Remembering actress Heather Menzies-Urich

CAIRO – 26 December 2017: Following her death from cancer at the age of 68, Egypt Today looks at the life and legacy of Canadian-American model/actress Heather Menzies-Urich, best known for starring in "The Sound of Music".

Born on December 3, 1949 in Toronto, Canada, Menzies came from a Scottish family. Her parents promptly moved to the United States when she was 11, and she went on to study at the Falcon Studio’s University of the Arts in Hollywood. Only a few years later, she was casted in 1965’s "The Sound of Music" at the age of 15 as Louisa von Trapp, the third-oldest of the seven Von Trapp children.



Her debut film already proved immensely successful, winning five academy awards, and the inexperienced young actress managed to win her own alongside more widely experienced co-stars such as Christopher Plummer, proving her potential for the future.

In 1966, Menzies would reunite with fellow "The Sound of Music" actress Julie Andrews for the historical epic drama "Hawaii", from Director George Roy Hill, though her role in the movie was considerably minor. As the 70s rolled in, Menzies would pursue a more grown-up, seductive image for her career, posing for Playboy’s cover in 1973 before starring in her most involved role in the short lived yet cult-classic sci-fi series "Logan’s Run" in 1977, based on the film with the same name.

Menzies portrayed Jessica 6, who accompanies Logan (Gregory Harrison), a rebel officer on the run from the government in the 23rd century, having learned the truth behind the paradise they supposedly lived in, where no one can live past the age of 30.

Logan is a Sandman, a futuristic police officer that tracks down runners, those who have escaped from the cities. When Logan has his own doubts about the system and the truth about their lives, he joins Jessica 6 to escape into the wastelands and find ‘the sanctuary’, with more Sandmen hot on their trails.



She also had roles in various B-movie horror films, such as 1973’s "Sssssss" and 1978’s "Piranha". Menzies had found her place in television, appearing in guest roles across a wide variety of programs, such as "The Farmer's Daughter", "Marcus Welb", "M.D., Love", "American Style" and many more. Menzies met her husband, actor Robert Urich, while filming a commercial together. The two of them remained married until Urich’s death of cancer in 2002, for whom she founded the Robert Urich Cancer Foundation, dedicating much of her efforts into researching treatments and supporting patients.

Menzies passed away on Christmas Eve, surrounded by loved ones. She is survived by three children, numerous grand-children and even a great grand-child.