Olivia Hussey has died at the age of 73. The actress was best-known for portraying one of the two ill-fated protagonists in director Franco Zeffirelli’s legendary 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet, for which she won the Golden Globe (Most Promising Newcomer) thanks to her mesmerizing performance as Juliet Capulet. Hussey also lent her lovely voice to Superman: The Animated Series, and she’s widely beloved by die-hard fans of the horror genre for her work on Black Christmas (more on these appearances later).
Hussey was only 17 years old when Romeo & Juliet began its theatrical run, and controversy courted the young thespian because she appeared topless on-screen during the movie’s infamous love scene with Romeo Montague (Leonard Whiting). The news of Hussey’s death was announced on Instagram and reads as follows:
“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. 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.”
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Hussey married singer, songwriter, and actor David Glen Eisley in 1991, and the social media post regarding Hussey-Eisley’s death continues as follows:
“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.”
Olivia Hussey Reportedly Died of Cancer
In addition to her career-defining role in Romeo and Juliet (1968), Olivia Hussey also headlined one of the best horror films of all time in Black Christmas. Hussey shared the screen with Superman star Margot Kidder, Hollywood legend John Saxon, and future My Big Fat Greek Wedding actress Andrea Martin in the classic slasher flick. And horror enthusiasts also revere Hussey for her work in the television miniseries It, based on Stephen King’s novel, in which she portrayed Audra Denbrough. The actress also played Norma Bates in Psycho IV.
Hussey’s death, which was reportedly the result of cancer, was confirmed by her friend, Marc Huestis, who told the San Francisco Chronicle:
I adored her. She had so much love, and was the most beautiful Juliet ever. On-screen and in real life, she exuded love and life.
Hussey also did a lot of voice work over the course of her illustrious career, including credits in various Star Wars video games, and as the voice of the Dark Knight’s villain and lover, Talia al Ghul, in Batman Beyond and Superman: The Animated Series.
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Hussey and her on-screen lover from Romeo and Juliet, Leonard Whiting, famously filed a lawsuit against Paramount for the bedroom scene in which both were underage actors while filming the Shakespeare adaptation. The original lawsuit was thrown out, but another was brought soon after. Sadly, the second lawsuit was dismissed back on October 21. While the controversy will always be associated with Hussey, the actress’ acting legacy, which spans over 50 years, will continue to endure as new generations discover Hussey’s incomparable work and her biggest hits: Romeo & Juliet and Black Christmas.
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Release Date
April 2, 1968
Runtime
138 Minutes
Cast
Leonard Whiting
, Olivia Hussey
, John McEnery
, Michael York
, Milo O’Shea
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