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Romeo and Juliet star Olivia Hussey dies aged 73

Romeo and Juliet star Olivia Hussey dies aged 73

The actor was 15 when she and her co-lead Leonard Whiting starred in the Oscar-winning adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy.
28 Dec, 2024

Olivia Hussey, who starred as a teenage Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, garnering her a Golden Globe, died Friday at age 73, her family announced.

“Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her,” her family said in a statement on her Instagram account.

Buenos Aires-born Hussey was 15 when she and her co-lead Leonard Whiting starred in the Oscar-winning adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tragedy.

In 2023, the two actors filed a lawsuit against the studio alleging child abuse over a controversial nude scene featuring the pair, who were minors at the time. A judge dismissed the lawsuit later that year.

In a 2018 interview with Variety, Hussey said Zeffirelli had shot the nude scene tastefully. “Everyone thinks they were so young they probably didn’t realize what they were doing,” Hussey said.

“But we were very aware. We both came from drama schools and when you work, you take your work very seriously.” Whiting told Variety that the pair had supported each other through the daunting experience.

“Olivia was very, very nervous and frightened as well, but we were very fond of each other and we helped each other get through the whole thing,” he said in 2023.

Born to an Argentine opera singer and a British legal secretary, Hussey moved with her family from Buenos Aires to London when she was seven years old.

She studied at the Italia Conti drama school and was already a working actor as a teenager when she was cast in Zeffirelli’s film.

Hussey, who received a ‘New Star of the Year’ Golden Globe for her performance, would later star in the 1974 slasher film Black Christmas and the 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, among other projects.

She is survived by her husband David Eisley, their three children and a grandchild.

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Dec 28, 2024 01:48pm
What a grave, grim, gruesome, grisly and great tragedy? Inna Lilla Hay Waa Inna Illehey Rajayoon.
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M. Emad Dec 28, 2024 02:16pm
RIP, 'Romeo and Juliet' star Olivia Hussey.
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Taj Ahmad Dec 28, 2024 03:40pm
So sad, RIP.
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Ayesha Sadozai Dec 28, 2024 07:06pm
"O she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear; .." (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Scene 5)
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Fast comment Dec 28, 2024 07:29pm
RIP. She will be long remembered.
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Asad Dec 28, 2024 08:30pm
Olivia Hussey, the beautiful Juliet. Much admired, much loved, left too early. RIP
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P. Nag Dec 28, 2024 09:26pm
All young men fell in love for her post R n J.
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Taimur Dec 28, 2024 09:28pm
Oh Dr. Salaria, you fascinating, fervent, fantastically flamboyant phantom of the forums. Your identity intrigues infinitely!
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Venkataraman Iyer Dec 29, 2024 06:52am
One of the great film people watched number of times in theaters during nineteen seventies..great looking actress..RIP
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Laila Dec 29, 2024 06:56am
It's disturbing how many films of that era got away and continue to get away with no accountability for casting minors in nude or intimate scene (Olivia Hussey, Brooke Shields) and even young adult actresses being forced into improvised explicit scenes (Maria Schneider). I refuse to watch those movies for this reason. I can't believe a 2023 court dismissed Ms Husseys legitimate case. Minors can not consent. Period. It's clear Hollywood big wigs are on control. Parents must not leave their children with others. Be present, guard them and don't sign anything which can harm the child now or later. Teach kids to say NO. No money or fame is worth such career compromises. RIP, Olivia.
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Syed Dec 29, 2024 09:50am
Dr Salaria She died of natural causes. There is nothing grave, grim, gruesome and grisly about her death. All these adjectives are for you to catch attention. Chill.
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Miss Old Karachi Dec 29, 2024 11:53am
She was absolutely Beautiful in R & J. First saw the movie in Karachi with my Father in 1968 when the movie was First released. I think the movie theatre was Bambino.
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Rebekah Roach Dec 30, 2024 11:44am
I was in grade 11 or 12 when our English teacher took my class to a movie theatre downtown to see Romeo and Juliet, and I LOVED it! Both actors were EXCELLENT, and I had such a crush on Leonard Whiting for quite awhile after that.
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