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

In a statement to PEOPLEthe Friends actress said: “Teri Garr was a comedic acting genius who had and is a huge influence on me and I know I’m not alone in that.”

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

For the unfamiliar: Teri rose to fame with her debut role in Friends as Phoebe Abbott, the estranged biological mother of Lisa’s role of Phoebe Buffay in season 3, episode 25. She appeared in three episodes of the hit NBC sitcom.

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

The late actress is known for her comedic characters in films, including 1974 Young Frankenstein and 1982 Toetsie.

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

Teri reportedly died at the age of 79 due to 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.

Earlier in 2005 I spoke with Brain & Life magazineTeri said, “Slowing down is not in my nature, but I have to.”

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