Olivia Hussey, the actress who gained worldwide fame for her portrayal of Juliet in the 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has passed away at the age of 73. The heartbreaking news was announced on social media, revealing Hussey died surrounded by loved ones last Friday. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1951, Hussey relocated to London at the age of seven, where she attended the prestigious Italia Conti Academy drama school.
At just 15 years old, she was cast as Juliet by director Franco Zeffirelli, who was in search of an actress that could convincingly embody the iconic role. Alongside 16-year-old Leonard Whiting as Romeo, their performance in Romeo and Juliet garnered critical acclaim, leading to nominations for both Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards.
Hussey earned a Golden Globe for Best New Star for her performance; however, she faced challenges later in her career, including a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures for sexual abuse regarding the film's nude scenes. This lawsuit, which she filed alongside Whiting, claimed that they were misled about the requirements of their roles and sought over $500 million in damages. The case was eventually dismissed by a judge who ruled the scene was not "sufficiently sexually suggestive."
In addition to her impactful role as Juliet, Hussey also portrayed the Virgin Mary in Zeffirelli's 1977 miniseries, Jesus of Nazareth, and later starred in films such as Death on the Nile (1978) and the slasher classic Black Christmas (1974). As she evolved in her career, she lent her voice to various video games and made a return to the screen alongside Whiting in Social Suicide (2015).
The statement released by her family emphasized the immense loss felt, stating, "As we grieve this immense loss, we also celebrate Olivia's enduring impact on our lives and the industry." Hussey's legacy as a talented actress continues to resonate, reminding many of her remarkable contributions to film and television.
