Teri Garr Quotes

Powerful Teri Garr for Daily Growth

About Teri Garr

**Teri Garr** (born December 11, 1947) is an American actress, dancer, and singer known for her versatile performances in film, television, and theater. Born Teri Lee Natasha Garr in Iowa, she grew up in Lincolnwood, Illinois, where her love for performing arts blossomed at a young age. Garr's career began in the mid-1960s as a dancer on The Andy Williams Show. Her big break came when she was cast as a 'Love Goddess' in the 1973 film "American Graffiti." This role launched her into Hollywood stardom and opened doors for subsequent roles in major films such as "Tootsie" (1982), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and "Young Frankenstein" (1974). Throughout her career, Garr has worked with some of the most esteemed directors in Hollywood, including Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, and Brian De Palma. Her performances often showcased her comedic talents, but she also demonstrated a powerful dramatic range that garnered critical acclaim. In 1985, Garr was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a condition that would significantly impact the rest of her life and career. Despite this diagnosis, she continued to work in television and film, using her platform to raise awareness about MS. In 2000, she wrote an essay titled "Teri Garr: Living with Multiple Sclerosis" for the New York Times, detailing her experiences living with the disease. Throughout her life, Teri Garr has been an influential figure in Hollywood and a role model for those affected by MS. Her resilience and determination have inspired countless individuals to overcome their own challenges and pursue their dreams. Today, she continues to act and advocate, proving that with courage and grace, one can lead a fulfilling life despite the obstacles they may face.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I've always had a problem with perfectionists."

Teri Garr's quote indicates that she struggles with people who insist on achieving or maintaining perfection. This might be due to their rigidity, unrelenting pursuit of flawlessness, or intolerance for mistakes, which can create an uncomfortable or tense environment for those around them. In essence, her quote suggests a preference for flexibility and room for error over inflexible, unyielding expectations of perfection.

"A lot of times, people aren't looking for answers. They're just waiting for it to stop hurting."

This quote by Teri Garr suggests that often, individuals don't seek solutions or explanations; instead, they merely yearn for the pain they're experiencing to subside. This could be applied to a wide range of situations in life where people might feel overwhelmed, helpless, or exhausted by their current circumstances. The quote acknowledges the emotional toll these situations can have and underscores the human desire for relief, even if not accompanied by a quest for understanding or change.

"I think that what makes you different or weird, what makes you 'other,' can be your greatest strength."

Teri Garr's quote underscores the idea that what sets us apart - our uniqueness, quirks, or perceived oddities - is often a source of great strength. It encourages embracing individuality rather than conforming to societal norms. By leveraging these differences and being true to oneself, one can discover their unique talents, perspectives, and contributions to the world.

"I'm always amazed at how little we know about ourselves, and how much of that is hidden from us."

This quote highlights the intricacies of human nature and self-awareness. Teri Garr suggests that despite living within our own selves, there remains a significant portion of our identity and experiences that remain unknown to us. These unseen aspects often shape our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions in ways we may not fully comprehend. This quote invites us to explore ourselves more deeply, fostering self-discovery and understanding.

"The things you regret the most in life are the chances you didn't take."

This quote underscores the importance of taking risks and seizing opportunities, as the regrets we often harbor in life are tied to missed chances that we failed to act upon. It encourages us to step out of our comfort zones, embrace change, and pursue our dreams, for the potential rewards can far outweigh the perceived dangers or setbacks.

Win or lose, star or not, you wait for your car with everyone else, and waiting for your car is a drag.

- Teri Garr

Wait, Star, Everyone Else, Win Or Lose

I danced in a company of 'West Side Story' when I was very young. It was most of the original cast - Larry Kert, Chita Rivera - and Jerry Robbins directed. It was tough, a wonderful initiation for me.

- Teri Garr

Young, Very, Cast, West Side Story

I talked once with Harrison Ford about Wright's houses and how impressive they are.

- Teri Garr

How, Once, Talked, Ford

When you hear the word 'disabled,' people immediately think about people who can't walk or talk or do everything that people take for granted. Now, I take nothing for granted. But I find the real disability is people who can't find joy in life and are bitter.

- Teri Garr

Bitter, About, Immediately, Disability

I may not be able to run around the block anymore, but I love my life.

- Teri Garr

Love, My Life, May, I May Not

I was in an acting class taught by Eric Morris, and Jack Nicholson was in the class. He wrote the script for 'Head', so all of us in the class got little tiny parts in the movie.

- Teri Garr

Movie, Wrote, Eric, Nicholson

I don't let Molly watch much television. The only stations I let her watch are PBS and the Disney Channel. The cartoons on the other stations are too violent and filled with obnoxious commercials.

- Teri Garr

Other, Violent, Molly, PBS

Oddly enough, MS has made my life so much better than it was before. I now appreciate what I have and I am not running around like a rat in a maze.

- Teri Garr

My Life, Rat, Before, Ms

Speaking out about multiple sclerosis to others who may be dealing with this disease is actually helpful to me as well as, I hope, to others. It builds community, helps bring awareness to MS, and strengthens the MS movement that will ultimately lead to the end of this disease.

- Teri Garr

Hope, Bring, About, Ms

I think there are a lot of myths about MS, and it may have affected my career.

- Teri Garr

Career, Think, Lot, Ms

My doctor said, for want of a better word, now that we've got medicines out here that can help, let's put you on one of them and say we're treating MS.

- Teri Garr

Here, Ms, Medicines, Treating

I had been nominated for an Academy Award for my performance as Sandy Lester, Dustin Hoffman's neurotic, struggling actress girlfriend, in 'Tootsie.' Under Sydney Pollack's direction, 'Tootsie' had been a runaway hit starring Dustin as an unemployed actor who pretends to be a woman in order to land a role in a soap opera.

- Teri Garr

Woman, Role, Been, Sydney

People ask me about my limp. I say, 'You know, I don't know how bad it is, because I don't watch - I don't watch myself.' I don't look at it. I don't.

- Teri Garr

Myself, Bad, About, Limp

I went to physical therapy, occupational therapy, voice, every kind of therapy except mental therapy - obviously!

- Teri Garr

Voice, Kind, Therapy, Occupational

I went to North Hollywood High. I'm the original Val girl.

- Teri Garr

Original, Hollywood, High, Val

When one woman found out I had multiple sclerosis, she said to me, 'My heart bleeds for you.' I said to her, 'Well, my heart bleeds for you, because you're an idiot.'

- Teri Garr

Woman, Idiot, Multiple, Bleeds

I try to laugh as much as possible and enjoy the company of people who can make me laugh.

- Teri Garr

Enjoy, Me, Try, Make Me Laugh

Being a successful Hollywood actress may be challenging, but little did I know that the very body that had always been my calling card would betray me.

- Teri Garr

Always, Actress, Very, Calling Card

I'd like to play something classical. I'm in the Strindberg society, and we do readings of Strindberg plays. I'd love to do Nora in 'A Doll's House.' And Chekhov. I have been working back to back on what I call 'regular jobs,' so it's hard to do plays.

- Teri Garr

Love, Play, Been, Chekhov

I do Pilates a lot. I don't do a lot of cardiovascular stuff.

- Teri Garr

Stuff, Cardiovascular, Lot, Pilates

You have to find out what's right for you, so it's trial and error. You are going to be all right if you accept realistic goals for yourself.

- Teri Garr

Wisdom, Right, Going, Goals

In addition to having a good partnership with a good doctor, you have to do some of the work yourself. Go online, read about it, and find out what you can tolerate.

- Teri Garr

Partnership, Some, Having, Tolerate

'30 Rock' is one of the best things on TV, I think.

- Teri Garr

Rock, Think, TV, 30 Rock

The whole MS stuff put the kibosh on my career. And I sort of let it go. I even have a friend who went to CBS and said, 'I want Teri Garr to be in this series,' and the head of the network said, 'Oh no, she's got MS.'

- Teri Garr

Career, Got, Whole, CBS

I'm always like this with a new movie role. I always get super-defensive and make noises like a rooster, Maybe that's because I spent so much time as a chorus girl.

- Teri Garr

New, Always, Rooster, Chorus

My father died when I was 11. He was a vaudeville comedian. He worked in one movie, 'Ladies of the Chorus,' as Marilyn Monroe's father.

- Teri Garr

Father, Movie, Died, Chorus

Having to manage fatigue is something I and many people with MS have to deal with, and heat is no friend to my MS, either; it can be devastating.

- Teri Garr

Heat, Deal, Having, Manage

I resent it when they write the part of a woman who's just a sexy femme fatale who seduces people to ger her way, perpetrating the myth that that's how woman have to operate, instead of using their brains or their wit.

- Teri Garr

Woman, Resent, Part, Femme

My agents have me in the Actors' Protection Program. It seems to be working very well. Nobody can find me.

- Teri Garr

Me, Find, Very, Agents

Speed bumps, I was thinking, you know, you're driving along, everything's OK, and then there's a speed bump to go, 'Slow down.' Go over it real slowly, and you hit the pedal, and you keep going, and I just thought it was kind of a nice metaphor for life.

- Teri Garr

Thinking, Thought, Over It, OK

What's happening to me is I'm still happy and functioning, being able to listen to music, see good movies, read good books. What else is there that I can't, you know, I mean, I'm OK.

- Teri Garr

Still, Read, Good Movies, OK

You can be diagnosed and treated early. And there is hope for the future.

- Teri Garr

Future, Hope, Treated, Diagnosed

There were symptoms that I saw, and though I went to many doctors and had many tests, no one diagnosed MS.

- Teri Garr

Ms, Though, Saw, Diagnosed

Someday, I'll make the right connection with the house I'm meant to be in.

- Teri Garr

Connection, Right, Meant, Meant To Be

I have one brother who is a surgeon, there's me, and my other brother builds boats.

- Teri Garr

Me, Surgeon, Other, Boats

I thought, 'If I can't be prom queen, I can dance 'Les Sylphide.'

- Teri Garr

Queen, Thought, Prom, Les

I started out in the 1970s doing the Wife, the Bimbo, and the Ditz, and if I somehow get a serious role, they all wanna know the same thing: When are you going back to comedy?

- Teri Garr

Doing, Role, Same Thing, 1970s

I remember some stories had a very big impact on me, like 'The Little Train That Could,' which is about the importance of not giving up, and 'Little Toot,' about a playful tugboat in the New York harbor.

- Teri Garr

Big, Some, Very, Train

I'm wondering if they haven't reported all the people with MS, because if all of the cases were reported, the government would have to step in and give more financial aid to us.

- Teri Garr

Medical, Give, Cases, Wondering

I always say don't be scared. It's not that bad - there's always something worse - and there is definitely life after multiple sclerosis.

- Teri Garr

Bad, Always, Multiple, Scared

I think eventually they're going to find out that MS is like 10 different things. I have a neurological disease something like MS, and it's MS, so let's take medicine for it.

- Teri Garr

Think, Disease, I Think, Different Things

I don't want to sound hoity-toity, but people told me I should watch 'Cheers' because it's very funny. So I watched it, and I just went, 'This is the great show of the universe?' To me, acting is making characters believable, not just doing jokes.

- Teri Garr

Doing, Sound, Very, Jokes

If you get a diagnosis, get on a therapy, keep a good attitude and keep your sense of humor.

- Teri Garr

Attitude, Sense Of Humor, Diagnosis

I go to Yosemite a lot. To get there, you fly from L.A. to Fresno and rent a car. So I know about Fresno. It looks like the entire city was built in 1946 in three months - all these low California ranch style homes. The whole city looks like that.

- Teri Garr

City, About, Whole, Yosemite

You have to lift your head up out of the mud and just do it.

- Teri Garr

Just Do It, Head, Your, Lift

Everyone I tell that I had an aneurysm always says, 'Oh, my cousin died from that.' Well, I didn't, so I'm amazed. I was in a wheelchair, and I had to go to rehab. And now I'm walking!

- Teri Garr

Wheelchair, Always, Rehab, Cousin

Joan Collins was the best. She really could sort of pull it off, be really outrageous and never even flinch.

- Teri Garr

Best, Could, Joan, Collins

Directors would tell me, 'We want you to play a character a little less complex than you are.' Yeah, sure. What they mean is, 'You're playing a dummy.'

- Teri Garr

Play, Sure, Directors, Dummy

I think it's critical, a sense of humor. It did help me - it does help me, continuously.

- Teri Garr

Think, Critical, I Think, Continuously

Elvis used to have parties at his house - and I've told this story a million times - but they weren't really parties, because there was no chips or dip. Just Elvis and his boys watching TV, and him making funny comments, and everybody laughing at them. Is that a party? Not really. But that's Hollywood.

- Teri Garr

Hollywood, Everybody, TV, Laughing

If you get somebody laughing - and then stick in a point about something important - they'll remember it.

- Teri Garr

About, Somebody, Then, Laughing

How come women are treated differently from men all the time? Not only handicapped people, but women - and handicapped women, forget it!

- Teri Garr

People, Come, Treated, Women Are

I did a string of about six or seven Elvis movies, all in a row. He made all of those movies in two years' time. All of them bad. Don't quote me.

- Teri Garr

Bad, String, Six, Row

This new movie, 'Full Moon in Blue Water,' I loved the idea of working with Gene Hackman, who is a great actor, but when I read the script, I threw it right into the trash can, because I didn't like this woman. She was just a doormat.

- Teri Garr

Woman, Movie, Idea, Trash

If I counted them all up, I was a dancer in sixty movies!

- Teri Garr

Movies, Sixty, Dancer, Counted

Please, people, don't drink and vote. We'll all pay for that.

- Teri Garr

People, Pay, Please, Vote

What's worse in Hollywood, being handicapped or being a woman over 50?

- Teri Garr

Woman, Hollywood, Over, Handicapped

If there's ever a woman who's smart, funny, or witty, people are afraid of that, so they don't write that. They only write parts for women where they let everything be steamrolled over them, where they let people wipe their feet all over them.

- Teri Garr

Smart, Woman, Feet, Wipe

I was trying to work, but I noticed that people, if they had any inkling of the idea that I was sick or had MS... people shunned me. No work after that.

- Teri Garr

Work, Idea, Ms, Shunned

Usually, the extras have a different mentality. I had the mentality of an artist, because I was a 'ballet-rina.' But most extras are out to make a fast buck for nothing. They're 'atmosphere.'

- Teri Garr

Artist, Nothing, Atmosphere, Buck

I've always had this American-pie face that would get work in commercials... I'd say things like, 'Hi, Marge, how's your laundry?' and 'Hi, I'm a real nice Georgia peach.' Sometimes this work is one step above being a cocktail waitress.

- Teri Garr

Sometimes, Hi, Had, Georgia

I didn't tell people because I didn't want pity, and I was afraid I wouldn't get work. But others with MS need to know they are not alone. We don't have to be victims.

- Teri Garr

Work, Need, Ms, Victims

They drilled a hole in my head and wrapped a coil around my brain so it wouldn't bleed anymore.

- Teri Garr

Brain, Head, Hole, Wrapped

My daughter couldn't wake me up, so they called 911. They rushed me to the hospital. They drilled a hole in my head and wrapped a coil around my brain. I was unconscious for a week, and I was in rehab for two months - couldn't walk, couldn't talk. Now I've relearned everything. I'm so happy.

- Teri Garr

Happy, Week, Rehab, Wrapped

There are several drugs out right now that can't stop multiple sclerosis, but they can slow it way down. They also made me puff up like a balloon. So I looked horrible. I hated that.

- Teri Garr

Down, Out, Several, Puff

Being sensitive to the problem of women is just another symptom of the quality of movies: I don't think you can do anything that's very sensitive. Everything's sort of broad strokes and big gestures - adventure things that boys, guys want to see.

- Teri Garr

Big, Another, Very, Symptom

I get this thing every once in a while that I call 'ESS:' emergency sleep situation. I'll get like lead, really fatigued, and I can't move.

- Teri Garr

Emergency, Like, Move, Situation

God is in all - I believe in God, yes. And I believe God is in us.

- Teri Garr

God, Believe, Yes, I Believe In

I have worked enough and I am happy to be touring the country speaking about living with MS to give people inspiration and motivation to help themselves.

- Teri Garr

I Am Happy, Country, Give, Ms

MS doesn't define who I am.

- Teri Garr

I Am, Define, Am, Ms

I understand how hard it is to talk to people about MS. You don't want pity or random advice.

- Teri Garr

Advice, Want, Understand, Ms

You can keep it to yourself, but you could also call a support team like the team at MS LifeLines. They are there to support the MS community and give good advice.

- Teri Garr

Give, Like, Could, Ms

I have heard all kinds of stories about telling employers about MS and I really don't know what the answer is. I am a private person, but I have found support by talking to fellow MSrs in the community.

- Teri Garr

Private, Telling, Employers, Ms

Seventy-five percent of MS sufferers are women.

- Teri Garr

Women, Percent, Ms

Someday they may cure MS, that idiot thing. It gets in there and they can't get it out.

- Teri Garr

Idiot, Get, May, Ms

There are things that you can do today that, years ago, there was nothing. The community today needs to know that with MRI and the current medications the view is good.

- Teri Garr

Community, Nothing, Needs, Medications

I feel ashamed of how many houses I've actually crept inside of when they were up for sale. I'm not a snoop, but I love looking and imagining.

- Teri Garr

Love, Feel, Ashamed, Sale

I think I look pretty good. And I know there are human beings my age who look the way I do. There must be stories about us - not just about people who are young and good-looking.

- Teri Garr

Think, Pretty, I Think, Beings

I have been off the motorcycles for about 20 years now, but that doesn't mean I can't still do it.

- Teri Garr

Mean, Been, Still, Motorcycles

I recently saw the movie about Ray Charles, and there's a scene where he falls down and the mother doesn't help him. She says, I don't want anyone to treat you like a cripple. I've fallen down before, and Molly will say, get up and just go.

- Teri Garr

Treat, Movie, Before, Ray

I refused David Letterman's proposal of marriage for obvious reasons, but thanks for asking.

- Teri Garr

Thanks, Reasons, Proposal, Letterman

I went on the 'Letterman' show the first time to plug something, and then I came back as the Fool, the court jester.

- Teri Garr

Back, Show, Then, Letterman

A chiropractor wishes he were a doctor, just like those people outside Spago wish they were actors.

- Teri Garr

Doctor, People, Like, Wishes

I was in love with Michael Keaton. He was very funny.

- Teri Garr

Love, Michael, Very, Keaton

I go to my physical therapist to keep fighting it and one of them told me if you don't use it, you lose it, but I know we're on television so I won't say what I would often say.

- Teri Garr

Lose, Television, Use, Therapist

My next book's title is going to be, 'I Have One Foot in the Grave and Another on a Banana Peel.'

- Teri Garr

Banana, Next, Going, Peel

It doesn't help to contemplate how sad your life is. You have to move on.

- Teri Garr

Help, How, Move, Move On

My mother was a role model.

- Teri Garr

Mother, Role Model, Role, Model

Any movie I've ever made, the minute you walk on the set they tell you who's the person to buy it from.

- Teri Garr

Movie, Made, Set, Minute

With this disease it is so easy to throw in the towel, and that is the worst thing we can do.

- Teri Garr

Worst Thing, Disease, Throw, Easy

I don't consider that I have to judge any of the movies I make all the time, but people are always asking me, 'What's your favorite movie?' And I never know what to say.

- Teri Garr

Asking, Movie, Always, Favorite Movie

I feel very badly about anybody that's sick and in a wheelchair or not doing well. But you know, you have to go, 'Life is a poker game, and we're going to play our cards somehow.'

- Teri Garr

Play, Very, Badly, Poker

I have an enormous fondness for delicious food. It's very comforting.

- Teri Garr

Comforting, Very, Fondness, Delicious

Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy life.

- Teri Garr

Important, Back, Take, Step

When I was a dancer, I would see that dancers were treated like garbage. I mean like, like extras.

- Teri Garr

See, Treated, Dancer, Garbage

If you get your foot in the door doing one kind of part, that's the kind of role they call you for. I can't say I resent it - then I would resent my whole career.

- Teri Garr

Door, Career, Doing, Foot

What is the difference between an actress over 50 and an actress with a disability? Nothing. They both can't find work.

- Teri Garr

Find, Over, Actress, Disability

The Academy not only knew I existed, they thought I was good!

- Teri Garr

Thought, Only, Knew, Academy

I've always been this insane. Isn't that interesting?

- Teri Garr

Interesting, Always, Been, Insane

I plan to live to be 120!

- Teri Garr

Live, Plan

I'm really grateful for my dancers' discipline.

- Teri Garr

Grateful, Discipline, Really, Dancers

I want to write about my experiences since 'Speedbumps.'

- Teri Garr

Want, Write, About, Experiences

I loved the stories my parents and grandparents would read to me.

- Teri Garr

Loved, Stories, Read, Grandparents

My mother was a real tough cookie. She raised the three of us, and she worked at the same time.

- Teri Garr

Real, Cookie, Same Time, Raised

My mother was a Rockette at Radio City.

- Teri Garr

Mother, City, Radio

People aren't so interested in seeing movies about women's problems.

- Teri Garr

Movies, About, Interested, Seeing

There's people doing whatever the hell they want and getting away with it.

- Teri Garr

Doing, Away, Getting, Hell

There's always going to be somebody worse off than me.

- Teri Garr

Always, Going, Than, Worse

I have a disease, but I also have a lot of other things.

- Teri Garr

Other, Things, Lot, Disease

Going to dancing school, or being in a play, is a very familial feeling. You're around friends.

- Teri Garr

Play, Going, Very, Dancing

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