Actress Charmian Carr From 1965 Musical 'The Sound Of Music' Dead At 73

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Charmian Carr, who was best known for playing Liesl from "The Sound of Music" has died, CBS Los Angeles has learned. She was 73.

Carr, born Charmian Farnon in Chicago, Illinois, died Saturday in Woodland Hills of complications from a rare form of dementia, her spokesman Harlan Boll said in a statement.

Ted Chapin, the president of the Rodgers & Hammerstein in New York, also released the following statement on behalf of the entire organization:

"It's always sad when a member of the family passes away - and in the case of the 'family' of the movie 'The Sound Of Music', it's especially sad when it is the first of the group to go. Charmian Carr played the oldest Von Trapp child, and in some ways she maintained that role in real life - guiding, cheering, supporting and generally being there for the rest of her 'sisters' and 'brothers.' She was a great ambassador, and we had so many good times together, either working on 'Sound of Music' related events, or, something I will always remember, arranging for her to be a special guest at New York's Symphony Space's 'Wall to Wall Stephen Sondheim,' reminding that audience that Carmy did, in fact, star opposite Anthony Perkins in the 1967 TV musical 'Evening Primrose.' I will miss her, well, charm and her spirit. We all send condolences to her family."

Carr is survived by her siblings, children, grandchildren, and her niece.