‘Romeo and Juliet’ Movie Star Olivia Hussey Dies at 73

Published On: December 28, 2024

Olivia Hussey Eisley, renowned for her iconic role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 “Romeo and Juliet,” died on December 27, 2024, at age 73 after battling cancer. Born in Buenos Aires in 1951, she won a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year for her breakthrough role at age 15. Her notable works included “Black Christmas” (1974), “Death on the Nile” (1978), and “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977). She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, including her husband of 35 years David Glen Eisley, their three children Alex, Max, and India, and grandson Greyson.

1 Early Life and Breakthrough
2 Career Milestones
3 Legacy and Impact
4 Personal Life
5 Final Days

Early Life and Breakthrough

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 17, 1951, Olivia Hussey was the daughter of tango singer Andreas Osuna (Isvaldo Ribo) and Joy Alma Hussey. At age seven, she moved to London with her mother and younger brother.

In London, she attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, where she received intensive training in acting, dance, and voice. Her breakthrough came at age 15 when Franco Zeffirelli discovered her performing alongside Vanessa Redgrave in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”.

Zeffirelli cast her as Juliet in his 1968 film adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” choosing her from over 500 actresses. This role catapulted her to international stardom and earned her the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. The film received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Career Milestones

Breakthrough Role Her portrayal of Juliet in Zeffirelli’s 1968 “Romeo and Juliet” earned her the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year and a special David di Donatello Award. The film received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

Horror Genre Success Hussey established herself as a “scream queen” through several notable horror films:

Lead role as Jess Bradford in “Black Christmas” (1974)
Portrayed Norma Bates in “Psycho IV: The Beginning” (1990)
Appeared in Stephen King’s “It” miniseries

Notable Collaborations

Reunited with Zeffirelli to play Mary in “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977)
Starred alongside Peter Ustinov in “Death on the Nile” (1978)

Voice Acting Her voice work included roles in:

Superman: The Animated Series
Batman Beyond
Star Wars video games

Her final film appearance was in “Social Suicide” (2015), where she reunited with Leonard Whiting, her Romeo and Juliet co-star.

Legacy and Impact

Academy Recognition The 1968 “Romeo and Juliet” received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, ultimately winning two Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design.

Career Achievements Her portrayal of Juliet earned her the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year, alongside a special David di Donatello Award. She established herself as a “scream queen” through notable horror films like “Black Christmas” (1974) and “Psycho IV: The Beginning”.

Voice Acting Career Hussey contributed significantly to voice acting, particularly in the Star Wars franchise, including roles in:

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (1998)
Star Wars: Force Commander (2000)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011)

Legal Controversy In 2022, Hussey and co-star Leonard Whiting filed a $500 million lawsuit against Paramount Pictures regarding the nude scene filmed when they were minors. The case was dismissed in 2023, with the judge ruling the scene was not “sufficiently sexually suggestive”.

Cultural Impact Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” remains considered one of the definitive adaptations of Shakespeare’s play, influencing generations of students and filmmakers. Hussey’s final on-screen appearance reunited her with Whiting in “Social Suicide” (2015), a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.

Personal Life

Marriages and Children Olivia Hussey had three marriages throughout her life. Her final and longest marriage was to American musician David Glen Eisley, whom she married in 1991, sharing 35 years together until her passing. She had three children from her marriages:

Alexander Martin (born 1973) with first husband Dean Paul Martin
Maximillian Hussey Fuse (born 1983) with second husband Akira Fuse
India Eisley (born 1993) with David Glen Eisley

Personal Passions Beyond her acting career, Hussey dedicated herself to spirituality and animal welfare. She maintained a deep connection to her Catholic faith from childhood, keeping a mini-altar at home with a perpetually lit candle. Her life was characterized by warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness that touched everyone who knew her.

Family Legacy Her daughter India followed in her footsteps as an actress, notably appearing alongside her mother in “Social Suicide” (2015). At the time of her passing, Hussey was also grandmother to Greyson. She lived her final years dedicated to her family, arts, spirituality, and showing kindness towards animals.

Final Days

Cause and Time of Death Olivia Hussey Eisley passed away on December 27, 2024, after a long battle with breast cancer. She had been initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, which went into remission following a mastectomy, but the cancer recurred in 2018.

Peaceful Passing She died peacefully at her home in Buenos Aires, Argentina, surrounded by her loved ones. Her family announced her passing through a heartfelt statement on her Instagram account.

Family’s Tribute The family’s statement highlighted her remarkable life and legacy: