Debbie Turner, who captured hearts as Marta von Trapp in the iconic 1965 film The Sound of Music, has revealed the surprising and successful career path she forged after stepping away from Hollywood, becoming a sought-after florist whose work graced the White House.
A Starring Role and a Hollywood Exit
Cast at just nine years old in 1964, Debbie Turner was one of the seven young actors portraying the von Trapp children in the beloved musical. While the film launched Julie Andrews to superstardom and won five Oscars, Turner's experience in the industry was markedly different. Despite some early TV commercial work, her acting opportunities dried up after a subsequent role in 1979's North Dallas Forty.
In a recent interview, Turner explained that her departure from Hollywood was "not really by choice." She recalled how meetings with executives would fixate on her famous past role, leaving her uncertain if it helped or hindered her. "I just didn't get jobs," she stated simply, leading her to leave the entertainment world behind.
Creating Floral Magic from Palaces to the People's House
Turning her creativity towards a new passion, Turner built a flourishing career as a floral designer. Her prestigious portfolio included designing weddings at historic locations like Salzburg's Leopoldskron Palace, the very setting that inspired the von Trapp family home in the film.
One of her most notable achievements was serving as a decorator for the White House Christmas celebrations in 2017. She described the week-long, physically demanding project as a "really neat experience" and one of the "coolest things" she had ever done. Working with 149 other designers, she helped create the festive magic, though she admitted to a near-miss while decorating the grand 'People's Tree' on scaffolding.
Looking Towards Retirement and a Possible Return
Now 69 and married to husband Rick Larson since 1980, with four children and ten grandchildren, Turner is eyeing retirement from the physically taxing world of wedding floristry. "I'm getting too old for this stuff," she said, looking forward to more "grandkids time."
When asked about a potential return to acting, Turner didn't rule it out entirely but set clear conditions. She expressed that modern Hollywood rarely makes the kind of films she'd want to be in, stating she would only consider a "wholesome" project with a great story and cast. Her journey from a child star in one of cinema's most enduring musicals to a master floral artist remains a unique testament to reinvention beyond the silver screen.
