Romeo and Juliet star Olivia Hussey dies at 73

Originally appeared on E! On-line

Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its own.

Olivia Hussey EisleyStar of the 1968 film Romeo and Juliethas died. She was 73.

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

The message continued: “Olivia 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, MaxAnd Indiaher husband of 35 years David Glen Eisleyand grandchildren, Greysonand a legacy of love that will remain in our hearts forever.”

Olivia was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1951, the daughter of an Argentine tango singer Andres Osunaand British mother, Joy Hussey. The actress spent most of her childhood in her mother’s native England and began her acting career as a teenager, appearing in plays before making her big screen debut in the TV show Drama 61-67.

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At the age of 15 she had her big breakthrough with the role of Julia Franco Zeffirelliis the 1968 film adaptation of William Shakespeare‘S Romeo and Juliet. The film won two Oscars and both Olivia and Leonard Whiting won Golden Globes for their outstanding performances.

In 2022, she and fellow British actor sued the film’s production company, Paramount Studios, claiming they were filmed naked for the film without their knowledge while they were underage. A Los Angeles judge dismissed the case in 2023, saying her depiction could not be considered child pornography and that the couple filed their lawsuit too late, NBC News reported.

In addition to Romeo and JulietOlivia is known for her role in the 1974 Christmas slasher film Black Christmas. She also played Mary in the 1977 miniseries Jesus of Nazareth and starred in the 1979 film Death on the Nile and the 1990 miniseries Itrelated to Stephen Kingis the successful novel. In 1997, Olivia played a guest role in the series ” Boy meets world as Topanga’s Aunt Prudence.

In the 1990s and 1990s, the actress often worked as a voice actress for shows such as: b Batman Beyond And Star Wars: The Old Republic. Olivia’s last role was in the 2015 film Social suicide. In the film which is inspired by Romeo and JulietShe and Leonard play the parents of a character portrayed by their real-life daughter India.

The two reunited at the 2018 TCL Classic Film Festival. Following the news of Olivia’s death, Leonard penned a message to his late co-star.

“Olivia, we have shared so much since we were two sweet, innocent children clinging to each other for dear life, as every photo of us attests,” his wife said in a comment Lynn Whiting‘s page on the Instagram post shared on Olivia’s. “You’ve never been afraid to fight to make right everything that’s wrong in this world.”

The message continued: “Rest now my beautiful Julia, no injustice can harm you now. And the world will forever remember your inner and outer beauty. Leonard.”

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