Julie Andrews: The Real-Life Maria and Nanny to ‘Sound of Music’ Stars
Can we just take a pause for a moment to appreciate the timeless charm of Julie Andrews? Sixty years after she belted those iconic tunes in “The Sound of Music,” her former young co-stars are reminiscing about their experiences with the beloved star, revealing she was as nurturing and warm offscreen as her character Maria. Duane Chase, who played little Kurt von Trapp, opened up in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, sharing how Andrews practically embodied the role of an on-set nanny. Chase remembers, “She kind of kept us in line” during their chaotic filming days.
Imagine this: a massive blanket spread out on set, with Andrews, now 89, engaged in playful card games with her young castmates, including Kym Karath (Gretl) and the late Charmian Carr (Liesl von Trapp). It sounds like the ultimate summer camp experience, right? Andrews’ genuine warmth shone through in the way she would include her daughter Emma, who was just a baby at the time, in the fun. It’s no wonder that many who worked with her still have nothing but affectionate memories—it sounds like a scene right out of a wholesome movie!
And talk about being ahead of the game! Before Andrews won an Oscar for “Mary Poppins,” she was busy introducing her young colleagues to the magic of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” on the guitar, long before it became a household name. Chase recalls these moments fondly, while Karath adds that Andrews was “warm, congenial, and patient”—essentially a ray of sunshine amid the rigors of filming.
But it wasn’t just all play; Andrews even threw an all-day pool party at her house, inviting the child actors and their families. This not only highlights her generosity but also paints a picture of a close-knit film family, a rarity in Hollywood. The insights from Chase and Karath provide a lovely window into what filming this classic musical was really like and remind us that Andrews is, and always will be, an incredible human being—who just so happens to have one of the best voices in cinematic history.
If you want to dive deeper into these nostalgic tales about “The Sound of Music” and catch more of that Andrews magic, be sure to pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, IMDb
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