Sound of Music Child Stars Cherish Lifelong Bond

Quick Smiles:

• The Von Trapp child actors from 1965’s “The Sound of Music” formed a lasting friendship that endures decades later.
• Kym Karath, the youngest on set, fondly remembers being “given six siblings” through the film.
• Nicholas Hammond, who played Friedrick, even escorted Karath to her first prom, continuing their special connection off screen.

The young stars who played the Von Trapp children in “The Sound of Music” became real-life friends, supporting each other long after the cameras stopped rolling.

Kym Karath, who was just 5 years old when she took on the role of Gretl, said:

“I loved my ‘Sound of Music’ siblings — I still love them!”

Reflecting on the experience, Karath shared:

“It was such a gift to be given six siblings. My sister and brother were 16 and 15 years older than I was, respectively, so I almost grew up as a little bit of an only child. So I suddenly had all of these siblings … And yeah, they’ve remained in my life forever.”

The cast formed a strong bond, even celebrating milestones together.

Nicholas Hammond, who played oldest brother Friedrick, accompanied Karath to her very first prom at her mother’s request.

“And she thought she could trust Nicky — and she could trust Nicky,” Karath recalled.

Their friendship has endured life’s major ups and downs, including marriages, divorces, and the passing of two cast members.

Hammond shared:

“We know we’ve been through a lot with each other: we’ve been through marriages, we’ve been through divorces; we’ve been through the deaths of family members and deaths of now two of our siblings from the film. And those are huge things.”

Remembering their unique shared experience, Hammond said:

“It was only us seven that knew what that experience was like. Our own siblings and our parents kind of did, but didn’t really.”

“They didn’t know what it was like to walk into the school cafeteria and suddenly 500 people just stop eating and turn and stare at you.”

Even after nearly six decades, the cast maintains their close ties.

Hammond mentioned that he is still in touch with some of his on-screen siblings every week.

“I just feel so blessed that I had a series of good, positive experiences working with people whom I admired and who treated me respectfully. And so to me, it was just the greatest job in the world.”

These enduring friendships remind us that the magic of “The Sound of Music” lives on.

It lives not just on screen, but in the hearts of those who brought the beloved story to life.

Let these warm memories inspire you.

Treasure the special bonds in your own life!

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