Teri Garr, the beloved actress known for her roles in classics like “Young Frankenstein”, “Tootsie”, ” Mr. Mom”, and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, has passed away at the age of 79.

Garr’s death was confirmed by her publicist, Heidi Schaeffer, who stated that she died peacefully on Tuesday morning in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends. No cause of death was given, though the statement noted Garr was a passionate advocate for multiple sclerosis (MS) awareness following her 2002 diagnosis with the condition.

Initially trained as a dancer, Garr appeared in several Elvis Presley films and the 1964 concert film “T.A.M.I. Show”. Her first notable acting role came in 1968, in the “Star Trek” episode “Assignment: Earth,” intended to launch a spin-off series. She also made appearances in shows like “Batman”, “That Girl”, and “The Andy Griffith Show”, and was a regular on “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour”.

Her breakthrough performance came in 1974 with Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein”, where she showcased her comedic talent as Inga, the charming lab assistant, delivering memorable lines alongside a seasoned comedic cast including Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn.