Born in Lakewood, OH; educated at California State University, Northridge (speech, dance) and the Actors Studio. Successful, offbeat character actress of the 1970s and 80s. A background dancer in nine Elvis Presley musicals and a veteran of TV variety shows including "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" and "Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour," Garr's kooky charm and deadpan delivery were put to superb use in the comedies TOOTSIE (1982), MR. MOM (1983), YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974) and OUT COLD (1989). She also starred as the romantic lead in Francis Ford Coppola's offbeat musical romance ONE FROM THE HEART (1982) and the drama FIRSTBORN (1984). Other notable screen credits include HEAD (1968), THE CONVERSATION (1984), OH, GOD! and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KING (both 1977), THE BLACK STALLION (1979), THE ESCAPE ARTISTS (1982), THE STING II and THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS (both 1983), AFTER HOURS (1985), FULL MOON IN BLUE WATER (1988), LET IT RIDE (1989), THE PLAYER (1992), MOM AND DAD SAVE THE WORLD (1992), DUMB & DUMBER (1994), MICHAEL (1986), CHANGING HABITS (1997), DICK (1999), THE SKY IS FALLING (2000), GHOST WORLD (2001 - uncredited), LIFE WITHOUT DICK (2001), A TASTE OF JUPITER (2005), UNACCOMPANIED MINORS (2006 - uncredited), and EXPIRED and KABLUEY (both 2007).  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1982: TOOTSIE 1 nomination