Heather Menzies, 1949-2017

Sad news arrived on Christmas, particularly for those of us who love THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965): Actress Heather Menzies passed away on Christmas Eve. She was 68.

Menzies, who played second daughter Louisa in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, had recently been diagnosed with brain cancer. Her loss comes just over a year after the September 2016 passing of Charmian Carr, who played eldest child Liesl.

Menzies was the widow of actor Robert Urich, who died of the rare cancer sarcoma in 2002. The couple established the Robert Urich Foundation for sarcoma research and to help support cancer patients.

Kym Karath, who played youngest child Gretl Von Trapp, Tweeted "I am filled with infinite sadness tonight. My precious friend and SOM sister Heather Menzies passed away this evening. Devastated."

Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich) Tweeted "We loved our dear sister Heather very much."

Ted Chapin of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization also released a statement which said in part: "We at Rodgers & Hammerstein mourn the passing of Heather Menzies-Urich. Heather was part of 'the family.' There is really no other way to describe the members of the cast...We are all lucky to have known her, and she will happily live on in that beautiful movie. We will miss her."

Menzies' career included a number of other films, including a small role in HAWAII (1966) with SOUND OF MUSIC costar Julie Andrews, and the short-lived TV series LOGAN'S RUN (1977-78) with Gregory Harrison.

She is survived by a son, two daughters (including a 19-year-old), and several grandchildren.

Over the years I've seen many special actors pass from this life, but I find that those actors who were first special to me in my childhood hit the hardest, like Carrie Fisher, Charmian Carr...and Heather.

I post this with love and thanks for her contribution to a film which has been such a joyous part of my life, and send sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Update: Angela Cartwright, who is seen with Heather in some of the set photos above, has now posted a tribute to her SOUND OF MUSIC sister on Instagram.

February 2021 Update: Farewell to Captain von Trapp.