Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. (Photograph by Getty)
Olivia Hussey Eisley, finest identified for enjoying Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has died. She was 73.
The information was introduced by way of her official Instagram account by way of a submit shared on Friday, December 27.
“It’s with profound unhappiness that we announce the passing of Olivia Hussey Eisley, who went peacefully at dwelling surrounded by her family members on December twenty seventh,” the submit learn. “Olivia was a exceptional individual whose heat, knowledge, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.”
The tribute went on to recollect Hussey Eisley as having “lived a life stuffed with ardour, love, and dedication to the humanities, spirituality, and kindness in direction of animals.”
The lead actors of the 1968 movie adaptation of Romeo and Juliet have discovered themselves in a authorized battle with Paramount Photos over the film’s nude scene. Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, who starred as Romeo and Juliet, respectively, have accused the studio of sexual abuse and harassment in two separate lawsuits. Within the preliminary […]
“Olivia leaves behind a loving household— her youngsters, Alex, Max, and India, her husband of 35 years David Glen Eisley, and grandson, Greyson, and a legacy of affection that can eternally be cherished in our hearts,” the submit continued. “As we grieve this immense loss, we additionally rejoice Olivia’s enduring influence on our lives and the business.
The caption concluded, “We thanks on your ideas and prayers throughout this troublesome time and ask for privateness as we mourn the lack of a really particular soul.”
The Argentina-born actress was simply 15 when she starred in Romeo and Juliet alongside Leonard Whiting as Romeo.
The critically acclaimed movie was a box-office success upon its 1968 launch and went on to attain 4 Oscar nominations and two wins for Finest Costume and Finest Cinematography in 1969.
In August 2018, Hussey Eisley spoke to The Guardian about her position within the film in honor of its fiftieth anniversary. “I cherished taking part in Juliet,” she stated on the time. “The one half I didn’t like was all of the PR. It was exhausting, and I used to be this wild little factor.”
The movie wasn’t with out controversy, nonetheless. Hussey Einsley and Whiting beforehand discovered themselves in a legal battle with Paramount Photos over the film’s nude scene.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes gained over audiences with Romeo + Juliet, their trendy adaptation of William Shakespeare’s most well-known play. The Titanic star and the Homeland alum performed the titular doomed couple within the 1996 movie, which additionally starred John Leguizamo (Tybalt), Harold Perrineau (Mercutio), Sprint Mihok (Benvolio) and Paul Rudd (Dave Paris). Baz […]
Within the preliminary criticism, filed in December 2022, the costars claimed they have been advised by the movie’s late director, Zeffirelli, that the film wouldn’t function nudity and that they might put on flesh-colored undergarments for a bed room scene, based on the Related Press.
A decide dismissed the case in Could 2023. Whiting and Hussey fought again by submitting a second lawsuit in opposition to Paramount in February 2024, claiming the studio digitally redistributed the movie with out their permission.
Different memorable roles within the actress’ profession included taking part in Mary within the 1977 miniseries Jesus of Nazareth in addition to Rosalie Otterbourne in Agatha Christie’s Demise on the Nile, which was directed by John Guillermin and launched in 1978.
