Charmian Carr, best known for her role as Liesl von Trapp in the classic film "The Sound of Music," died on Saturday of complications from a rare form of dementia, her spokesman has confirmed. She was 73.
Carr was a college student when she won the coveted role in the 1965 film, and she soared to stardom with her iconic song "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," according to The Guardian. The actress often appeared at fan events honoring the film, and often participated in sing-a-longs.
"I tell people that they should consider sing-a-long Sound Of Music like going to a therapist," Carr told The Associated Press in 2005, according to The Guardian. "It's just a kind of therapy. They can move around. They can dance and talk back to the screen. They can skip their appointment with the shrink that week."
Carr was born in Chicago in 1942 and played the oldest of the von Trapp sisters in the Oscar-winning movie, which was headlined by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She also appeared in the movie "Evening Primrose" with Anthony Perkins.
Her design company, Charmian Carr Design, boasted music superstar Michael Jackson as one of its clients, noted The Hollywood Reporter. She also released two books related to "The Sound of Music."
"Forever Liesl" in 2000 chronicled her experiences while filming "The Sound of Music" and "Letters to Liesl" in 2001 was prompted by fan mail over the years, according to the celebrity publication.
"The Sound of Music" won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, in 1966. The movie ranks third for all-time best domestic ticket sales after adjusting for ticket inflation, according to Box Office Mojo.
Fans left their condolences for the star on social media.
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