Lisa Kudrow gets emotional as she remembers her TV mom Teri Garr after her tragic death on October 29.

In a statement about this PEOPLEThe Friends The actress said: “Teri Garr was a comedic acting genius who had and continues to have a huge influence on me, and I know I'm not alone in that.”

Lisa revealed that she is “so happy and grateful” that she “got to work with Teri Garr.”

For those unfamiliar, Teri rose to fame with her debut role Friends as Phoebe Abbott, the estranged biological mother of Lisa's Phoebe Buffay character in Season 3, Episode 25. She appeared in three episodes of the hit NBC sitcom.

Teri began her career in Elvis Presley films of the 1960s Viva Las Vegas And Roustabout. The actress also appeared in the 1964 beach party film Annette Funicello. Pajama party.

The late actress is known for her comedic roles in films like 1974's Young Frankenstein and 1982 Tootsie.

After her guest role on Friends, Teri also appeared on shows like ER, Felicity, Strong Medicine, Mad TV, Life with Bonnie, Greetings from Tucson, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit And crumbs.

Teri reportedly died at the age of 79 from multiple sclerosis, which was first diagnosed in 1999.

The late actress became a national ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and national chair of the society's Women Against MS program. She retired from acting in 2011.

At the beginning of 2005 in conversation with Brain & Life MagazineTeri explained, “It's not in my nature to slow down, but I have to.”

“Stress and anxiety and all that tension is not good for MS,” she added.