In “Tootsie,” Teri Garr masterfully encapsulated the delicate art of politely expressing dissatisfaction after a disappointing party. As she bids her friend goodnight, her character Sandy, a struggling actress, cheerfully states, “It was a wonderful party, my date left with someone else, I had a lot of fun, do you have any seconal?” Her bright tone and rapid delivery turn this moment into a brilliant display of comedic despair.

Garr, who passed away at 79 from complications related to multiple sclerosis, transformed the portrayal of neurotic characters into a true craft. While her roles might seem like typical “dizzy blonde” characters on paper, she infused them with depth and humor that captivated audiences.

Coming from a show business background—her father was a vaudevillian—Garr embodied the spirit of performance. Although she had roles in various television shows and films during the 1960s, including dancing in several Elvis movies, she truly captured audiences in Mel Brooks’s “Young Frankenstein” (1974) as Inga, the assistant to Gene Wilder’s Frederick Frankenstein.

Brooks introduces her in a hay wagon, showcasing her beauty before delivering her first punchline. “Hello,” she says seductively in a faux Transylvanian accent. “Would you like to have a roll in the hay?” Wilder is momentarily taken aback by her boldness, and she quickly brightens the mood by exclaiming, “It’s fun!” as she dances and sings, “Roll, roll, roll in the hay.” The innuendo may be there, but it’s all in good fun.

Inga is a classic stock character with an eccentric twist, as Brooks cleverly subverts horror tropes. While she embodies the sex symbol stereotype, it’s evident that Garr fully understands the comedic nature of her role. She confidently plays up Inga’s antics, ensuring she remains integral to the story, not just a pretty face alongside Wilder and seasoned actresses like Cloris Leachman and Madeline Kahn.

Contrasting with the eerie elements of “Young Frankenstein,” Inga retains a level of composure absent in many of Garr’s other characters. Take Sandy in “Tootsie” (1982), a role that earned Garr an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Sandy is a bundle of nerves, embodying the anxious actress who feels inadequate, yet her fears are justified and relatable.

After the party, she seeks help from her friend Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) to prepare for a soap opera audition. Although she is ultimately rejected for not fitting the physical mold, Michael, aware of her struggles, decides to don a disguise and take her place, becoming the acclaimed Dorothy Michaels.

Sandy, romantically linked to Michael, senses that he is concealing something from her. When she edges closer to discovering his secret life as a cross-dressing star, he distracts her with a fabricated tale of his love for another woman.

In a powerful moment, Garr rises and delivers a piercing scream, unleashing a torrent of pent-up emotion. “I never said ‘I love you’; I don’t care about ‘I love you.’ I read ‘The Second Sex’; I read ‘The Cinderella Complex’; I’m responsible for my own orgasm. I don’t care!” she exclaims, jamming countless thoughts into a single outburst. “I just don’t like to be lied to.”