Olivia Hussey Eisley, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Star, Dies at 73

Olivia Hussey Eisley, best known for playing Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has died. She was 73.

The news was announced via her official Instagram account via a post shared on Friday, December 27.

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

The tribute went on to remember Hussey Eisley as having “lived a life full of passion, love, and dedication to the arts, spirituality, and kindness towards animals.”

Related: 1968 ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Stars File 2nd Lawsuit Against Paramount

The lead actors of the 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet have found themselves in a legal battle with Paramount Pictures over the movie’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. In the initial […]

“Olivia leaves behind a loving family— her children, Alex, Max, and India, her husband of 35 years David Glen Eisley, and grandson, Greyson, and a legacy of love that will forever be cherished in our hearts,” the post continued. “As we grieve this immense loss, we also celebrate Olivia’s enduring impact on our lives and the industry.

The caption concluded, “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and ask for privacy as we mourn the loss of a truly special soul.”

The Argentina-born actress was just 15 when she starred in Romeo and Juliet alongside Leonard Whiting as Romeo.

The critically acclaimed film was a box-office success upon its 1968 release and went on to score four Oscar nominations and two wins for Best Costume and Best Cinematography in 1969.

In August 2018, Hussey Eisley spoke to The Guardian about her role in the movie in honor of its 50th anniversary. “I loved playing Juliet,” she said at the time. “The only part I didn’t like was all the PR. It was exhausting, and I was this wild little thing.”

The film wasn’t without controversy, however. Hussey Einsley and Whiting previously found themselves in a legal battle with Paramount Pictures over the movie’s nude scene.

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Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes won over audiences with Romeo + Juliet, their modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s most famous play. The Titanic star and the Homeland alum played the titular doomed couple in the 1996 film, which also starred John Leguizamo (Tybalt), Harold Perrineau (Mercutio), Dash Mihok (Benvolio) and Paul Rudd (Dave Paris). Baz […]

In the initial complaint, filed in December 2022, the costars claimed they were told by the film’s late director, Zeffirelli, that the movie would not feature nudity and that they would wear flesh-colored undergarments for a bedroom scene, according to the Associated Press.

A judge dismissed the case in May 2023. Whiting and Hussey fought back by filing a second lawsuit against Paramount in February 2024, claiming the studio digitally redistributed the film without their permission.

Other memorable roles in the actress’ career included playing Mary in the 1977 miniseries Jesus of Nazareth as well as Rosalie Otterbourne in Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, which was directed by John Guillermin and released in 1978.