'Sound of Music' actress Heather Menzies-Urich dies at 68

Actress Heather Menzies-Urich, best known for portraying Louisa von Trapp in the 1965 film “The Sound of Music,” died Sunday night. She was 68.

Menzies-Urich died on Christmas Eve in Frankford, Ontario, surrounded by her children and family members, said her son, actor Ryan Urich. She had recently been diagnosed with brain cancer.

“She was an actress, a ballerina and loved living her life to the fullest,” Urich said.

March 26, 2015: Cast members Heather Menzies-Urich (L), Kym Karath (C), and Debbie Turner pose during the 50th anniversary screening of musical drama film "The Sound of Music" at the opening night gala of the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Menzies-Urich played Louisa von Trapp, the third-oldest of the seven von Trapp children, in the film adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical that starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

“The Sound of Music” snagged five Academy Awards, including best picture.

Born in Toronto, Menzies-Urich’s first screen credit came in the TV series “The Farmer’s Daughter” in 1964. She was 15 when she was cast as the eldest of the seven von Trapp children.

Menzies-Urich’s other film credits include “Hawaii” and “Piranha.” On television, she appeared as a fugitive in “Logan’s Run” and had guest spots on “Dragnet,” ″Bonanza,” ″Marcus Welby, M.D.” and other series.

(AP & REUTERS)