CONCORD, N.C. — For the last 60 years, the musical notes of Rodgers and Hammerstein have weaved their way through the lives of millions of people across the globe.

For Dan Truhitte, "The Sound of Music" is more than a musical — the songs have defined his life.

In his early 20s, Truhitte starred in the movie as Rolf Gruber, the love interest of the oldest von Trapp daughter, Liesl.

Sixty years later, he still remembers making the classic film as if it were yesterday.

“That was the most incredible picture, acting, singing, storyline, cinematography,” Truhitte said. “It was state of the art at the time.”

He says his part of Rolf Gruber was difficult to cast for production. In fact, he says he was the last role cast in the film.

“They were having a hard time getting somebody to be believable,” Truhitte said.

It called for someone who could whimsically dance around a gazebo as a love interest to Liesl, only to turn his back on the von Trapp family about an hour later into the film. 

“That was the first scene I shot,” Truhitte said. “That's the first thing they made me do is the last scene in the picture to see if that was going to work. Well, after I did it, they were just, you know, they were just elated.”

After that, the rest of the film was relatively easy for Truhitte, who had been classically trained in dancing and singing since he was 6.

“I have to go back and thank my mom and dad, I really do,” he said. “They gave up everything. They even sold their home and moved into a smaller house to pay for my lessons.”

And even though he may be considered evil by the end of the film, it isn’t lost on Truhitte just how special it was to be a part of the ensemble. 

“They had such genius and talent, and everything came together to make that picture what it is,” Truhitte said. “It's just, you know, I think the Lord had his hand in it.”

He worked alongside Hollywood royalty, including Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews. 

“I couldn't say enough wonderful things about her,” Truhitte said. “You know, we talked a lot about voice technique because we had pretty much had the same type of training and placement. And then she'd come by and watch us work out, you know, in the gazebo scenes with, you know, Liesl, Charmian Carr. And it was just there was such an atmosphere of love and quality people.”

Still, what Truhitte appreciates most from being a part of the film is the story’s longevity across generations.

“It has God, worship, the Lord. It has music. It has, you know, conflict, wonderful acting, wonderful singing, the nuns,” Truhitte said. “It's just got it all. Most people consider it the greatest family musical of all time.”

Truhitte, who continued singing and dancing on stage throughout his career, says he credits much of his success in life to the film.

“My marriage, my family, the kids, all of it has just been wonderful, you know?”

Truhitte is grateful every time he sees the film or hears the songs.

“I have truly been blessed to have that opportunity to be in the greatest musical family musical of all time,” he said. “I'm truly blessed.”

He’s no longer 17 going on 18.

“Sixty years — yeah — 17 going on 82,” he said.

Just like the generations of fans, Truhitte is left with lasting memories he knows will live on through one of the greatest films in cinematic history.

Truhitte, now 81, lives in Concord, North Carolina, with his wife.

They have six children and 13 grandchildren.