Olivia Hussey Eisley, who was best known for her role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has died at the age of 73, her family have confirmed
Tragedy has struck Hollywood with the passing of Olivia Hussey Eisley, renowned for starring as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s iconic 1968 film “Romeo and Juliet” when she was just a teen. The star died aged 73.
Breaking hearts across the globe, a statement from the British-Argentine actress’s Instagram account announced her death: “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 27.”
Described as an extraordinary soul, the tribute continued: “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.
“Olivia 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. 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.”
Hussey, who was originally from Buenos Aires but grew up in the UK, became an overnight sensation after her portrayal of Juliet. According to Mirror US, she refined her acting skills at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and seamlessly made the leap from theatre to film, leaving a lasting impression on Hollywood, reports the Mirror.
The actress caught the eye of controversy at a young age during the filming of Romeo and Juliet, due to some quite explicit scenes. In her 2018 tell-all book, she mused on how the folks behind the camera handled it “tastefully,” revealing: “We shot it at the end of the film. So by that time … we’ve become one big family. It wasn’t that big of a deal. And Leonard wasn’t shy at all! In the middle of shooting I just completely forgot I didn’t have clothes on.”
Nonetheless, times changed and so did her outlook.
Fast forward to 2022, she and Leonard Whiting took the bold step of hitting Paramount Pictures with an eye-watering $500 million legal claim, pointing fingers at sexual exploitation, harassment, and being hoodwinked while arguing they suffered endured emotional trauma and mental distress. The courts initially swatted their case away partly becasue of a staute of limitations.
Undeterred, they sued again in 2024 only for a judge to quash it come October, ruling they were all in when filming those scenes. Post-lawsuits, Olivia celebrated success in cult classic horrors like Black Christmas and murder mystery Death on the Nile.