Olivia Hussey, best known for her iconic role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has passed away at the age of 73. Her family confirmed the news on Friday in a heartfelt statement shared on her Instagram account.
“Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her,” the statement read.
Born in Buenos Aires to an Argentine opera singer and a British legal secretary, Hussey moved to London at the age of seven. She attended the prestigious Italia Conti drama school, beginning her acting career as a teenager.
At just 15 years old, Hussey captivated audiences with her performance as Juliet, earning a Golden Globe for “New Star of the Year.” Starring alongside Leonard Whiting, the Oscar-winning film brought her international fame.
In 2023, Hussey and Whiting made headlines when they sued the studio over a controversial nude scene in the film, alleging child abuse. The lawsuit, however, was dismissed later that year. In earlier interviews, Hussey had defended director Zeffirelli’s handling of the scene, describing it as tasteful.
Beyond Romeo and Juliet, Hussey built a diverse career, starring in the 1974 cult horror classic Black Christmas and the 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile.
She is survived by her husband, David Eisley, their three children, and a grandchild.
