Angela Cartwright
Angela Cartwright, born 9 September 1952, is a British actress turned artist, best known for roles in The Sound of Music and Lost in Space. This article traces her life, career, creative transitions, notable works, and legacy.
Introduction
Angela Margaret Cartwright (born 9 September 1952) is a British-born actress, photographer, author, and visual artist. Though she spent most of her life in the United States, her early roles in classic film and television—especially as Brigitta von Trapp in The Sound of Music and Penny Robinson in Lost in Space—have made her a beloved figure in entertainment history. Over the decades, she has transitioned from screen performer to creative artist, weaving together her passions for storytelling, visual art, and memory.
In this article, we explore her early life, acting career, creative rebirths, and the personal and artistic legacy she continues to build.
Early Life and Family
Angela Cartwright was born on 9 September 1952 in Altrincham, Cheshire, England.
Her older sister is the actress Veronica Cartwright, known for films like Alien and The Witches of Eastwick. The two sisters both entered acting early in life, though Veronica’s career remained largely in film and character roles, while Angela’s path spanned film, television, and later visual arts.
Not much is publicly known about her parents in detail (e.g. their names or occupations), but it is evident her upbringing supported early exposure to the entertainment world, particularly once settled in the U.S.
Youth and Early Beginnings
By age 3, Angela Cartwright had already made her first film appearance—in Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)—though uncredited. Something of Value (1957), alongside Rock Hudson and Sidney Poitier.
When she was about 4 or 5, she began modeling and appearing in advertisements and magazines. Linda Williams on The Danny Thomas Show (also known as Make Room for Daddy) from 1957 to 1964—a role she held through much of her childhood.
Her early success on television positioned her both as an experienced child performer and a recognizable face in American households.
Acting Career & Major Roles
The Sound of Music (1965)
One of her landmark roles came in 1965 when she was cast as Brigitta von Trapp in the film The Sound of Music.
Because Sound of Music remains so culturally significant, her role as one of the von Trapp children is often cited as one of her signature credits.
Lost in Space (1965–1968)
That same year (1965), Angela began appearing in the TV science fiction series Lost in Space, playing Penny Robinson, the middle daughter of the Robinson space-travelling family.
Lost in Space appealed to audiences for its adventurous premise and imaginative storytelling, and Angela’s participation added youthful energy and a familial dimension to the show.
Later Film and Television
After Lost in Space, Cartwright continued acting, though her screen presence diminished gradually:
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In 1979, she appeared in Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, playing Theresa Mazzetti, under the production of Lost in Space’s producer Irwin Allen.
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She made guest appearances on television series such as My Three Sons, Adam-12, Room 222, The Love Boat, Airwolf, and High School U.S.A.
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In 1998, she made a cameo in the Lost in Space film adaptation (as Reporter #2).
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More recently, she appeared in the 2018 Netflix Lost in Space reboot in a small role.
Over time, she began shifting focus from acting to her interests in photography, visual art, writing, and curatorial work.
Creative Reinvention: Photography, Art & Writing
As her acting roles became less frequent, Angela Cartwright developed a stronger presence as a visual artist and author. Her official biography emphasizes multiple roles beyond acting: photographer, author, designer, curator, instructor, and more.
Some key creative endeavors include:
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Photography and visual art: She has maintained a long interest in photography (dating back decades), producing nature landscapes, black-and-white works, mixed-media art, and more.
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Books and publications: Among her publications are In This House: A Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques (2007), Mixed Emulsions: Altered Art Techniques for Photographic Imagery (2007), In This Garden: Exploration in Mixed-Media Visual Narrative (2009), and others.
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She has collaborated with Bill Mumy (her Lost in Space co-star) on projects like Lost (and Found) in Space—a memoir/photographic project revisiting the show’s legacy.
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She also curated and wrote about film and television archives, such as Styling the Stars: Lost Treasures from the Twentieth Century Fox Archive.
This creative shift underscores her desire to remain expressive and engaged with memory, visual storytelling, and legacy.
Personal Life
Angela Cartwright married Steve Gullion in 1976.
She resides in the Los Angeles area, where her art studio is located (Studio City).
Her faith is also known to be Catholic; in interviews and her biography she mentions attending Mass and spiritual grounding.
Though less active in mainstream acting today, she has maintained engagement with fan communities, conventions, interviews about Lost in Space and Sound of Music, and promotion of archival and art work.
Legacy & Influence
Angela Cartwright’s legacy is multifaceted:
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Cultural memory: Her roles in The Sound of Music and Lost in Space continue to be revisited by new generations, keeping her work alive in pop culture.
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Cross-medium creativity: Her pivot from acting to photography and mixed-media art shows adaptability and creative integrity—she did not remain solely defined by her early fame.
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Inspiration for child actors: Her ability to make a graceful transition from child stardom to adult life (with new creative outlets) can serve as a model for many who begin their careers early.
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Archival contributions: Through her writing and curation of archives (e.g. Styling the Stars), she helps preserve the visual and production history of mid-20th century Hollywood.
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Community and fandom: She maintains a connection with fans of Lost in Space especially, participating in retrospectives, interviews, and events that keep the show’s spirit alive.
Her life story demonstrates that fame and early success need not confine one’s identity; one can continuously reshape creative identity and pursue new passions.
Selected Filmography & Credits
Below is a selection of her notable screen credits:
| Year | Title / Series | Role | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Somebody Up There Likes Me | Audrey (age 3) | Uncredited debut | 1957 | Something of Value | Caroline (uncredited) | Early film role | 1957–1964 | The Danny Thomas Show | Linda Williams | Series regular for 7 seasons | 1965 | The Sound of Music | Brigitta von Trapp | Major film role | 1965–1968 | Lost in Space | Penny Robinson | Sci-fi television role | 1979 | Beyond the Poseidon Adventure | Theresa Mazzetti | Return to film | 1998 | Lost in Space (film) | Reporter #2 | Cameo return | 2018 | Lost in Space (Netflix reboot) | Sheila Harris | Small guest role
She also contributed to a number of television guest roles in series such as My Three Sons, The Love Boat, Adam-12, Room 222, and Airwolf. Reflections & Lessons from Her Journey
ConclusionAngela Cartwright’s life combines early stardom, enduring cultural roles, and a later-life transformation into a creator of visual memory. Born in England in 1952, she moved to the U.S. as a young child and rose to prominence in The Sound of Music and Lost in Space. Over time, she stepped back from acting to embrace photography, mixed-media art, writing, and archival pursuits. Her legacy is not simply as a child actress but as a continuing creative spirit—someone who honors her past work while building new expressions of art and memory. If you like, I can also prepare a timeline of her creative work or a collection of interviews and quotes from Angela Cartwright. |