Teri Garr RIP
Garr in 2012, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Terry Ann Gonnound
Date of Birth: December 11, 1944
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Death: October 29, 2024
Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Ethnicity:
*Irish (father)
*German (mother)
Teri Garr was an American actress, comedian, dancer, and singer. Her roles include the films The Conversation (1974), Young Frankenstein, Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood; Oh, God!; Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Black Stallion (1979), and its sequel; Witches’ Brew, Honky Tonk Freeway, One from the Heart, Tootsie, The Sting II, Mr. Mom, Firstborn, After Hours, The Player, Mom and Dad Save the World, Dumb and Dumber, Prêt-à-Porter/Ready to Wear, Michael (1996), A Simple Wish, Casper Meets Wendy, Dick (1999), and Ghost World; the shows Star Trek and Friends; and memorable talk show appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman. She was also billed as Terry Garr.
Her parents, Phyllis Lind (born Emma Schmotzer) and Eddie Garr (born Edward Leo Gonnoud/Gonnound), were both entertainers. Her father was a vaudeville performer, comedian, and actor. Her mother was a dancer, Rockette, wardrobe mistress, studio costumer, and model. Her father was of Irish descent and her mother was of ethnic German descent. She was raised in Lakewood, near Cleveland; New Jersey; and Los Angeles, California, primarily in North Hollywood. Teri had a daughter with her former husband, contractor John O’Neil.
Teri’s paternal grandfather was Andrew John/Jackson Gonnoud (the son of Edward Gonnoud and Maria/Mary Carpenter). Andrew was born in New York, to parents from County Kildare, Ireland.
Teri’s paternal grandmother was named Mary Elizabeth Curry (the daughter of Jane). Mary Elizabeth was born in Pennsylvania, to Irish parents.
Teri’s maternal grandfather was named Louis/Ludwig J. Schmotzer. Louis was born in Metzenseifen, Hungary (today Medzev, Slovakia).
Teri’s maternal grandmother was named Theresa/Teresa Gundel/Gindel. Theresa likely also was from Metzenseifen.
Source: Birth record of Teri Garr – https://www.familysearch.org
Teri Garr on the 1950 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Teri’s father on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Teri’s mother on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
>Gonnoud (the son of Edward Gonnoud and Maria Carpenter).
>New York, to parents from County Kildare, Ireland.
>Mary Elizabeth Curry
>Louis/Ludwig J. Schmotzer. Louis was born in Metzenseifen, Hungary (today Medzev, Slovakia).
I think Theresa was also from Metzenseifen, since I found the last name Gindel in the town. If so, then both of Teri’s maternal grandparents were Zipser Germans.