Kym Karath

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Kimberly "Kym" Karath (born 4 August 1958 in Los Angeles, California, USA) is an American actress, best known for her role in The Sound of Music.

[edit] Career

Karath started her career at a very young age, appearing in Spencer's Mountain with Henry Fonda and Veronica Cartwright in 1963, and The Thrill of It All with Doris Day. However, Karath is best remembered for her role in The Sound of Music, where she played the "baby of the family," Gretl Von Trapp. After The Sound of Music she primarily appeared in American television, including an appearance in Lost in Space.

Karath graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Humanities, and shortly after that she moved to Paris, France where she studied art history and modelled as well. At the age of 26, she married Phillipe L Equibec; they have a son, Eric.

[edit] Trivia

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Although Karath was born in the States, her family were actually Greek. Her original surname was Karathanasis, but then it was changed to Karath by her father.

Kym got cast in The Sound of Music when she marched to meet Robert Wise the director, with a portfolio under her arm and declared: "I've been in three films already, I'm exactly who you're looking for."
Kym's older sister Francie did audition for the eldest Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, but eventually that role went to Charmian Carr.
Kym remains good friends with the 'Von Trapp' children today, and in 2000 she went back to Salzburg with them, filming a documentary about the making of the film.
Kym nearly drowned in the boat scene in The Sound of Music as she couldn't swim. What was supposed to happen was that Julie Andrews was to catch her immediately after they fell in the water. Unfortunately, Julie went right out the back of the boat, and Kym fell out to the front. Kym was saved thanks to Heather Menzies (Louisa). When an adult, Kym admitted that she still wasn't fond of the water after that experience.
Kym worked with Veronica Cartwright in Spencer's Mountain, and then a year later, she worked with Veronica's younger sister Angela Cartwright in The Sound of Music.
As of 2006; Kym is now resuming her successful acting career.
When on the Ellen Show, Julie Andrews was asked about working with the Von Trapp children. Julie replied, "They were all lovely. However, the youngest one (Karath) was the most difficult one, because she was just a bit tad heavy in those days. Today, she is this amazing gorgeous looking mother."