Washington, December 28 : Olivia Hussey Eisley, best known for her portrayal of Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, has passed away at the age of 73. She died peacefully at her home on December 27, surrounded by her loved ones. Hussey is survived by her husband of 35 years, David Glen Eisley, and their children Alex, Max, and India, as well as her grandson, Greyson.
Her family released a statement expressing their profound sadness, saying, “Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will forever be cherished in our hearts.”
Born on April 17, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Hussey gained international fame with her iconic role as the star-crossed lover Juliet. Her performance in Romeo and Juliet, which earned her a Golden Globe Award alongside co-star Leonard Whiting, remains one of the most memorable portrayals in film history. The movie, nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, is still considered one of the most beloved adaptations of Shakespeare’s classic play.
Beyond Romeo and Juliet, Hussey had a versatile career in film and television, starring in notable roles in Death on the Nile (1978) alongside Peter Ustinov, Psycho IV: The Beginning (1989) as Norma Bates, and the 1990 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s It. In 1977, she reunited with Zeffirelli to portray Mary, the mother of Jesus, in his television epic Jesus of Nazareth.
While Romeo and Juliet garnered critical acclaim, it also sparked controversy due to its candid depiction of the young lovers, particularly the film’s nudity, which was a subject of significant debate at the time. The film went on to win two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design.
Hussey and Whiting were later involved in a lawsuit related to their experiences on the set, claiming that they were exploited during the filming of the bedroom scenes. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, was dismissed by a judge in May, who ruled that the film’s artistic choices were protected by the First Amendment.
Hussey’s passing marks the end of an era for a film that has had a lasting impact on cinema and continues to be revered by audiences worldwide.