Sound of Music actress, Heather Menzies-Urich, who played Louisa von Trapp in the 1964 classic, has died aged 68.
Her death was announced by the estate of the musical’s creators, Rodgers and Hammerstein.
The Canadian-born actress was diagnosed with brain cancer a month ago and died on Christmas Eve surrounded by her family, her son Ryan confirmed.
Menzies-Urich was just 14 years old and had no acting experience when she landed the role of the third-oldest von Trapp child in the iconic movie starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
The movie is based on the story of the singing von Trapp family who fled Nazi rule.
“She was an actor, a ballerina and loved living her life to the fullest,” Ryan told TMZ.
Rodgers and Hammerstein president, Ted Chapin, paid tribute to her: “Heather was part of the family. There is really no other way to describe the members of the cast of the movie of The Sound of Music.
“Heather was a cheerful and positive member of the group, always hoping for the next gathering. We are all lucky to have known her, and she will happily live on in that beautiful movie. We will miss her.”
Menzies-Urich married actor Robert Urich in 1975 and the couple had three children. He died in 2002.
Her death comes a little over a year after that of Charmian Carr – who played the eldest von Trapp daughter Liesl.
