The Sound Of Music Cast: Where Are The Von Trapp Children Now In 2025?

Contents

Few films in cinematic history hold the timeless charm and emotional power of The Sound of Music (1965). As of December 2025, the film is celebrating its 60th anniversary, bringing renewed attention to the iconic cast, from Dame Julie Andrews to the seven adorable Von Trapp children. This deep dive reveals who is still alive, the surprising new careers some pursued outside of Hollywood, and the touching details of their enduring, family-like bond six decades later. The latest news confirms that the surviving cast members are still actively celebrating the film’s legacy with special events and reunions, keeping the "Do-Re-Mi" spirit alive for a new generation.

The curiosity surrounding the "Von Trapp kids" remains immense, especially as the film marks a major milestone. While the world mourned the passing of legends like Christopher Plummer (Captain Georg von Trapp) and Charmian Carr (Liesl), the remaining five child actors maintain a remarkably close relationship. This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at the full principal cast, offering a complete biographical profile and their current status in 2025, including their surprising post-film careers as artists, geologists, and directors.

The Complete Cast of The Sound of Music (1965) Film: Biographies and Current Status

The following list details the core cast of the five-time Oscar-winning musical, including their birth dates, roles, and what became of them after the film’s monumental success.

  • Julie Andrews (Maria von Trapp)
    • Born: October 1, 1935 (Age 90 in 2025)
    • Status: Alive and active. Dame Julie Andrews remains an entertainment legend, an EGOT winner, and an author. She actively participates in cast reunions and continues her voice work, notably as the narrator for the popular Netflix series Bridgerton.
  • Christopher Plummer (Captain Georg von Trapp)
    • Born: December 13, 1929
    • Status: Deceased. Plummer passed away on February 5, 2021, at the age of 91. He had an illustrious career, becoming the oldest person to win an acting Oscar in 2012.
  • Charmian Carr (Liesl von Trapp)
    • Born: December 27, 1942
    • Status: Deceased. Carr, who played the eldest von Trapp child, passed away on September 17, 2016, at age 73. After acting, she had a successful career as an interior designer.
  • Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich von Trapp)
    • Born: May 15, 1950 (Age 75 in 2025)
    • Status: Alive. Hammond is an active actor, writer, and director based in Sydney, Australia. He is also famous for playing Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the 1970s television series. He had a notable appearance in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood.
  • Heather Menzies-Urich (Louisa von Trapp)
    • Born: December 3, 1949
    • Status: Deceased. Menzies-Urich passed away on December 24, 2017, at age 68, after a battle with brain cancer. She continued acting in various TV and film roles after The Sound of Music.
  • Angela Cartwright (Brigitta von Trapp)
    • Born: September 9, 1952 (Age 73 in 2025)
    • Status: Alive. Cartwright is a successful author, artist, and photographer. She is also well-known for her role as Penny Robinson in the 1960s TV series Lost in Space.
  • Duane Chase (Kurt von Trapp)
    • Born: December 12, 1950 (Age 75 in 2025)
    • Status: Alive. Chase left acting after the film to pursue a career in natural sciences. He became a successful geologist and computer software analyst/designer, specializing in geophysical software.
  • Debbie Turner (Marta von Trapp)
    • Born: September 5, 1956 (Age 69 in 2025)
    • Status: Alive. Turner’s only major film role was Marta. She is now a floral and event designer, running a company called Debbie Turner Originals, and resides in Minnesota.
  • Kym Karath (Gretl von Trapp)
    • Born: August 4, 1958 (Age 67 in 2025)
    • Status: Alive. Karath, the youngest of the Von Trapp children, is an active advocate for children with special needs. She has spoken publicly about the challenges of being a child actor.

The Enduring Family: Reunions and the 60th Anniversary Celebration

The bond between the actors who played the Von Trapp children is legendary in Hollywood, often described as a genuine second family. This connection is not just a piece of trivia; it’s a living, breathing relationship that continues to manifest in public reunions, especially as the film nears its 60th anniversary.

In July 2025, the surviving cast members are expected to hold a significant reunion to mark the 60th anniversary of the film's release, which premiered in 1965. These gatherings are always highly anticipated by fans, offering a chance to see the five surviving Von Trapp siblings—Nicholas Hammond, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, and Kym Karath—together.

Julie Andrews herself has maintained a close relationship with her on-screen children, often joining them for special events and interviews over the decades. The cast members frequently speak of their time filming in Salzburg, Austria, as a formative experience that cemented a lifelong friendship, a rarity in the competitive world of cinema.

The film's timeless appeal is also evident in the new productions that continue to be mounted worldwide. For instance, a new North American national tour of the musical is scheduled for the 2025–2026 season, featuring a fresh cast, including Cayleigh Capaldi as Maria Rainer and Kevin Earley as Captain Georg von Trapp. This ensures that the legacy of Rodgers and Hammerstein's masterpiece continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.

The Supporting Icons and Film's Topical Authority

While the Von Trapp family forms the heart of the story, the film's critical success and topical authority were cemented by its stellar supporting cast and legendary production team. These actors delivered performances that are just as memorable as the leads, contributing significantly to the film’s five Academy Awards.

Peggy Wood (The Mother Abbess)

Peggy Wood delivered the film's most powerful vocal performance with "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." A major stage and film actress whose career spanned over six decades, Wood received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her final screen role in The Sound of Music. She passed away in 1978.

Richard Haydn (Max Detweiler)

The witty, opportunistic "Uncle" Max Detweiler was played by British actor Richard Haydn. Known for his distinctive voice and comedic roles, Haydn's portrayal of the family friend and cultural impresario provided much of the film's comic relief. Haydn passed away in 1985.

Eleanor Parker (Baroness Elsa Schraeder)

Eleanor Parker, a three-time Oscar nominee, played the sophisticated, wealthy Baroness Elsa Schraeder, Captain von Trapp’s initial fiancée. Her character represented the societal pressures and compromises the Captain ultimately rejected for Maria. Parker, known as the "Woman of a Thousand Faces," passed away in 2013.

The film's enduring topical authority extends beyond the cast to its creative backbone. Director Robert Wise masterfully balanced the musical numbers with the serious historical backdrop of the Anschluss (the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany). The indelible music and lyrics were, of course, the work of the legendary duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, though Hammerstein had passed away before the film was made. The breathtaking cinematography of the Salzburg and Bavarian Alps locations is a character in itself, drawing millions of tourists to the film's real-life settings decades later. These elements combine to make The Sound of Music not just a film, but a cultural phenomenon that continues to be discussed, celebrated, and re-watched across the globe.

The Sound of Music Cast: Where Are the Von Trapp Children Now in 2025?
cast of sound of music
cast of sound of music

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