Sound of Music’ Actress Heather Menzies-Urich Dies at 68
She was not on the list.
Menzies-Urich, the widow of actor Robert Urich, had been recently diagnosed with cancer, according to her son Ryan Urich.
Urich said his mother died on Christmas Eve, surrounded by her children and family members.
“She was an actress, a ballerina and loved living her life to the fullest,” Urich said. “She was not in any pain but, nearly four weeks after her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer, she had enough and took her last breath on this earth at 7:22 pm.”
Born in Toronto, Menzies-Urich’s first screen credit came in the TV series “The Farmer’s Daughter” in 1964. She was then cast as the third-oldest of the seven von Trapp children in “The Sound of Music.” The film adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical was a box office smash that won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Kym Karath, who played Gretl, tweeted, “I am filled with infinite sadness.”
I am filled with infinite sadness tonight. My precious friend and SOM sister Heather Menzies passed away this evening. Devastated.
Ted Chapin, president and chief creative officer of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, praised Menzies-Urich’s efforts to keep the movie fresh for new generations.
“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.’ And of ‘the kids,’ Heather was a cheerful and positive member of the group, always hoping for the next gathering,” Chapin said. “We are all lucky to have known her, and she will happily live on in that beautiful movie. We will miss her.”
Her other feature films credits included “Hawaii,” “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes,” “Piranha,” and “Endangered Species. Her TV credits included “Dragnet,” “Bonanza,” “Marcus Welby M.D.,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” and starring as Jessica 6 in the TV series “Logan’s Run.”
Menzies-Urich’s family moved from Canada to the Los Angeles area when she was a teenager. She was 14 when she landed the part of Louisa in the landmark 20th Century Fox production, directed by Robert Wise, that starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
Menzies-Urich met her future husband while filming a commercial for Libby’s Corned Beef Hash in the mid-1970s. Urich died in 2002 of a rare form of cancer. Menzies-Urich created the Robert Urich Foundation and spent most of her time in recent years to the organization that raises money for cancer research and support for cancer patients.
In addition to her son, Menzies-Urich is survived by two other children, numerous grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Filmography
TV and Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1964-1965 The Farmer's Daughter Nancy Beth 3 episodes
1964 My Three Sons Mona Episode: The Ballad of Lissa Stratmeyer
1965 The Sound of Music Louisa Musical drama film produced and directed by Robert Wise
1966 Hawaii Mercy Bromley Epic drama film directed by George Roy Hill
1967-1969 Dragnet Various roles 5 episodes
1968 How Sweet It Is! Tour Girl Comedy film directed by Jerry Paris
1969 Hail, Hero! Molly Adams Based on the novel of the same name by John Weston
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Extra Comedy film directed by Robert Butler Uncredited
Room 222 Girl in Newspaper Office Episode: Funny Boy
1970 Bonanza Martha Thornton Episode: Thornton's Account
To Rome With Love Andrea Episode: Beautiful People
1971 The Smith Family Janie Bradford Episode: Cindy
1972 Outside In Chris Drama film directed by Allen Baron and G. D. Spradlin
1973 Sssssss Kristina Stoner
The Bob Newhart Show Debbie Borden Episode: Not with My Sister You Don't
1974 Doctor Dan Joyce Morgan TV movie
Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law Sally Waite Episode: The Break In
1975 S.W.A.T. Sheri Episode: Time Bomb
1976 Barnaby Jones Melinda Marks Episode: Fraternity of Thieves
The Keegans Brandy Keegan TV movie
James Dean Jan TV movie
1977 Tail Gunner Joe Logan TV movie
The Six Million Dollar Man Alison Harker Episode: Fires of Hell
1977-1978 Logan's Run Jessica Main Role
1978 Piranha Maggie Mckeown Satirical B horror film directed by Joe Dante
1978–1979 The Love Boat Various roles 2 episodes
1979-1981 Vega$ Victoria Ballinger / Charlotte Henderson / Lisa 3 episodes
1979 Captain America Dr. Wendy Day TV movie
1982 Endangered Species Susan Science fiction film directed and co-written by Alan Rudolph
T.J. Hooker Dr. Kincaid Episode: "A Kind of Rage"
Gavilan Dr. Katherine Maitland Episode: "Pirates"
1987 Spenser: For Hire Miss Westmore Episode: "The Road Back"
1990 American Dreamer Episode: "A Face in the Cloud"
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