Olivia Hussey – who rose to fame starring in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film Romeo And Juliet – has died at the age of 73 on Friday, December 27.
Her loved ones announced the late star’s passing on her main Instagram page, sharing that she passed away ‘peacefully at home’ just two days after Christmas.
Alongside a throwback image of the actress, the family labeled her a ‘remarkable person’ who had ‘lived a life full of passion.’
Hussey catapulted to fame when she was cast in the adaptation of William Shakespeare’s beloved play when she was just 15-years-old.
She made appearances in over 50 projects in the span of six decades, such as in Black Christmas (1974) and Death On The Nile (1978).
The caption of the post shared by her loved ones read: ‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Olivia Hussey Eisley, who went peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on December 27th.’
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Olivia Hussey – who rose to fame starring in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film Romeo And Juliet – has died at the age of 73 on Friday, December 27
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‘Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.’
‘Born on April 17th, 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Olivia lived a life full of passion, love, and dedication to the arts, spirituality, and kindness towards animals,’ they continued.
Her family added that the late actress ‘leaves behind a loving family – her children, Alex, Max, and India, her husband of 35 years David Glen Eisley, and grandson, Greyson, and a legacy of love that will forever be cherished in our hearts.’
‘As we grieve this immense loss, we also celebrate Olivia’s enduring impact on our lives and the industry.’
Hussey’s loved ones concluded with, ‘We thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and ask for privacy as we mourn the loss of a truly special soul.’
Olivia was born on April 17, 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina – and was notably the daughter of Argentine opera singer Andrés Osuna.
When she was a young girl, Hussey moved to London with her mother – who was from England – and her brother. In the city, she studied drama at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts for a total of five years.
During an interview with The Guardian in 2018, she recalled discovering her interest for acting at a young age. ‘I used to walk around the house with a towel on my head pretending to be a nun.’
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Her loved ones announced the late star’s passing on her main Instagram page, sharing that she passed away ‘peacefully at home’ just two days after Christmas; seen in 2018 in L.A.
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Alongside a throwback image of the actress, the family labeled her a ‘remarkable person’ who had ‘lived a life full of passion’
‘One day I just said, “I don’t know about being a nun. I like pretending to be a nun. Maybe if I was an actress, I could pretend to be a nun and still be me.”‘
At the age of 13, the star continued to pursue her passion and began acting on the stage.
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Romeo and Juliet stars in 1968 film get second verdict in Paramount suit over underage nude scene
In 1966, she appeared in the London production of The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie alongside actress Vanessa Redgrave.
Her role in the stage play prompted her to be scouted for the Paramount movie, Rome And Juliet (1968) – which was directed by Franco Zeffirelli.
While she took on the leading role of Juliet in the film, Leonard Whiting portrayed the character of Romeo in the controversial adaptation.
However, the movie was a box office success at the time of its release in theaters, and garnered around $38.9 million on a budget of $850K.
The film also received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. It ended up winning two for Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography.
Olivia received a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer – Female and was also honored with the David di Donatello Award for her performance.
Romeo and Juliet balcony scene starring Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting
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In 1966, she appeared in the London production of The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie alongside actress Vanessa Redgrave
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While she took on the leading role of Juliet in the film, Leonard Whiting portrayed the character of Romeo in the controversial adaptation
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Back in late 2022, both Hussey and Whiting sued Paramount over underage nude scenes in Romeo And Juliet.
In the lawsuit, the two stars claimed that they had been misled by the director to disrobe for nude scenes that were shown in the final cut of the film.
A judge dismissed the case who found the claims that the movie depicts sexual acts as a ‘gross mischaracterization.’
Director Franco Zeffirelli passed away in 2019, and his son Pippo Zeffirelli responded to the lawsuit last year in January, per Deadline.
‘It is embarrassing to hear that today, 55 years after filming, two elderly actors who owe their notoriety essentially to this film wake up to declare that they have suffered an abuse that has caused them years of anxiety and emotional discomfort.’
Olivia and Leonard filed another lawsuit but a few months earlier in October of this year, the case was dismissed a second time in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
During her past interview with The Guardian in 2018, Hussey reflected on her role in the 1968 film.
‘I loved playing Juliet,’ she expressed. ‘The only part I didn’t like was all the PR. It was exhausting, and I was this wild little thing.’
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‘I loved playing Juliet,’ she expressed. ‘The only part I didn’t like was all the PR. It was exhausting, and I was this wild little thing’; seen in 2007 in L.A.
TCM and Filmstruck host Alicia Malone said of the film’s success, per Variety, ‘I think one of the major reasons this film was such a success is because you have two young actors at the center of it.’
‘Olivia Hussey was 15 and Leonard Whiting was 17. They were very much close to the ages of the actual Romeo and Juliet.’
‘I think it brought the young audiences into the cinema to see Shakespeare when they may not have beforehand. It feels very fresh, very authentic. Also, with Zeffirelli shooting on location [in Italy] adds another layer of authenticity.’
Hussey’s first credited role on her official IMDB page was when she starred in one episode of Drama 61-67 in 1964.
She appeared in other projects after Romeo And Juliet, such as Lost Horizon (1973) and Black Christmas (1974).
In 1977, she reunited with director Franco Zeffirelli for the TV miniseries titled Jesus Of Nazareth.
The star-studded cast also included Robert Powell, Laurence Olivier, Anne Bancroft, Christopher Plummer, James Earl Jones and Ernest Borgnine.
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TCM and Filmstruck host Alicia Malone said of the film’s success, per Variety , ‘I think one of the major reasons this film was such a success is because you have two young actors at the center of it’; seen in 1968
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Hussey’s first credited role on her official IMDB page was she starred in one episode of Drama 61-67 in 1964; seen in 2002
Olivia later took on roles in Death On The Nile (1978), The Pirate (1978), Ivanhoe (1982) and Mother Theresa (2003).
She also stepped into the horror genre by starring in the 1990 miniseries It – an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel.
Hussey’s last credited role was in the 2015 film Social Suicide, where she portrayed Julia’s mother in the movie.
In 2018, the actress released her memoir titled The Girl On The Balcony and told People at the time, ‘It’s been quite a life. I feel grateful that I survived it all.’
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In 2018, the actress released her memoir titled The Girl On The Balcony and told People at the time, ‘It’s been quite a life. I feel grateful that I survived it all’; seen in 1968
She further reflected on Romeo And Juliet and stated, ‘So much happened so fast. It was overnight superstardom and I wasn’t prepared for it.’
Olivia is survived by her husband David Glen Eisley, her three children, Alex, Max, and India, as well as her grandson Greyson.
She tied the knot with David in 1991, and was previously married to Akira Fuse from 1980 until their divorce in 1989.
The late actress was also married to Dean Martin’s son, Dean Paul Martin, from 1971 through 1978.
