Teri Garr, actor from Tootsie and Friends, dies aged 79

If there’s ever a woman who’s smart, funny or witty, people are afraid of that, so they don’t write that.”

She added

Tina FeysNL personalities

There was a time when Teri Garr was in everything. She was adorable, but also very real. Her body was real, her teeth were real, and you thought that she could be your friend.”

Tina Fey once told Entertainment Weekly

Paul Feigdirector

Oh man, this is devastating. Teri was a legend. So funny, so beautiful, so kind. 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.”

Bridesmaids and The Heat director Paul Feig, who directed Garr in the 2006 comedy Unaccompanied Minors, paid tribute on social media

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,

she said in a 2008 interview

Teri Garractress

Women are not taken seriously,

Garr said in a 2008 interview, speaking about the lack of roles available to her

I’m telling my story for the first time so I can help people,

she said

God speed Teri Garr. Her mere presence in any film just made everything better. An absolute brilliant wit made her one of the greatest comedic actors."

Fans flocked to social media as they paid tribute to the actress as one person penned

I've always had a crush on Teri Garr. I always will. Rest in peace, you beautiful, wonderful woman,

a fourth shared

The huge losses this year in the entertainment industry continue with the death of Teri Garr today. A lovely lady with amazing comedic timing, her frequent guest appearances on David Letterman’s shows were always something I looked forward to. RIP."

A third wrote

She was ALWAYS so good in everything she did, no matter the size of part, genre of Movie or TV show - she just always always delivered. RIP the wonderful TERI GARR. She was 79."

Another commented

Teri Garractress

Cher had this German woman, Renata, making wigs, so I got the accent from her,

Garr once recalled

I was afraid that I wouldn’t get work,

she explained in a 2003 interview

Paul Feigdirector

Never the star, but always shining. She made everything she was in better."

Admirers took to social media in her honor, with writer-director Paul Feig calling her "truly one of my comedy heroes

I would like to play ‘Norma Rae’ and ‘Sophie’s Choice,’ but I never got the chance,

she once said, adding

My mother taught me that showbiz people never tell their real ages. She never revealed hers or my father’s,

she wrote

Would you like to have a roll in the hay?”

Wilder pauses, taken aback by her apparent forward proposition