The Great Teri Garr Gets the Star Treatment in Hollywood
If you’re a little too young, you may not know who Teri Garr is. She was the star of “Mr. Mom” with Michael Keaton. She was David Letterman’s favorite and constant guest when he had his NBC show. Garr was also in countless movie and TV shows until she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She was cute and funny, and she still is. Last week Teri was honored for her work on MS by Nancy Davis at the 19th annual ‘Glam Rock to Erase MS,’ in Century City.
Our LEAH SYDNEY reports that, “The indefatigable Nancy Davis (daughter of Barbara and the mogul Marvin Davis) hosted the event. Nancy is a survivor and advocate of Multiple Sclerosis, and has worked tirelessly to find a cure for MS. Her Nancy Davis Foundation has raised upwards of $24 million. Nancy spoke and then introduced Teri Garr, who was honored for her work on MS which she has.
Before Teri spoke, a taped tribute was shown where David Letterman quipped, “Teri was one of the first people to our show when no one would come on cause no one liked us. “ Normally reserved David then said a heartfelt, “Teri, I just love you.”
Buck Henry echoed that sentiment and told her, “Teri, I’ve been in love with you for 50 years.” Teri then came to the stage and called MS, “this scum sucking pig of a disease. I hope the doctors will change everything and make it better for me…they will won’t they?” To which the enthusiastic audience shouted….”yes!”
That exuberance lasted throughout the night as Fitz And The Tantrums, The Tenors, David Cook and Stevie Wonder played. Stevie told the crowd, “Nancy asked me a year ago to play and I promised I would. You all know, you don’t say no to Nancy!” Stevie played ‘Higher Ground,’ ‘Isn’t She Lovely,’ and more. The event raised $1.8 million.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67c1YmIp598
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News. Friedman previously wrote the Intelligencer column at New York Magazine, He writes for Parade magazine and has written for Details, Vogue, the New York Times, Post, and Daily News and many other publications. He is the writer and co-producer of a film about R&B Music called “Only the Strong Survive,” which was released by Miramax in 2003 and was a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals.
Pat Packer-Williams
I love Terry, too. She is an original, über charming and talented, and very
natural.
She is very special to me because I am often told I look like her and talk like her. That is so flattering. On days people say that I know I look good and I sail through te rest of the day.
Love you, Terry.
Pat
James Northern
I have always loved Teri Garr as well(Young Frankenstein was one of the best comedies ever) and wish her the best in her fight against MS. I would question her judgement in regards to her apparent support for David Letterman who I think is a pretty pathetic excuse for a human being, but that is just me. He was funny in his early days but is now just a no talent hack.
saon
I love Teri too. I’ve only seen a few movies with her, but you just never forget her. Hi Teri – thank you! :)