Michael Keaton is grief-stricken over the passing of his "Mr. Mom" co-star, Teri Garr, who succumbed to the world on October 29 at the age of 79. The 73-year-old actor posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, acknowledging the inevitable day he had always dreaded. "This is a day I feared and knew was coming," he penned, referencing Garr's 2002 revelation of her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. "Forget about her prowess as an actress and comedienne; she was a remarkable woman. She was not just a joy to work with but also a delight to be around. Rewatch her comedic performances—she was nothing short of brilliant!"
In the iconic 1983 comedy "Mr. Mom," the duo portrayed a couple amidst the tale of Jack Butler, a Michigan father who grapples with household chores after losing his job while his wife Caroline (played by Garr) returns to work. The film, marking Keaton's debut in a leading role, also featured the late Martin Mull and Christopher Lloyd.
Weeks before Garr's demise, while promoting "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," Keaton nostalgically reminisced about his time with her. "Foremost, I must mention the fabulous legend, Teri Garr—how phenomenal and endearing she is, and the endless fun we had on set," he reminisced. "Apart from this film, if you revisit 'Young Frankenstein,' you'll see that she continues to shine," he added.
Keaton emphasized his confidence in the script penned by John Hughes, foreseeing its potential as a hilarious comedy. "I vividly recall reading the script and bursting into laughter three or four times," he shared. "To some, this might seem insignificant, but ask anyone. When reading, you might smile occasionally or ponder while imagining scenes. But genuine, out-loud laughter is, at the least, very encouraging," he elaborated.
Keaton's intuition was spot on. Thanks to the dynamic rapport and witty exchanges between the leads, the film garnered widespread acclaim and amassed $63 million at the box office (approximately $200 million today), ranking among the year's top 10 hits.
Prior to "Mr. Mom," Garr had etched her name in comedy history with hits like "Young Frankenstein" (1974) and "Tootsie" (1982), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Garr's publicist, Heidi Schaeffer, confirmed that she passed away peacefully, surrounded by her beloved family and friends, on Tuesday.
