Debbie Turner Didn’t Leave Hollywood by Choice After ‘The Sound of Music’ (Exclusive)

The Sound of Music first hit theaters six decades ago, sweeping audiences away with unforgettable songs and the heartwarming story of the von Trapp family. 

Featuring iconic performances by stars like Julie Andrews and the late Christopher Plummer, the ’60s film quickly became a timeless classic.

Among the talented cast that brought the von Trapp family to life was Debbie Turner, who played the lovable Marta. Unlike some of her fellow child actors in The Sound of Music, Turner wasn’t an established star when she landed the role of the second-youngest von Trapp sister at just 7 years old.

“Angela [Cartwright] was already an established actress beforehand. I wasn’t. I was a TV commercial actress,” Turner, 69, tells PEOPLE. Cartwright, who made her on-screen debut at age 3 in Somebody Up There Likes Me, notably portrayed Turner’s older sister in the film, Brigitta.

The other five von Trapp children were played by Charmian Carr (Liesl), Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich), Heather Menzies-Urich (Louisa), Duane Chase (Kurt) and Kym Karath (Gretl).

However, after the film’s success, Turner found that Hollywood didn’t exactly welcome her with open arms, admitting that her unexpected departure from the business was “not really by choice.”

“I’d go in interviews and they’d go, ‘Oh, so you were in The Sound of Music?’” she recalls. “And then it’s like, I don’t know if I got put on a pedestal or I got thrown out the side – I don’t know.”

Acting opportunities dried up, not because she chose to leave, but simply because, as she put it, “I just didn’t get jobs.”

As a result, The Sound of Music was Turner’s only major acting credit. 

Over the years, Turner leaned into other passions, becoming more of an athlete and artist, telling PEOPLE, “In my spare time, I did fun stuff.”

Though now semiretired, Turner used to run a design company called Debbie Turner Originals. 

“I was a floral designer for many years. I’ve designed weddings…I have been a decorator for the White House for Christmas,” she reveals, calling it a “neat experience.”

But, after 35 years as a wedding florist, Turner says she’s now “kind of retired.” With her husband recently stepping away from work as well, she figured, “Well, I don’t need to keep doing this.” 

While she still loves floral design, she admits that she is “getting too old for this stuff,” noting that the job was physically demanding.

These days, she’s happily shifting her focus.

“Now it’s grandkids time!” she says.

Turner has been married to Rick Larson since 1989, and together they’ve raised four children and now enjoy life as proud grandparents to 10 grandchildren.

When asked if she’d ever consider stepping back in front of the camera, Turner says she’s open to the idea – but it all depends on the opportunity. 

“Probably one of the reasons I’m not in Hollywood movies anymore is they don’t make movies that I’d want to ever be in,” she admits. “So it would have to have certain qualities about it that would fit with where I’m at.”

“If it’s wholesome and it’s a great story. Great actors, something like that. Yeah, look, I’d consider it,” she adds.

For the first time ever, The Sound of Music is now available worldwide in 4K Ultra HD Digital & Blu-ray disc. Featuring remastered sound, restored visuals and bonus content.