Teri Garr – who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Tootsie – has passed away at the age of 79.

She is also known for her roles in Young Frankenstein,  Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, and as Phoebe’s mother in iconic sitcom Friends.

The veteran actress passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).

In 2002 the talented star had revealed that she had been diagnosed with the  chronic disease that damages the central nervous system (CNS). Years later she suffered an aneurysm in 2006.

As she had nearly 160 credits to her name  starring in influential television shows and films from the 1970s to 1990s, she was an influential performer to many including SNL legend Tina Fey.

Teri Garr – who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Tootsie – has passed away at the age of 79

The veteran actress (pictured in New Jersey back in October 2014)  passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a long battle with Multiple sclerosis (MS)

The peak of her career came in 1983 as she was nominated in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category for her work as Sandy Lester in Tootsie.

She ultimately lost out to castmate Jessica Lange from the same film who happened to the the loan winner out of ten nominations that year.

Her most famous television role came from when she starred as Phoebe Abbott in three episodes of iconic sitcom Friends from 1997 to 1998.

In the episode The One At The Beach, her character discloses to Lisa Kudrow’s character Phoebe Buffay that she’s her birth mother.

Teri had returned to the role in two other episodes titled The One With Jellyfish and The One With Phoebe’s Uniform

Another one of her iconic roles was as Ronnie Neary in Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters Of The Third Kind in 1977.

She portrayed the wife of Richard Dreyfuss’ character Roy as the film won the Best Cinematography Oscar in 1978 for Vilmos Zsigmond.

However her breakout role was as saucy assistant Inga in 1974 Mel Brooks classic Young Frankenstein where she starred opposite Gene Wilder.

The peak of her career came in 1983 as she was nominated in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category for her work as Sandy Lester in Tootsie; she is pictured with Dustin Hoffman (left) and Sydney Pollack (right)

Her most famous television role came from when she starred as Phoebe Abbott in three episodes of iconic sitcom Friends from 1997 to 1998 (pictured with Lisa Kudrow in 1998)

However her breakout role was as saucy assistant Inga in 1974 Mel Brooks classic Young Frankenstein where she starred opposite Gene Wilder

Oscar-nominated actress Samantha Morton paid tribute to the star, having worked alongside her in the indie comedy Expired in 2007.

She shared a snap of the late actress with the caption:  ‘Teri Garr. It was a real honour to work with you. A powerful, uncompromising and hilarious woman. A courageous fighter of multiple sclerosis, you brought such joy to so many. #terigarr’

The talented thespian was originally born in Ohio but eventually moved to Los Angeles.

She attended Hollywood High School and attended Cal State Northridge before eventually moving to New York to study acting.

Teri actually started her career as a go-go dancer including in six Elvis Presley features and rock concert The T.A.M.I. Show.

In the 1960s she had small parts on sitcoms including That Girl, Batman, and The Andy Griffith Show.

Her first speaking role came in 1968 as she starred in Head which was the offbeat feature film from the pop band The Monkees.

Teri went on to become a regular singer and dancer on The Sonny And Cher Show.

Then one of her biggest career breaks came when she landed a role in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 flick The Conversation.

Another one of her iconic roles was opposite Richard Dreyfuss as Ronnie Neary in Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters Of The Third Kind in 1977

Oscar-nominated actress Samantha Morton paid tribute to the star, having worked alongside her in the indie comedy Expired in 2007

Years later she was casted again by the iconic filmmaker Coppola as she starred in 1981 flick One From The Heart.

Teri was also a late night staple as she appeared frequently on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night With David Letterman and even hosted Saturday Night Live three times.

However her career slowed down a bit in the 1990s as she starred in 1994’s Dumb And Dumber, an episode of ER in 1999, and of course her aforementioned guest spot on Friends.

The talented star recalled her career in autobiography – titled Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood – which was published in 2006.

Garr is survived by  daughter, Molly O’Neil, and grandson Tyryn.

Garr is pictured in Beverly Hills in March 2014