Original “Sound of Music” star Eleanor Parker died this week at age 91. And now, her “Sound of Music” co-star Julie Andrews is remembering the Hollywood veteran.
“Eleanor was a charming, elegant and beautiful lady,” Julie said in an exclusive statement to Access Hollywood on Tuesday. “It was an honor to know her and a pleasure to work with her. She was beloved by all who knew her and will be remembered as one of the legends of Hollywood.”
Nominated for three Academy Awards during her career, Parker is perhaps most recognized for her role as the menacing baroness – who loses Christopher Plummer’s Captain Von Trapp to Andrews’ Maria in 1965’s “The Sound of Music.”
Earlier this week, following the news of Parker’s death, Plummer also released a statement.
“Eleanor Parker was and is one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever known,” the actor said, according to the Associated Press. “Both as a person and as a beauty. I hardly believe the sad news for I was sure she was enchanted and would live forever.”
The death of Parker comes in a week when “The Sound of Music” was already making headlines, thanks to NBC’s ratings smash – yet largely panned – live version starring Carrie Underwood.
While 18.6 million viewers tuned in to see the live musical, original star Andrews was not one of them.
“Alas, I did not [see it]. I had a speaking engagement and I couldn’t. But my kids did record it,” Andrews – who was on hand at the “Saving Mr. Banks” Hollywood premiere on Monday night told the Associated Press. “I’ll get around to it.”
— Eric Anderson
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