As a devoted admirer and follower, I’m sharing an update about the American actor who portrayed Liesl’s boyfriend, Rolfe Gruber, in the timeless family film The Sound of Music. He expressed his gratitude for being alive following two unexpected heart attacks.
Currently aged 81, Daniel Truhitte played the role of the Hitler Youth member who danced with Liesl at the gazebo to the song “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” in the 1965 movie featuring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. This film is now six decades old.
From his residence in North Carolina, Daniel, currently married for the third time with six children and thirteen grandchildren, shares his experiences: “On December 25th, 2019, I suffered my first heart attack, and I experienced another one at a funeral in June of 2022.”
In the second instance, they were unable to restart my heart. Afterward, they managed to restart it briefly but it stopped functioning once more.
At one point, it seemed unlikely that I would survive, but miraculously, things took a turn for the better. I found myself in the ICU for five days, which I can hardly recall. The doctors didn’t anticipate my survival, yet here I am and I’m doing well now.
I was on the brink of death, but somehow things began to improve. I don’t remember much from the five days I spent in the ICU. The medical team hadn’t expected me to pull through, yet here I am, in good health.
Daniel went on to star in stage shows in Las Vegas, but no other movies…until now.
He appears in two movies, Stand In The Gap and One By One, where Heather Ricks takes the lead roles. These films are notable as they form part of the documentary titled “A Life Of Music: The Daniel Truhitte Story,” now streaming on Amazon Prime.
In his own words, Daniel shared that one motivation behind creating this documentary was to ensure it was completed during his lifetime on Earth.
I’m absolutely delighted by it! From deep within me, I’ve yearned for this for quite some time. It’s not only about the general public, but also for my kids and grandkids.
Daniel also finds it fulfilling when his contributions are acknowledged, as he had often been left out of gatherings featuring the cast who played the Von Trapp children in The Sound of Music for a long time.
Charmian Carr who played Liesl died in 2016, and Heather Menzies who played Louisa died in 2017.
The actors Nicholas Hammond (as Friedrich), Duane Chase (Kurt), Angela Cartwright (Brigitta), Debbie Turner (Marta), and Kym Karath (Gretl) recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of a movie that was filmed in Austria, where it was set. However, Daniel was not asked to participate in these celebrations once more.
Many individuals have appreciated me over the years, but due to seldom attending events alongside my seven children, my recognition has remained limited.
I have an interesting tale to share about Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, and the various locations I’ve visited. It was a delight working with the child actors during the filming process.
For about the past six decades, they’ve created their unique brand of documentaries, and I haven’t been involved in most of them throughout the years because they simply didn’t involve me. I haven’t received any contact from them.
Daniel wonders aloud, “Perhaps it wasn’t my actions that led to Rolfe’s betrayal of the Von Trapps during the dramatic finale. Yet, I sometimes find myself trying to shift the blame onto the fact that I was portraying a Nazi character. After all, I am an actor.
In this movie, only Julie Andrews and I are the surviving principal actors, along with any other individuals such as producers, directors, and Rodgers & Hammerstein. Everyone else has moved on, leaving just Julie Andrews and me behind. This might pique people’s curiosity that I am still alive.
Daniel was born in Sacramento, California, on September 10th, 1943, right in the midst of World War II. He often refers to himself as a “child born during wartime,” or simply a “war-era kid.
When Daniel turned six, he started attending dance classes alongside his sister. His voice training eventually made him a boy soprano, a talent that secured him scholarships and ultimately brought him to Los Angeles.
He’d had plenty of stage experience by the time he auditioned for The Sound Of Music.
I was instructed to head over to 20th Century Fox and stand in a small queue, but when I arrived, I found that the line was filled with at least 500 men with blonde hair. Every 10 seconds, they would be called up to shoot footage for a scene featuring Richard Rodgers.
Initially, there was no response from them as they seemed to prefer a naturally blonde actor for the role of Rolfe. However, when it came to filming, despite numerous attempts, they struggled to cast someone capable of singing, dancing, and convincingly portraying a Nazi character. That’s where I stepped in, ready to prove my versatility and dedication to the part.
The second occasion I danced was effortless since we were encouraged to appear as children enjoying themselves while dancing. Additionally, I had another opportunity to perform “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” in front of an audience that included director Bob Wise, and it brought joy to everyone present.
Therefore, among all contenders, including the renowned Jon Voight who had portrayed Rolfe on stage, Daniel was ultimately selected as the final cast member for the film.
As instructed, I made my way to the wardrobe department and had my hair dyed a striking blonde, aiming for an appearance reminiscent of the Arian Hitler Youth. My inaugural day found me escorted to the daily screenings in a quaint theater, where I was introduced to the talented cast.
In the seat behind Julie Andrews, I prepared myself and rehearsed what I intended to say to her. The moment the recording ended, she swiveled around and said, “You must be Daniel Truhitte. It’s a delight to make your acquaintance. Well done on landing the role of Rolfe.
My mouth dropped open in disbelief as she spoke to me; a remarkable individual who is simply delightful beyond words. Her kindness was palpable, and our time spent together was truly enjoyable.
In the film, the sequences featuring Rolf – one at the gazebo and another in the convent crypt – were actually shot in reverse of their on-screen sequence.
As the person who landed the role, it was that pivotal final scene, along with being my very first take, that ultimately clinched it for me. The climactic moment under the gazebo with Liesl, a scene many viewers consider the heart of the entire film, was the last sequence I filmed.
Long ago, Daniel used to perform on Sound of Music-themed tour bus trips across Austria and Germany, including stops at the gazebo that served as the backdrop for Rolf and Liesl’s song, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, in the movie – though I wonder if that was truly the case.
He shares that while he would generally agree, the filming for the gazebo scene wasn’t in Austria at all; it was actually done in Hollywood, complete with water sprayers and rain machines. The singing was also performed to playbacks.
Initially, Charmian (played by Carr as Liesl) accidentally fell into the water and managed to pierce one of the glass panes with her foot. Consequently, her leg was wrapped in a bandage, which was noticeable if one looked closely at the scene. However, with advancements in technology, it’s now difficult to discern that detail.
“The food in Austria was outstanding, particularly the delectable pastries that were a highlight. Unfortunately, everyone seemed to gain some pounds as a result. Upon my return to Hollywood before filming the last gazebo sequences, I was advised, ‘Dan, you need to shed a few pounds!’
Among several revelations that seemingly shatter the magic of the story, it is unfortunate to note that Daniel admitted he and Charmian did not share a romantic relationship in reality, and at that time, they had already surpassed their teenage years.
When I was 20 years old, she was 22. I found her strikingly attractive and our interactions on stage were pleasant, yet we resided in separate hotels and didn’t spend much time together outside of work. As a result, our relationship never blossomed into something romantic, and we both had other partners. Although Charmian is no longer with us, I often think about her fondly and feel a sense of longing.
Actually, it was Gabriele, who acted as Charmian’s substitute, who eventually became Daniel’s girlfriend and his first wife in 1966. Interestingly, her parents were named Rolf and Liesl, and Daniel and Gabriele gave two of their three sons the name Rolf, one as a first name and the other as a middle name.
In the moment when Daniel recounts Rolfe tossing stones at a window to get Liesl’s notice, he shares: ‘The first stone I threw shattered the glass. The second time, a maid appeared and inquired about the commotion! We couldn’t help but laugh, yet that incident prolonged things beyond what was planned.’
Daniel is delighted Rolfe turns traitor at the end of The Sound Of Music.
In the original Broadway production, Rolfe didn’t bring in the Von Trapp family. Instead, he said something like “They aren’t here,” which felt a bit underwhelming. Later on, they adjusted his role and had me sound the whistle to reveal that they weren’t there, making me the fall guy!
I wished Rolfe had flown away with Liesl, but I didn’t have any control over it. However, his role in the movie turned out to be more significant. After finishing that scene, Christopher Plummer complimented me saying ‘You did wonderfully well, excellent!’
In every interview about that specific scene, people enquire about the German Luger I used, but to clarify, I no longer possess it. If I had simply tucked it away in my pocket during filming, it would have solved the confusion. The only keepsake I retain is a copy of the script and a letter from Rogers & Hammerstein’s production company, praising me for contributing to the movie.
Daniel is tight-lipped about the exact amount he received for his substantial contribution, yet he expresses: “At one point, I felt adequately compensated, and it’s enjoyable to still receive periodic checks from something I did six decades ago. However, when considering the movie’s magnitude, it wasn’t a significant sum. It’s still in the thousands, but you’d expect figures in the hundreds of thousands when contemplating what possibly others might earn.
In contrast to many young actors who often eagerly seek more roles in the film industry, especially in Hollywood, Daniel was not one to actively court further opportunities.
Following my role in ‘The Sound of Music’, instead of attending its premiere, I joined my friends from home in the Marine Corps. It wasn’t until boot camp that I got to see the movie for the first time, at a theater in New York, all dressed up in uniform. My fellow Marines were thrilled to see me in this film and I was overjoyed with how everything turned out. Afterward, they nicknamed me ‘Private Hollywood’ by my drill instructors!
Despite staying in the U.S. without being deployed to war, Daniel expresses, “I served for six months actively and an additional five years in reserve duty. Whenever people question my affinity towards Nazis, I jokingly remark, ‘The harshest penalty I could have faced was joining the Marine Corps!’
After leaving the Marines, Daniel embarked on a tour with renowned dancer Juliet Prowse (who was famously linked to Frank Sinatra and co-starred with Elvis Presley in GI Blues). In 1977, he took on the role of Gene Kelly in the MGM Grand’s Las Vegas production of Hallelujah Hollywood.
Performing the same show repeatedly can become monotonous at times, but it’s worth it because I got to spend time with The Rat Pack in Las Vegas, and my favorite among them was Sammy Davis Jr.
Since 1982, I, Daniel, have called North Carolina home, and since 1992, I’ve shared my life with Tarealia, my beloved third wife, who I consider the mother of my bonus daughters, as I care for them as if they were my own.
We reside in an attractive two-story home situated on fourteen sprawling acres. The classroom where I instruct is specifically designed to resemble a charming gazebo, complete with a large, elegant white grand piano. In the front, there’s a stunning swimming pool.
For quite some time now, Daniel has dedicated himself to instructing the art of ‘voice’. Over the years, much of his own stage experience has been centered around productions based on The Sound of Music. At the age of 50, he even took part in a local performance, portraying Captain Von Trapp.
He expresses that his life has been truly remarkable, intertwined with The Sound of Music. It’s been a consistent source of joy and a continuous blessing. We sensed at the time of its creation that we had something extraordinary, yet we didn’t anticipate its enduring power. In the United States, it is played three times a year. People adore it not just here, but even in China.
I’ve heard countless tales about how this movie has impacted people’s lives in profound ways. Among them, this particular story stands out as truly extraordinary. I receive numerous messages every year from fans across the globe, and a significant number of these are from the UK.
What is one piece of advice or item that people carry with them throughout their lives? If you were to make just one film, nothing could surpass The Sound of Music. A recent online photo of Rolfe and Liesl garnered over 2 million views – this demonstrates the enduring popularity of this movie.
It’s hard not to ponder whether Daniel might think he could have achieved more, given that he was the main focus of just one movie, regardless of its quality.
As a lifestyle aficionado, I firmly believe that at this stage in my journey, experiences beyond the silver screen hold greater significance. My life path has been carefully crafted, and I find immense satisfaction in where it has led me thus far.
Daniel later notes a mixed feeling about his career, expressing both contentment and dissatisfaction. Specifically, he is pleased to have played the juvenile lead in what he considers the best movie ever made. Yet, he also feels far from content with other aspects of his career.
On the contrary, I realize now that I might’ve benefited from investing more time in social interactions with my fellow actors, particularly the key figures. This could have potentially smoothed things over for me in securing future roles.
At that point in time, perhaps joining the Marines wasn’t the most optimal career choice for me. Yet, I had no aspirations of becoming a major Hollywood star. I didn’t actively pursue it, and instead, I chose not to stay in LA. In hindsight, maybe I should have persevered in LA, exerting more effort to penetrate the industry further.
In my twilight years, approaching the ripe age of 82, I find myself still able to sing and perform. I wouldn’t hesitate to don tap shoes if need be. I consider myself incredibly fortunate, living in the golden age of my life, to be where I am with the opportunities I have at hand.
‘I’m incredibly thankful that I stumbled upon this documentary at this particular moment. It’s been an absolute privilege to be involved in such an exceptional film; one that I’ve never grown weary of watching. I feel a deep sense of pride for my role, and I know that my contribution will always remain a part of it.’
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2025-07-30 16:35