Olivia Hussey Eisley, the British-Argentine actress who rose to fame as a teenager starring as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet”, passed away on Friday at the age of 73.
Hussey’s death was confirmed by filmmaker Marc Huestis, who said she died of cancer, and announced on the actress’s Instagram.
The late actress had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and suffered a recurrence in 2018.
“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,” he wrote on Instagram. “Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. … Olivia lived a life full of passion, love, and dedication to the arts, spirituality and kindness towards animals.”
After debuting in the West End production of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” starring opposite Vanessa Redgrave, Hussey was scouted to lead Italian director Zeffirelli’s film adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
She was just 15 when she was cast and 16 during the shoot.
The pic, in which Hussey starred opposite Leonard Whiting as the star-crossed lovers, launched both of its teenage stars onto a global stage.
It was a popular hit for its casting of actors closer to the real ages of the characters, a rarity at the time, and despite brief glimpses of nudity, it garnered a G rating.
They were each nominated at the 1969 Golden Globe Awards in their respective gendered categories for most promising newcomer, while Zeffirelli’s film itself landed four Academy Award nominations, including best picture and director.
Following leading turns in “All the Right Noises” and “The Summertime Killer,” Hussey was cast to lead Bob Clark’s 1974 horror film “Black Christmas” — widely regarded now as a progenitor to the slasher genre.
Hussey starred as Jessica, a sorority sister whose house is haunted by an unidentified, deranged killer.
She also appeared in the 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile,” led by Peter Utsinov as Hercule Poirot.
Other notable credits include Norma Bates, the mother of Norman Bates, in the flashback-filled “Psycho IV: The Beginning” and Mary in the miniseries “Jesus of Nazareth,” which reunited her with Zeffirelli.
Hussey also worked as a voice actor in video games such as “Star Wars: Rogue Squadron” and “Star Wars: The Old Republic.”
Hussey is survived by her husband, David Glen Eisley, her children, Alex, Max, and India; and her grandson, Greyson.
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