Sound of Music’s Child Stars Reveal 60-Year Friendship Secret
By Quinn Parker
Okay, so let me tell you-this is WILD but Kym Karath reveals the Sound of Music cast has stayed best friends for 60 years thanks to a mix of Julie Andrews’ warmth and an old-school reunion ritual. According to a recent New York Post interview, Karath sat down to spill the tea on how her fellow child actors have managed to keep their bond alive across six decades of life changes, moves and Hollywood drama.
In an exclusive scoop, Karath credits the original von Trapp clan’s matriarch, Julie Andrews, for setting the tone on day one of filming in 1964. “She treated us like family from the first greeting,” Karath told the Post. People Magazine also corroborates that Andrews would host weekly gatherings at her trailer, where the young cast would play games, share snacks and rehearse scenes in a cozy, living-room atmosphere. That mix of playfulness and professionalism laid the groundwork for enduring camaraderie.
Throughout the years, the cast members have kept in touch through handwritten letters, postcard exchanges and group phone calls. Duane Chase, who played Kurt von Trapp, confirmed to People that every holiday season still brings a pile of festive cards and personal notes. This analog approach may sound quaint today, but Karath says it fostered genuine connection before digital overload ever existed.
Beyond snail-mail traditions, an annual reunion has become the glue that binds them. Each July, surviving cast members gather at rotating homes—sometimes in Los Angeles, occasionally in Salzburg itself—for potluck dinners and slide-show evenings. “We laugh about old bloopers, trade updates on careers and toast our friendship,” Karath added during her New York Post chat. She noted that these meetups often feature vintage clips from the film, making even seasoned actors tear up at the memories.
Of course, life has thrown curveballs. Some castmates have passed away, and schedules collide. Yet Karath says the core group remains committed. Thanks to a WhatsApp thread created in 2010, there’s a digital lifeline when physical reunions aren’t possible. “We might be scattered around the globe,” Karath explained, “but that chat thread is our virtual living room.”
Industry insiders applaud their dedication. A Hollywood Reporter piece last year highlighted the Sound of Music clan as an outlier compared to other child ensembles, which often drift apart after a hit. Experts tell the Post that kindness, consistent engagement and genuine affection are the secret sauce.
As the 60th anniversary celebrations approach, fans might get one last treat: Karath hints at a possible documentary project that would showcase unseen footage and cast interviews. If that pans out, it will be another testament to the group’s lasting bond and Julie Andrews’ early influence.
Okay, I need to calm down after that!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
