WHERE ARE THEY NOW: The cast of 'The Sound of Music' 56 years later

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Erin McDowellFeb 17, 2021, 02:54 IST
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: The cast of 'The Sound of Music' 56 years later

"The Sound of Music" cast members Julie Andrews, Charmian Carr, Debbie Turner, Kym Karath, Nicholas Hammond, Heather Menzies, Angela Cartwright, and Duane Chase in 2005.Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

  • Julie Andrews, who played Maria, is now the narrator of "Bridgerton."
  • Christopher Plummer, who played Captain von Trapp, passed away on February 5.
  • Debbie Turner, who played Marta von Trapp, now sells face masks inspired by "The Sound of Music."

"The Sound of Music," the musical drama film featuring the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, is turning 56 years old on March 2.

Christopher Plummer, the legendary actor who played Captain Georg von Trapp, passed away on February 5 at the age of 91. Following his death, tributes from his former cast members began to pour in.

"The world has lost a consummate actor today and I have lost a cherished friend," Julie Andrews said in a statement, according to Entertainment Weekly. "I treasure the memories of our work together and all the humor and fun we shared through the years. My heart and condolences go out to his lovely wife Elaine, and his daughter Amanda."

Nicholas Hammond, who played Friedrich von Trapp in "The Sound of Music," also shared his condolences on Twitter, writing, "Christopher Plummer showed this [14-year-old] novice actor what acting really was. He never compromised. Every film and every play he did was made better by him. A huge blow to us in the 'Sound of Music' family. We, along with the whole world, will miss him very much."

Here is the cast of "The Sound of Music" 56 years later.

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Julie Andrews played Maria, a feisty nun who takes a job as a governess for the seven von Trapp children.

Julie Andrews played Maria, a feisty nun who takes a job as a governess for the seven von Trapp children.
Julie Andrews in "The Sound Of Music." Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

At the time of the film's production in 1964, Julie Andrews was just 29 years old. Initially, Andrews was hesitant to accept the role. The star's breakthrough Disney film "Mary Poppins" was still in production, and she was worried about playing another "wholesome nanny" role, according to Biography.com.

Other actresses, including Audrey Hepburn, Doris Day, and even Grace Kelly, were considered for the role, but in the end, Andrews was screenplay writer Ernest Lehman's first choice.

It ended up being the right choice — Andrews received an Oscar nomination for best actress at the 38th Academy Awards.

Julie Andrews is now the narrator of the hit Netflix period drama series "Bridgerton."

Julie Andrews is now the narrator of the hit Netflix period drama series "Bridgerton."
Julie Andrews in 2019. Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Andrews, 85, voices the narrator and elusive gossip columnist Lady Whistledown in "Bridgerton."

"She was at the top of our list for Lady Whistledown," "Bridgerton" showrunner Chris Van Dusen told OprahMag.com. "We offered her the part, sent her the scripts, not thinking anything would really come of it. But surprisingly she read the scripts and fell in love with them."

"Bridgerton" series author Julia Quinn said she was shocked. "When they told me I legitimately stopped breathing," she said. "I mean, I should be dead."

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Christopher Plummer played the aloof Captain Georg von Trapp.

Christopher Plummer played the aloof Captain Georg von Trapp.
Christopher Plummer in "The Sound of Music." Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Plummer also recalled being hesitant about the script, "because it was so awful and sentimental and gooey," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "You had to work terribly hard to try and infuse some minuscule bit of humor into it."

However, it was Plummer's background as a dramatic actor that made him perfect for the role in the producers' eyes. Despite his acting chops, his singing ended up being dubbed in the final version with singer Bill Lee's voice, NPR reported.

Christopher Plummer recently passed away at the age of 91.

Christopher Plummer recently passed away at the age of 91.
Christopher Plummer in 2019. Jemal Countess/Getty Images

He was nominated for three Academy Awards, ultimately winning the best supporting actor award for "Beginners" in 2012. At 82, he became the oldest actor to ever receive an Oscar.

Most recently, in 2019, Plummer starred in Rian Johnson's "Knives Out" opposite Chris Evans and Ana de Armas.

However, it was his part as Captain Georg von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" that he is arguably most fondly remembered for, though he frequently shunned the movie in later years.

"I was a bit bored with the character," Plummer told The Boston Globe in 2010. "Although we worked hard enough to make him interesting, it was a bit like flogging a dead horse. And the subject matter is not mine. I mean, it can't appeal to every person in the world. It's not my cup of tea."

Despite not liking his role in the movie, Plummer remained "the best of friends" with his costar Julie Andrews for decades, she told ABC.

On February 5, 2021, Christopher Plummer died at his home in Connecticut with his wife, Elaine Taylor, by his side. He was 91.

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Charmian Carr was a little bit older than her character Liesl von Trapp was supposed to be in the movie.

Charmian Carr was a little bit older than her character Liesl von Trapp was supposed to be in the movie.
Charmian Carr in "The Sound of Music." 20th Century Fox

Rather than being 16 going on 17, the actress was actually 21 years old when she played the eldest von Trapp child in her breakout role.

According to The Telegraph, it was Carr's mother who recommended her to a casting agent for "The Sound of Music," saying, "She's 21, but she could pass for 16."

The actress was working as a physician's assistant at the time and had no theatrical or musical training. However, she captivated the casting agents with her beautiful voice and appearance.

Carr starred in only one TV movie after "The Sound of Music."

Carr starred in only one TV movie after "The Sound of Music."
Charmian Carr in 2012. Tibrina Hobson/WireImage/Getty Images

Carr starred in the musical "Evening Primrose" in 1966, the year after "The Sound of Music" was released.

"It was hard to have your first role as the high spot of your career," she told the London Daily Telegraph, according to the Washington Post. "I felt smothered by Liesl. She began to feel like my evil twin, the perfect one that everyone loved."

While taking a short break from touring the world promoting "The Sound of Music," Carr met and married her husband, Jay Brent. Carr continued acting for a while, but after becoming a mother to two children, she decided to leave Hollywood and focus on building an interior design company. The pair divorced in 1991, after which she wrote her autobiography "Forever Liesl."

On September 18, 2016, Carr's family announced the actress had passed away due to complications from a rare form of dementia the day before, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She was 73.

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Nicholas Hammond played the second-eldest von Trapp child, Friedrich.

Nicholas Hammond played the second-eldest von Trapp child, Friedrich.
Nicholas Hammond in "The Sound of Music." 20th Century Fox

When "The Sound of Music" was released, Nicholas Hammond was 15 years old. His mother, Eileen Bennett, was also an actress, but the one who indirectly influenced him to go into acting was Julie Andrews herself.

"I saw her onstage in 'My Fair Lady' when I was nine and I made a decision that night that I wanted to do what that lady does," Hammond told Parade in 2013.

He went on to act in the TV series "The Amazing Spider-Man."

He went on to act in the TV series "The Amazing Spider-Man."
Nicholas Hammond in 2019. Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

According to IMDb, Hammond was the first actor to play Spiderman in a live-action production of the comic. Born in 1950, he is also the only actor to play Peter Parker who was born before the character first appeared in a comic book, in 1962.

Hammond, now 70, was born in the US but moved to Australia in the mid-1980s. The actor now lives in Sydney where he works as an actor, screenwriter, and director. He's also remained close with his "The Sound of Music" costars, especially the other von Trapp children.

"We bonded because, for all of us, and particularly the seven kids, it was an extraordinary experience as a young person to go through — where one day you're an unknown child actor and literally the day after the film opens, we were the seven most famous children in the world," he told Parade in 2013.

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Heather Menzies-Urich played Louisa, the third-oldest von Trapp sibling.

Heather Menzies-Urich played Louisa, the third-oldest von Trapp sibling.
Heather Menzies-Urich in "The Sound of Music." 20th Century Fox

The film was released when Menzies-Urich was just 15 years old. Though Louisa didn't have much of a storyline, Menzies-Urich was able to display her ballet background during the performance of "So Long, Farewell."

Menzies-Urich continued to act for the next 25 years, most notably as Jessica 6 in the sci-fi TV series "Logan's Run."

Menzies-Urich continued to act for the next 25 years, most notably as Jessica 6 in the sci-fi TV series "Logan's Run."
Heather Menzies-Urich in 2015. Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

The series, which was a spinoff of the movie of the same name, only ran for one season between 1977 and 1978. Menzies-Urich continued to act up until 1990, mostly appearing in TV series and TV movies.

She passed away at the age of 68 in 2017. Her husband, actor Robert Urich, shared the news of her passing with Variety.

"She was an actress, a ballerina, and loved living her life to the fullest," Urich said, according to USA Today.

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Duane Chase acted in commercials before being cast as Kurt in "The Sound of Music."

Duane Chase acted in commercials before being cast as Kurt in "The Sound of Music."
Duane Chase in "The Sound of Music." 20th Century Fox

Chase had a short-lived career as a child actor. Following his breakout role as Kurt von Trapp at 15 years old, Duane Chase acted in the family film "Follow Me, Boys!" and "The Big Valley."

He left the acting industry to pursue a degree in geology.

He left the acting industry to pursue a degree in geology.
Duane Chase in 2005. Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

According to IMDb, Chase briefly fought fires with the forestry service. Later, in 2020, he volunteered to drive supply trucks down to Southern Oregon to fight the wildfires sweeping across the state and California.

Now 70, he is now living in Seattle, Washington, and working as a computer software analyst and designer for oil and mining companies.

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British-born Angela Cartwright played the bright Brigitta von Trapp.

British-born Angela Cartwright played the bright Brigitta von Trapp.
Angela Cartwright in "The Sound of Music." 20th Century Fox

Prior to landing the role of Brigitta, Cartwright acted in the 1950s TV series "The Danny Thomas Show."

"Thousands were interviewed to play the parts of the von Trapp children and when I got word I had been cast I was so excited," she wrote on her website. "Danny Thomas released me from the last show of the 'Danny Thomas Show' season so I could begin working on this movie. For that, I am so grateful because he didn't have to do that."

She went on to act in several TV series.

She went on to act in several TV series.
Angela Cartwright in 2005. Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

Angela Cartwright, now 68, had a relatively successful acting career following "The Sound of Music." Her acting credits include roles in "Lost in Space," "My Three Sons," and "The Love Boat."

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Debbie Turner played the second-youngest von Trapp child, Marta von Trapp.

Debbie Turner played the second-youngest von Trapp child, Marta von Trapp.
Debbie Turner in "The Sound of Music." 20th Century Fox

Debbie Turner grew up in a showbiz family and moved to California in the 1950s. She was involved in TV, commercial, and print modeling work before landing the role of Marta in "The Sound of Music."

According to IMDb, the young actress tested for the role on February 7, 1964. The producers found her "so adorable" that they cast her immediately.

Turner is a freelance floral designer and sells face masks inspired by the curtain outfits in the movie.

Turner is a freelance floral designer and sells face masks inspired by the curtain outfits in the movie.
Debbie Turner in 2005. Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

Turner lives in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and has operated her floral design company for 30 years, according to her website.

Now, Turner is paying homage to her "The Sound of Music" roots with a new business venture — making face masks based on the iconic curtains used to make the children's play clothes in the movie.

"Even prior to the pandemic, I'd been looking for the curtain fabric from the movie. I've been searching for a couple of years because I had other ideas of what I wanted to do with it," she told the Star Tribune in November. "I had found some online so I had 10 yards of this fabric that was ungodly expensive."

Orders for the masks immediately took off, and all five of the surviving von Trapp children have shown their support for Turner by posting photos wearing the masks.

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Kym Karath played the youngest von Trapp sibling, Gretl.

Kym Karath played the youngest von Trapp sibling, Gretl.
Kym Karath in "The Sound of Music." 20th Century Fox

Karath had a successful career as a child actor in the early 1960s before landing her role in "The Sound of Music" when she was 5.

At the time of the movie's filming, Karath couldn't swim, which posed a problem when it came to the boat-flipping scene.

"The little one can't swim, please fall to the front of the boat so you can get to her quickly," Andrews told ABC News the directors asked her. "Of course I went to the back of the boat."

Another von Trapp child ended up having to lift Karath to safety.

Karath later took a break from Hollywood and moved to Paris, where she studied art history and modeled. She later returned to acting.

Karath later took a break from Hollywood and moved to Paris, where she studied art history and modeled. She later returned to acting.
Kym Karath in 2012. Tibrina Hobson/WireImage/Getty Images

After "The Sound of Music," Karath had roles in television shows like "Dr. Kildare," "Lassie," "Lost in Space," and "The Brady Bunch," according to IMDb.

After graduating from the University of Southern California, the actress, now 62, moved to Paris to study art history and model. She married her husband, Philippe L'Equilbec, and moved back to the US. However, she took a lengthy break from acting to raise their son.

In 2005, the cast of "The Sound of Music" reunited to share what they were up to now. At the time, Karath said she was resuming her acting career in Los Angeles.

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