Mel Brooks remembers Teri Garr and “Young Frankenstein”

Mel Brooks, who directed Teri Garr in the iconic 1974 comedy Young Frankensteinremembered the actress after her death on Tuesday, recalling Garr's talent and spirit.

“I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Teri Garr,” Brooks said in a statement on social media. “She was so talented and so funny. Her humor and lively spirit did that Young Frankenstein It's fun to work on it. Her “German” accent had us all in a tizzy! We will miss her very much.”

Garr was a standout in a film full of standouts. She played Inga, the German laboratory assistant to the visiting American Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “FRONK-un-STEEN,” please), played by Gene Wilder, of course. Seemingly ditsy – “apparently” being the operative word – Inga, Garr used a rather faux German accent, hence Brooks' quotation marks around the word.

In a 2008 interview with AV Club, Garr explained how she came up with the accent and how she was cast for the role – initially she was up for the role of Frederick's fiancée Elizabeth, which would eventually be memorably played by Madeline Kahn . The accent and her recasting were apparently inextricably linked.

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When asked if she was referring to anyone specifically, Garr responded by adopting the accent: “Yes, Cher's wigmaker! I actually auditioned for the role of the fiancée – the financier – and (Mel Brooks) said, “I want Madeline Kahn to play this role, but she doesn't want it.” And when I got called back for the third time, he said, “Madeline will do it, but if you come back tomorrow with a German accent, you can apply for the role of assistant.” I said (assumes German accent), “Oh yes, I'll come back tomorrow.” Cher's wigmaker came from Düsseldorf , so I just imitated her.”

Garr and Cher had worked together and become friends The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour in the early 1970s.

Speaking about the film and its enduring popularity, Garr said: “I have to say, though, that the role in this film really put me on the map. I had no idea it would be such a big hit and it's still hot. People still watch it all the time. I had no idea. It was really the first time I had my name on the poster, in the lead roles and all that stuff. So I’m really grateful that I was there at all and that I came back with that German accent.”

And when asked about working with the film's impeccable cast—in addition to Wilder and Kahn, the main cast included Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle and Cloris Leachman—Garr recalled, “You know, it was like the teacher was saying , he should stop laughing and stuff. What you can do is laugh more. Mel would say, “Can we do one more take without laughing?” And we'd say, “We'll try.” We'd laugh at everything. Marty Feldman – God, was he funny?