The main cast of the classic 1965 film The Sound of Music includes Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp, supported by a memorable ensemble as the von Trapp family and others. Below is a quick, easy- to-skim breakdown.

Main leads

  • Julie Andrews as Maria (the governess who brings music and warmth to the von Trapp family).
  • Christopher Plummer as Captain Georg von Trapp (strict naval captain and father of the children; his singing was dubbed by Bill Lee).

Key adult characters

  • Eleanor Parker as Baroness Elsa von Schraeder (the sophisticated socialite initially courting the Captain).
  • Richard Haydn as Max Detweiler (the charming music promoter and family friend).
  • Peggy Wood as Mother Abbess (head of the abbey who sings “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”).

The von Trapp children

  • Charmian Carr as Liesl von Trapp (the eldest, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”).
  • Nicholas Hammond as Friedrich von Trapp.
  • Heather Menzies as Louisa von Trapp.
  • Duane Chase as Kurt von Trapp.
  • Angela Cartwright as Brigitta von Trapp.
  • Debbie Turner as Marta von Trapp.
  • Kym Karath as Gretl von Trapp (the youngest).

Other notable roles

  • Daniel Truhitte as Rolf Gruber (Liesl’s young suitor and telegram delivery boy, later aligned with the Nazis).
  • Various nuns, party guests, and townspeople are played by a large supporting ensemble, including an uncredited cameo by the real Maria von Trapp as an extra during the “I Have Confidence” sequence.

TL;DR: The cast of The Sound of Music is led by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, with Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, and the seven von Trapp children forming one of cinema’s most iconic musical ensembles.