The 1963 film remains a firm family favourite, but what has become of actors who played the infamous von Trapp kids?
Kym Karath, who played the youngest child, Gretl, described their bond as like a “second family,” thanks to the many weeks spent in Austria together while filming. As a result, she says their adult lives were wound together.
From l-r, back: Duane Chase, Heather Menzies, Angela Cartwright, Nicholar Hammond, Julie Andrews, Charmian Carr
Front: Kym Karath, Dabbie Turner
Charmian Carr, Liesl von Trapp
On Monday the sad news was announced that Charmian Carr, who played the eldest von Trapp Liesl, had passed away following dementia complications. She was just 73.
After briefly remaining in the showbiz industry in the 60s, Charmian opened her own interior design firm, where she looked after clients such as Michael Jackson, and her fellow Sound of Music cast mates.
She raised two daughters, Jennifer and Emily, and remained close with her other co-stars.
Angela Cartwright, Brigitta von Trapp
British Angela was 13 when she was cast as Brigitta, but she already had several roles as a child actress before The Sound of Music. She went onto star in TV series Lost in Space but gave up acting when she had her kids, Jesse and Rebecca Gullion.
Now aged 64, she works as a photographer, painter and writer in Los Angeles.
From l-r: Kym, Angela and Debbie in recent times
Duane Chase, Kurt von Trapp
Kurt continued acting after SoM but eventually went to college to studt geology. He works as a software engineer near Seattle in the U.S., and lives with his nurse wife, Petra Maria.
Nicholas Hammond, Friedrich von Trapp
Cheeky Friedrich was played by Nicholas Hammond, who went onto land the role of Peter Parker in the TV adaptation of The Amazing Spiderman. He also had popular roles in Murder, She Wrote,Dallas and The Love Boat.*
He now lives in Australia with his actress partner Robyn Nevin, and still works as an actor writer and director.
Duane and Kym in recent years
Nicholas Hammond pictured with a few of his ‘sisters’ in recent years
Nicholas Hammond in SOM
Kym Karath, Gretl von Trapp
The youngest of the Trapp children, Kym was perfect as five year old, round cheeked Gretl. Kym went onto have roles in Lost in Space, and The Brady Bunch, but when her son was born with disabilities she focused on parenting rather than acting.
Kym later established the Aurelia Foundation with other parents, that provides services for special needs kids when they finish high school.
Now in her late 50s, the actress is planning a return to the limelight.
Kym Karath, here as Gretl
Heather Menzies Urich, Louisa von Trapp
The Sound of Music was Heather’s first film, but she continued acting after appearing in Logan’s Run, The Love Boat and S.W.A.T.
After she had kids, she stopped acting and she now runs a non-profit organisation, after her husband Robert Urich died for a rare form of cancer.
Heather Menzies, highlighted in SOM
Heather Menzies in Piranha
Debbie Turner, Marta von Trapp
Keen sportswoman Debbie is now a mum of four who also became an interior designer after her acting stint. She now owns a floral design business in Minnesota. Interestingly, she was recently asked to provide flowers for a wedding in Austria, where The Sound of Music was set.
Charmian and Debbie, posted by Debbie on hearing of her friend’s death
