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Lisa Kudrow mourns Teri Garr, calling onscreen ‘Friends’ mom a ‘comedic acting genius’

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Lisa Kudrow mourns Teri Garr, calling onscreen 'Friends' mom a 'comedic acting genius'

As a devoted fan of Friends and a student of the acting craft, I find it deeply saddening to bid farewell to the remarkable Teri Garr. Her comedic genius and indelible impact on my favorite sitcom are immeasurable. Playing Phoebe Abbott Sr., she brought a unique charm that resonated not only with the audience but also with Lisa Kudrow, who felt incredibly fortunate to have shared the screen with this legendary actress.

Lisa Kudrow is memorializing fellow “Friends” alum Teri Garr, who died Tuesday at age 79.

In the NBC sitcom that ran from 1994 to 2004 for 10 seasons, Garr portrayed Judy Abbott, the on-screen mother of Phoebe Buffay, played by Jennifer Aniston (Kudrow). This character made her debut in the Season 3 finale episode titled “The One at the Beach,” where Phoebe is reunited with her long-lost birth mother (Garr), during a group trip.

Following the news of Garr’s death, Kudrow revealed the two also shared a connection offscreen.

As a movie critic, let me express that Teri Garr’s comedic acting prowess has been a profound influence on me, an influence I believe many others can attest to as well. In a conversation with People, she humbly admitted feeling fortunate and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented individual, the Oscar-nominated actress we all know as her co-star in “Friends.

In the fourth season of the series, Jennifer Aniston returned to her character twice, appearing in episodes titled “The One with the Jellyfish” and “The One With Phoebe’s Uterus”, which were broadcast in 1998.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that Garr’s guest roles were nothing short of brilliant. Many fellow fans have praised her, some even going as far as saying she was “spot-on cast” due to her uncanny resemblance to Kudrow, not just physically, but also in terms of mannerisms – a trait that was particularly emphasized during her stint on “Friends.

Actress Garr, best known for her humorous roles in films such as “Young Frankenstein” (1974) and “Tootsie” (1982), passed away on Tuesday due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis. This information was confirmed by her publicist Heidi Schaeffer to The Times.

The actor, who originated in Hollywood, first experienced symptoms during the filming of “Tootsie,” as Today detailed, yet it wasn’t until 1999 that she was officially diagnosed – a period spanning almost two decades and involving 11 different doctors. In 2006, she published a memoir titled “Speedbumps: Navigating Hollywood” that delved into her health issues.

In her book, she describes Multiple Sclerosis as a cunning illness, comparing its unpredictable nature to certain boyfriends who tend to appear unexpectedly during inconvenient moments before vanishing without a trace.

Despite her condition, Garr continued working well into her 60s.

Regardless of the challenges we faced, she was always fun to be around whenever I encountered her,” actor Marilu Henner stated about another actor on Tuesday. (X)

Mel Brooks, the director of “Young Frankenstein,” credited newcomer Marty Feldman for adding the film’s unique humor and vibrant energy with his performance.

“Her ‘German’ accent had us all in stitches! She will be greatly missed,” Brooks said.

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2024-10-30 22:31

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