It’s a sad day in the sitcom-verse. On Tuesday, October 29th, the iconic Teri Garr exited the stage of life at the age of 79, after a tenacious bout with multiple sclerosis.
Lisa Kudrow, our beloved Phoebe Buffay, took a moment to honor Teri with a message as touching as it was heartfelt. And honestly? It’s so sweet it could cure any bad vibes leftover from Mercury in retrograde.
“Teri Garr was a comedic acting genius who was and is a huge influence on me, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way,” Lisa told People. “I feel so lucky and grateful I got to work with Teri Garr.” Aww, right? Just imagine Phoebe saying that but with a guitar in hand and a questionable song about smelly cats.
If your memory’s a little fuzzy (which is fair—it’s been a minute since the 90s), Teri strutted into Friends history during the Season 3 finale, “The One at the Beach.” She played Phoebe Abbott, aka “Surprise! I’m your real mom.” The episode gave us a wild ride full of plot twists, sand, and sunburns—like an emotional rollercoaster, but with bikinis.
Teri wasn’t just a one-hit-wonder either. She graced us again in Season 4, popping up in “The One with the Jellyfish” (you know, the pee-pee episode) and “The One with Phoebe’s Uterus.” I mean, it takes a comedic powerhouse to make those episodes not only memorable but legendary.
Lisa’s tribute isn’t just Hollywood fluff—it’s a heartfelt goodbye to someone who helped make Friends the unforgettable series we all binged at 2 AM, telling ourselves, “Just one more episode.” Teri Garr was an absolute gem in the comedy world, and her performances will keep us laughing, crying, and asking, “What is Chandler’s job again?” for years to come.
Our hearts go out to Teri’s family, friends, and fans. Here’s hoping heaven’s beach episodes are just as wild. RIP, Teri—you’ll always be the real mother of Friends chaos. 🌊🎸
