Veteran comedic actress and underground filmmaker passes away at 79 and 86 respectively
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The entertainment world has lost a shining star with the passing of a veteran comedic actress whose talent and charm graced the silver screen for decades.
At 79, her life was a testament to her resilience and passion for her craft despite a long and arduous health battle that ultimately led to her demise.
The world of avant-garde cinema and the legacy of the New York art scene also lost a pivotal figure with the passing of a filmmaker who brought a unique and provocative vision to the silver screen.
He was 86, passed away in a New York hospital after a bout with pneumonia, leaving behind a body of work that continues to influence and challenge the norms of filmmaking and art.
Teri Garr's journey in Hollywood was nothing short of remarkable.
From her early days as a background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to her Oscar-nominated performance in Tootsie, Garr's career was marked by memorable roles showcasing her versatility and comedic timing.
Her death on Tuesday in Los Angeles has left fans and colleagues reflecting on her legacy and indelible mark on the industry.
Born into a showbiz family, with her father, Eddie Garr, a vaudeville comedian, and her mother, Phyllis Lind, a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, Garr seemed destined for the spotlight.
Her appearances in nine Elvis Presley films, including Viva Las Vegas and Clambake, began a career spanning over 150 acting credits.
Garr's breakthrough came with her role in the 1974 Francis Ford Coppola thriller The Conversation.
Still, her performance as Gene Wilder's lab assistant in Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein established her as a comedy queen.
Her ability to nail a German accent, which she learned from Cher's wig maker, Renata, was a testament to her dedication and talent.
Her career flourished with roles in Mr Mom' alongside Michael Keaton, Out Cold with John Lithgow, and Mom and Dad Save the World.
On television, she earned acclaim for her work in series like Star Trek, McCloud, Good & Evil, and Women of the House.
Garr also had a memorable guest stint on the sitcom Friends, portraying the mother of Lisa Kudrow's character, Phoebe Buffay.
Despite her success, Garr faced significant health challenges.
She revealed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2002 and underwent emergency brain aneurysm surgery four years later.
Her courage in the face of adversity was inspiring.
She became the National Multiple Sclerosis Society spokeswoman and shared her experiences in her 2005 autobiography, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood.
In her book, Garr candidly discussed the subtle signs her body gave her before her diagnosis, emphasising her dancer's intuition and the unexpected betrayal by her own body.
Her openness about her condition brought much-needed attention to multiple sclerosis and encouraged others living with the disease.
Garr's publicist confirmed that she died of complications due to multiple sclerosis.
This condition affects the central nervous system and can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems.
Her battle with the disease was fought with the same grace and humour that characterised her performances.
As Hollywood mourns Teri Garr's death, we remember her for the laughter she brought into our lives and for her bravery and advocacy.
Her performances immortalise her contributions to film and television, and her spirit will continue to inspire those who face their health battles.
Meanwhile, Born in 1938 in Manhattan, Morrissey's journey was as unconventional as his films.
He was raised in a Catholic environment and attended Catholic schools and university, followed by a stint in the US Army.
His early career saw him opening an underground cinema in the East Village in 1960, where he showcased his short films and the early work of other filmmakers like Brian De Palma.
1965, Morrissey's path intersected with Andy Warhol's, leading to a collaboration defining an era.
Morrissey's vision intrigued Warhol, who brought him into the fold of the Factory, Warhol's famed studio and the epicentre of a cultural revolution.
Morrissey quickly became a key player, managing the Velvet Underground and Nico and co-conceiving the Exploding Plastic Inevitable, a series of multimedia 'happenings' that combined art, music, and film in a sensory overload that epitomised the 1960s counterculture.
Morrissey's directorial work with Warhol's superstars—models, socialites, artists, drag queens, and transgender actors—yielded raw, unapologetic, and groundbreaking films.
His trilogy of Flesh (1968), Trash (1970), and Women in Revolt (1971) pushed boundaries with their candid depictions of drug addicts and hustlers and satirical takes on the women's liberation movement.
These films starred Joe Dallesandro, Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, and Jackie Curtis and remain cult classics today.
Despite the success, Morrissey's relationship with Warhol was complex.
After parting ways in 1974, Morrissey resented Warhol for taking too much credit for their collaborative work.
Yet, this partnership brought a narrative structure and cinéma vérité direction to the Factory's films, with Morrissey often emphasising the importance of the actors over the directors.
Morrissey's post-Warhol career continued to be prolific.
He directed The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978), a Sherlock Holmes spoof starring Dudley Moore and Peter Cook, and Forty Deuce (1982), which featured Kevin Bacon and was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.
His final film, News From Nowhere, was released in 2010.
He was a maverick who challenged the status quo, a conservative amid a liberal art world, and a filmmaker who believed in the power of his actors to bring stories to life.
His films, often shot with a raw, unfiltered lens, captured the essence of a gritty, vibrant, and authentic New York.
Morrissey leaves a legacy that inspires filmmakers and artists who dare to see the world through a different lens.
His brother Kenneth, his eight nieces and nephews, and the indelible mark he left on cinema survive him.
As we bid farewell to Teri Garr and Paul Morrissey, we remember their extraordinary contributions to film and indelible marks on the industry.
Teri's infectious laughter and unwavering spirit inspired many, while Paul’s groundbreaking vision challenged artistic norms.
May they both rest in peace and be celebrated forever in their fans' hearts and their work's legacy.
At 79, her life was a testament to her resilience and passion for her craft despite a long and arduous health battle that ultimately led to her demise.
The world of avant-garde cinema and the legacy of the New York art scene also lost a pivotal figure with the passing of a filmmaker who brought a unique and provocative vision to the silver screen.
He was 86, passed away in a New York hospital after a bout with pneumonia, leaving behind a body of work that continues to influence and challenge the norms of filmmaking and art.
Teri Garr's journey in Hollywood was nothing short of remarkable.
From her early days as a background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to her Oscar-nominated performance in Tootsie, Garr's career was marked by memorable roles showcasing her versatility and comedic timing.
Her death on Tuesday in Los Angeles has left fans and colleagues reflecting on her legacy and indelible mark on the industry.
Veteran comedic actress Teri Garr has passed away at 79 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Credit: Facebook
Born into a showbiz family, with her father, Eddie Garr, a vaudeville comedian, and her mother, Phyllis Lind, a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, Garr seemed destined for the spotlight.
Her appearances in nine Elvis Presley films, including Viva Las Vegas and Clambake, began a career spanning over 150 acting credits.
Garr's breakthrough came with her role in the 1974 Francis Ford Coppola thriller The Conversation.
Still, her performance as Gene Wilder's lab assistant in Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein established her as a comedy queen.
Her ability to nail a German accent, which she learned from Cher's wig maker, Renata, was a testament to her dedication and talent.
Her career flourished with roles in Mr Mom' alongside Michael Keaton, Out Cold with John Lithgow, and Mom and Dad Save the World.
On television, she earned acclaim for her work in series like Star Trek, McCloud, Good & Evil, and Women of the House.
Garr also had a memorable guest stint on the sitcom Friends, portraying the mother of Lisa Kudrow's character, Phoebe Buffay.
Despite her success, Garr faced significant health challenges.
She revealed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2002 and underwent emergency brain aneurysm surgery four years later.
Her courage in the face of adversity was inspiring.
She became the National Multiple Sclerosis Society spokeswoman and shared her experiences in her 2005 autobiography, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood.
In her book, Garr candidly discussed the subtle signs her body gave her before her diagnosis, emphasising her dancer's intuition and the unexpected betrayal by her own body.
Her openness about her condition brought much-needed attention to multiple sclerosis and encouraged others living with the disease.
Garr's publicist confirmed that she died of complications due to multiple sclerosis.
This condition affects the central nervous system and can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems.
Her battle with the disease was fought with the same grace and humour that characterised her performances.
As Hollywood mourns Teri Garr's death, we remember her for the laughter she brought into our lives and for her bravery and advocacy.
Her performances immortalise her contributions to film and television, and her spirit will continue to inspire those who face their health battles.
Meanwhile, Born in 1938 in Manhattan, Morrissey's journey was as unconventional as his films.
He was raised in a Catholic environment and attended Catholic schools and university, followed by a stint in the US Army.
Filmmaker Paul Morrissey, known for his work with Andy Warhol and cult films, has died at 86. Credit: Paul Morissey
His early career saw him opening an underground cinema in the East Village in 1960, where he showcased his short films and the early work of other filmmakers like Brian De Palma.
1965, Morrissey's path intersected with Andy Warhol's, leading to a collaboration defining an era.
Morrissey's vision intrigued Warhol, who brought him into the fold of the Factory, Warhol's famed studio and the epicentre of a cultural revolution.
Morrissey quickly became a key player, managing the Velvet Underground and Nico and co-conceiving the Exploding Plastic Inevitable, a series of multimedia 'happenings' that combined art, music, and film in a sensory overload that epitomised the 1960s counterculture.
Morrissey's directorial work with Warhol's superstars—models, socialites, artists, drag queens, and transgender actors—yielded raw, unapologetic, and groundbreaking films.
His trilogy of Flesh (1968), Trash (1970), and Women in Revolt (1971) pushed boundaries with their candid depictions of drug addicts and hustlers and satirical takes on the women's liberation movement.
These films starred Joe Dallesandro, Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, and Jackie Curtis and remain cult classics today.
Despite the success, Morrissey's relationship with Warhol was complex.
After parting ways in 1974, Morrissey resented Warhol for taking too much credit for their collaborative work.
Yet, this partnership brought a narrative structure and cinéma vérité direction to the Factory's films, with Morrissey often emphasising the importance of the actors over the directors.
Morrissey's post-Warhol career continued to be prolific.
He directed The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978), a Sherlock Holmes spoof starring Dudley Moore and Peter Cook, and Forty Deuce (1982), which featured Kevin Bacon and was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.
His final film, News From Nowhere, was released in 2010.
He was a maverick who challenged the status quo, a conservative amid a liberal art world, and a filmmaker who believed in the power of his actors to bring stories to life.
His films, often shot with a raw, unfiltered lens, captured the essence of a gritty, vibrant, and authentic New York.
Morrissey leaves a legacy that inspires filmmakers and artists who dare to see the world through a different lens.
His brother Kenneth, his eight nieces and nephews, and the indelible mark he left on cinema survive him.
Teri's infectious laughter and unwavering spirit inspired many, while Paul’s groundbreaking vision challenged artistic norms.
May they both rest in peace and be celebrated forever in their fans' hearts and their work's legacy.
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