Charmian Carr, who was beloved by generations of film fans for her portrayal of eldest Von Trapp daughter Liesl in The Sound of Music, has died in California. She was 73.
Carr's family said she had been suffering from a rare form of dementia.
Carr sang the classic I Am Sixteen Going on Seventeen in The Sound of Music but was actually 21 at the time of filming.
She also appeared opposite Anthony Perkins in the Stephen Sondheim TV musical Evening Primrose but then left acting to raise her family.
Carr later established her own company, Charmian Carr Design, and wrote two books, Forever Liesl and Letters to Liesl. She was also a host and guest at many Sound of Music-themed events over the years.
Paying tribute, Kym Karath, who played youngest daughter Gretl in The Sound of Music, described her friend and co-star as "precious" and "exquisite".
One of Charmian's and many happy times together . She has been like a sister throughout my life . Excruciating . pic.twitter.com/IXPok2I1e4
— Kym Karath (@KymKarath) September 18, 2016
Film studio 20th Century Fox, which produced and distributed the big screen version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, said: "To the generations of The Sound of Music fans around the world, she was Liesl. To us she was 'Charmy', a beloved member of the Fox family for more than 50 years. A true talent as well as a kind, gentle person she'll be greatly missed but forever remain in our hearts."
The Sound of Music lost a beloved member of the family w/ the passing of Charmian Carr. She will be forever missed. pic.twitter.com/ehqec4uWrr
— 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) September 18, 2016
Carr is survived by her two daughters; two sisters and two brothers; four grandchildren and her niece.
