On December 27, 2024, Argentine-British actress Olivia Hussey passed away at her residence. Hussey, who was 73, was best known for her role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet.” This performance not only reshaped Shakespeare for a new generation but also earned her a Golden Globe.
The announcement of her death was made through a statement on her Instagram account, stating that she passed away “peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones.” Her family reported that her death was due to a recurrence of breast cancer.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 17, 1951, Hussey relocated to London with her mother and brother during her childhood. Despite significant financial struggles, she managed to establish herself in the entertainment industry. She displayed her acting prowess at an early age while studying at the Italia Conti Academy drama school and was performing in local theater productions by age 13.
It was during her performance with Vanessa Redgrave in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” at the age of 15 that Hussey was noticed by director Franco Zeffirelli. He was quick to identify her as the ideal Juliet for his film. The film, shot over nine months in Italy with a budget of $850,000, grossed $38.9 million worldwide and bagged two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design.
Hussey’s role in “Romeo and Juliet” marked a significant turning point in her life, catapulting her from a young stage actress to an international star. She recounted this transformative experience in her 2018 memoir “The Girl on the Balcony.” The role brought her numerous career highlights and personal challenges that significantly influenced her path in the entertainment industry.
Throughout the 1970s, Hussey’s career flourished as she took on various challenging roles, demonstrating her acting versatility. Her role as Mary in Franco Zeffirelli’s “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977) attracted an estimated 380 million viewers worldwide. She also starred in “Death on the Nile” (1978) and the horror film “Black Christmas” (1974), which subsequently became a cult classic.
In 2023, Hussey and her “Romeo and Juliet” co-star Leonard Whiting filed a $500 million lawsuit against Paramount Pictures, accusing the company of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and fraud over nude scenes in the film. They alleged that they were initially told they would wear flesh-colored undergarments during a bedroom scene. However, on the day of the shooting, Zeffirelli informed them they would only wear body makeup, and the camera would avoid showing nudity. According to the suit, this experience led to years of emotional trauma. Hussey later disclosed her struggles with agoraphobia and bulimia.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Alison Mackenzie dismissed the case in May 2023. The judge ruled that the First Amendment protected the film and that the statute of limitations had expired. She pointed out that both actors had defended the artistic merit of the film in numerous interviews over the years. Despite this controversy, Hussey’s career continued to progress. She ventured into voice acting and had notable roles in several animated features and video games. In the 1990s, she played Mother Teresa in a biographical film shot in Sri Lanka and Italy, which she considered one of her most challenging roles. She also appeared in “Psycho IV: The Beginning” (1990) and various independent films throughout the 2000s.
In her personal life, Hussey was married three times: first to Dean Paul Martin (the son of Dean Martin) in 1971, then to Japanese singer Akira Fuse in 1980, and lastly to David Glen Eisley in 1991. She had three children: Alexander Martin, Max Fuse, and India Eisley, who also pursued an acting career.
She is survived by her husband, David Glen Eisley, her three children, and a grandchild. At the time of her death, Hussey was working on her second memoir and was actively involved in several charitable endeavors.
