Olivia Hussey, the actress who gained international acclaim as a teenage Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has died at the age of 73, her family announced on Friday.
“Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her,” her family shared in a statement posted to her Instagram account.
A Breakout Role at 15
Born in Buenos Aires, Hussey was just 15 years old when she starred opposite Leonard Whiting in the Oscar-winning film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Her portrayal earned her a Golden Globe for “New Star of the Year.”
In a 2018 interview with Variety, Hussey reflected on her experience filming the controversial nude scene in the movie, which had sparked debates over the years. “Everyone thinks they were so young they probably didn’t realize what they were doing,” she said. “But we were very aware. We both came from drama schools and took our work very seriously.”
Leonard Whiting, her co-star, recounted their mutual support during the challenging shoot, noting, “Olivia was very, very nervous and frightened as well, but we really were very fond of each other and helped each other get through the whole thing.”
A Lawsuit and Legacy
In 2023, Hussey and Whiting filed a lawsuit against the studio behind the film, alleging child abuse over the nude scene. However, the case was dismissed by a judge later that year.
A Life in Film and Beyond
Hussey, born to an Argentine opera singer and a British legal secretary, moved to London with her family at age seven. She studied at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and was already a working actress before landing the role of Juliet.
Following her breakout performance, Hussey appeared in notable films such as the 1974 slasher Black Christmas and the 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile.
Hussey is survived by her husband, musician David Eisley, their three children, and a grandchild. Her passing marks the end of a career that left a lasting impact on cinema and her fans worldwide.
