Olivia Hussey Eisley, the British-Argentine actor who shot to fame as a teenager starring as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet” and went on to star in the slasher classic “Black Christmas” and the 1978 “Death on the Nile,” died Friday. She was 73.
Hussey’s death was confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle by filmmaker Marc Huestis, who said she died of cancer, and announced on the actor’s Instagram. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and suffered a recurrence in 2018.
“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,” reads the social media statement. “Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. … Olivia lived a life full of passion, love, and dedication to the arts, spirituality and kindness towards animals.”
After debuting in the West End production of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” starring opposite Vanessa Redgrave, Hussey was scouted to lead Italian director Zeffirelli’s film adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” She was just 15 when she was cast and 16 during the shoot. The film, in which Hussey starred opposite Leonard Whiting as the star-crossed lovers, launched both of its teenage stars onto a global stage. The film was a popular hit for its casting of actors closer to the real ages of the characters, a rarity at the time, and despite brief glimpses of nudity, it garnered a G rating. They were each nominated at the 1969 Golden Globe Awards in their respective gendered categories for most promising newcomer, while Zeffirelli’s film itself landed four Academy Award nominations, including best picture and director.
Though in 2018 she told Variety that Zeffirelli shot the nude scenes tastefully and “It was needed for the film,” Hussey and Whiting sued Paramount in 2022 for sexually exploiting them and distributing nude images. “It wasn’t something I ever agreed to do. I just did it because I felt like I couldn’t say no,” she said at the time of the lawsuit. The suit was dismissed in 2023, partially for statute of limitations reasons. They sued again earlier this year, but that case was also dismissed in October, with the judge finding they had consented to the scenes.
Following leading turns in “All the Right Noises” and “The Summertime Killer,” Hussey was cast to lead Bob Clark’s 1974 horror film “Black Christmas” — widely regarded now as a progenitor to the slasher genre. Hussey starred as Jessica, a sorority sister whose house is haunted by an unidentified, deranged killer. Hussey also appeared in the 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile,” led by Peter Utsinov as Hercule Poirot.
Other notable credits include Norma Bates, the mother of Norman Bates, in the flashback-filled “Psycho IV: The Beginning” and Mary in the miniseries “Jesus of Nazareth,” which reunited her with Zeffirelli.
Hussey also worked as a voice actor in video games such as “Star Wars: Rogue Squadron” and “Star Wars: The Old Republic.”
Hussey is survived by her husband, David Glen Eisley; her children, Alex, Max, and India; and her grandson, Greyson.