'The Sound Of Music's' von Trapp children reunite as Julie Andrews gets award

Julia Hunt
·Contributor
·2-min read
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 09: (L-R) Debbie Turner, Angela Cartwright, honoree Julie Andrews, Nicholas Hammond, Kym Karath, and Duane Chase attend the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Julie Andrews at Dolby Theatre on June 09, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for AFI)
Debbie Turner, Angela Cartwright, Nicholas Hammond, Kym Karath and Duane Chase were reunited with Dame Julie Andrews. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for AFI)

Dame Julie Andrews was reunited with the von Trapp children from The Sound Of Music as she was honoured by the American Film Institute (AFI).

Five of the seven actors who played the children in the 1965 movie were there to see the 86-year-old star presented with the prestigious Life Achievement Award.

Pictures from the event show Dame Julie on the red carpet alongside actors Duane Chase (Kurt), Kym Karath (Gretl), Angela Cartwright (Brigitta), Debbie Turner (Marta), and Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich).

Read more: The Sound Of Music kids: Then and Now

The film starred Dame Julie as Maria, a governess to the children of naval officer and widower Captain von Trapp, who was played by the late Christopher Plummer.

The actors playing members of the Von Trapp family in a promotional portrait for 'The Sound Of Music', directed by Robert Wise, 1965. Left to right: Nicholas Hammond as Friedrich, Kym Karath as Gretl, Angela Cartwright as Brigitta, Julie Andrews as Maria, Christopher Plummer as Captain Von Trapp, Charmian Carr as Liesl, Heather Menzies as Louisa, Debbie Turner as Marta and Duane Chase as Kurt. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
The Sound Of Music was released in 1965. (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

Charmian Carr, who played eldest daughter Liesl, died in 2016 and Heather Menzies, who starred as Louisa, passed away in 2017.

Dame Julie was originally supposed to be honoured at the event in LA in 2020.

However, it was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The AFI said of the honour: "Long considered one of the preeminent annual events for the entertainment and arts community, the AFI Life Achievement Award is a singular distinction bestowed upon artists 'whose work has stood the test of time'."

(From L) Actors Duane Chase, Kym Karath, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, and Nicholas Hammond attend the 48th AFI Life Achievement Award during a Gala Tribute at the Dolby theatre in Hollywood, California, June 9, 2022. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
The film was a huge hit. (VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

President and CEO Bob Gazzale previously said the Mary Poppins star had "lifted the spirits of the world for generations".

"Now, more than ever, AFI looks forward to gathering the globe to celebrate the many gifts and joy she has given us - proving her, of course, ‘practically perfect in every way'," he said last year.

Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp sits on a sofa with Charmian Carr as Liesl von Trapp in the film adaption of the Rogers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music.
Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp and Charmian Carr as Liesl von Trapp. (Getty)

The Sound Of Music was released in 1965 and was a huge hit, going on to be embraced by later generations. The actor won a Golden Globe for her performance as Maria.

Read more: Julie Andrews says it is too late for Princess Diaries 3

Dame Julie is also known for films such as Mary Poppins, Star! and Victor/Victoria, and in more recent years, The Princess Diaries.

Watch: Julie Andrews recalls illustrious Hollywood career

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