“Teri was a legend. So funny, so beautiful, so kind,” Feig wrote. “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.”
Dolenz, who co-starred with Garr in the 1968 Monkees comedy “Head,” shared a black-and-white photo of the pair on Instagram.
“I had the pleasure of working briefly with Teri in the movie, ‘Head,’ and always remembered her infectious smile and charisma,” Dolenz wrote. “A charming talent and now a sad loss.”
Jon Cryer honored Garr’s film legacy with an X post citing his favorite flicks from the actress.
“My top three Teri Garr movies: ‘Oh God!,’ ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind,’ ‘Tootsie.’ Treat yourself #RIPTeriGarr,” Cryer wrote.
Garr’s “Kill the Man” co-star Michael McKean wrote on X, “I will always love Teri Garr.”
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“Taxi” star Marilu Henner gushed on X that 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!” Henner wrote. “Any time I saw her, no matter the struggles, she was always a blast! #RIP #OneOfAKind”
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Contributing: Jay Stahl and Marco della Cava, USA TODAY