Original Black Christmas star Olivia Hussey has died

She is best known to horror fans for her role as the legendary proto-Finale Girl Jess Bradford in the late Bob Clark’s slasher classic Black Christmas, Olivia Hussey died at the age of 73.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Olivia Hussey Eisley, who passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on December 27th,” read a statement posted on the actress’ official Instagram page this weekend. “Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom and pure kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew her.”

The statement continued: “Olivia was born on April 17, 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and lived a life full of passion, love and devotion to the arts, spirituality and kindness to animals.
Olivia leaves behind a loving family – her children Alex, Max and India, her husband of 35 years David Glen Eisley and her grandson Greyson, and a legacy of love that will remain in our hearts forever. As we mourn this immense loss, we also celebrate Olivia’s enduring impact on our lives and the industry.”

Olivia Hussey first rose to fame after playing Julia in the 1968 adaptation of Julia Romeo and Julietwhich earned her a Golden Globe for “Most Promising Newcomer.” Just a few years later, Hussey teamed up with Bob Clark for the original Black Christmasand brings Jess Bradford, one of the most popular final girls of the slasher genre, to the screen.

As Meagan Navarro wrote here on Bloody Disgusting in 2019: “Jess Bradford, a complicated heroine in one of horror’s most extraordinary Christmas films, ranks alongside Laurie Strode among the best Final Girls in horror. One of the greatest horror films of this time. Black Christmas and its leading lady, Jess, left a lasting impression on the genre, significantly influencing the slasher subgenre in particular, and still offering valuable lessons in storytelling and characterization many decades later.”

Post-Black ChristmasOlivia Hussey returned to the horror genre in films such as 1978’s The Cat and the Canary1990s Psycho IV: The Beginningand the 1990 miniseries adaptation Stephen King’s ITand the Clint Howard slasher film Ice cream man (1995).

The British actress also appeared in films including The summer killer (1972), Jesus of Nazareth (1977), Death on the Nile (1978), Turkey shooting (1982), Dead Man’s Island (1996) and Mother Theresa (2003) and voiced characters in video games and animated projects, including Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Superman: The Animated SeriesAnd Batman Beyond.

Mick Garris, who directed Hussey Psycho IVShe wrote on Twitter this weekend: “It is with a very heavy heart that I share the passing of the beautiful, talented, kind and loving Olivia Hussey on December 27th. It is an honor and pleasure to work with him. Condolences to daughter India Eisley and partner David.”

I think we speak for all horror fans when we say that Olivia Hussey will live on forever with the annual holiday screenings of Black Christmasa horror classic in which the actress sets high standards for all the girls who will follow her. Jess laid the foundation for Laurie, Nancy, Sidney and all the other greats, and fifty years later Hussey remains considered one of the genre’s all-time great scream queens. All of us here at Bloody Disgusting extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the friends, family and many fans of the amazing Olivia Hussey.