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Olivia Hussey, the acclaimed actress who captivated audiences as Juliet in the 1968 adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” passed away on Friday at her residence, surrounded by family members. She was 73 years old.
The news of her passing was shared through a statement on her Instagram account, confirming she died peacefully at home with loved ones by her side.
Best actress to ever play the role of Juliet. RIP Olivia Hussey pic.twitter.com/5jf4vfwgyF
— Super Saiyan OSJ (@Shoryuken91) December 28, 2024
Her journey to stardom began when she caught the attention of director Franco Zeffirelli while performing alongside Vanessa Redgrave in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” At just 15 years old, she was cast in what would become her breakthrough role in the Shakespeare classic.
The film garnered critical acclaim, securing two Academy Awards, while Hussey’s performance earned her a Golden Globe for best new actress. Her co-star in the film was British actor Leonard Whiting, who was 16 at the time.
Years later, both Hussey and Whiting filed legal action against Paramount Pictures, claiming sexual abuse, harassment, and fraud regarding nude scenes in the film. Their lawsuit stated they were initially promised they would wear flesh-colored undergarments for a bedroom scene, but Zeffirelli allegedly changed the arrangement on the day of filming, telling them they would only wear body makeup and promising camera angles would conceal any nudity. They claimed they were unknowingly filmed nude.
A Los Angeles County judge dismissed the case in 2023, ruling that the footage didn’t constitute child pornography and that the statute of limitations had expired.
Following news of her death, Whiting shared a touching tribute: “Rest now my beautiful Juliet no injustices can hurt you now. And the world will remember your beauty inside and out forever.”
i first saw Jesus of Nazareth as a child and Olivia Husseyβs performance as Mary has stayed with me all this time. May she rest in eternal peace with our Lord pic.twitter.com/n3F3WQUOxS
— π₯πππΎπΆ πππΆππ½πΆ (@hereinthecanvas) December 28, 2024
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 17, 1951, Hussey relocated to London during her childhood years and trained at the Italia Conti Academy drama school.
Her acting career extended beyond her iconic role as Juliet. She portrayed Mary, Jesus’s mother, in the television series “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977), and appeared in various other productions including Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile” (1978) and horror films “Black Christmas” and “Psycho IV: The Beginning.”
She leaves behind her husband, David Glen Eisley, three children, and a grandson.
