Olivia Hussey, famous for her portrayal of Juliette in Romeo na Juliet (1968) by Franco Zeffirelli, died peacefully at home this Friday, December 27, 2024, at the age of 73. The family of the actress confirmed the news in a statement posted on Instagram, paying tribute to a unique woman “who warm, wisdom and kindness characterized all who knew him.”
A work with a religious role
Born in 1951 in Buenos Aires, Olivia Hussey was cast at the age of 15 to play Juliet alongside Leonard Whiting in the film adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. The film won an Oscar and thrust the young actress into the limelight. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for “New Star of the Year,” cementing her iconic status. Later, he changed his roles, appearing in films such as Black Christmas (1974) already Death on the Nile (1978), while pursuing an active career in theater and television.
Different inheritance
If the success of Romeo na Juliet showed her career, Olivia Hussey also faced controversy in 2023. She and Leonard Whiting had filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures regarding an unauthorized nudity scene in the film. However, the complaint was rejected by a US judge, closing a sensitive chapter in the history of this masterpiece.
Married since 1991 to David Glen Eisley, Olivia Hussey is survived by three children, Alexander, Maximilian and India, as well as a grandson, Greyson. Beyond his work, he will be remembered as a passionate artist and a man whose kindness touched the lives of many.
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