Olivia Hussey, Iconic ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Star, Dies at 73: Remembering Her Legendary Life and Career 

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Entertainment (Commonwealth Union) 

Olivia Hussey, the beloved actress who rose to international fame as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has passed away at the age of 73. Her death was announced by her family on December 27, 2024, following a recurrence of breast cancer. Nevertheless, Hussey died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones. 

Born Olivia Osuna on April 17, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Hussey was the daughter of tango singer Andrés Osuna (known as Osvaldo Ribó) and legal secretary Joy Hussey. Her mother, of English and Scottish descent, raised Olivia in the Catholic faith, which deeply influenced her throughout her life. At the age of seven, Hussey moved to London with her mother and brother, where she attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, fueling her passion for acting. 

Her breakthrough came when Zeffirelli discovered her during a West End production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. At just 15 years old, she was cast as Juliet, opposite 16-year-old Leonard Whiting as Romeo. Zeffirelli sought actors who could embody the youthful innocence of Shakespeare’s tragic lovers, and Hussey’s natural beauty and maturity made her the perfect choice. 

The 1968 Romeo and Juliet was a critical and commercial success, earning Academy Award nominations and securing Hussey a Golden Globe for Best New Star. However, the film was not without controversy as decades later, Hussey and Whiting sued Paramount Pictures, alleging that they were pressured into filming a nude scene despite assurances they would not have to. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2023, with the court ruling the scene was not sexually explicit. 

Despite the controversy, Hussey’s performance as Juliet remains iconic. Her portrayal captured the vulnerability and passion of one of Shakespeare’s most famous characters, leaving an indelible mark on cinematic history. 

Following Romeo and Juliet, Hussey starred in a variety of roles that showcased her range as an actress as she reunited with Zeffirelli in 1977 to play Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the acclaimed miniseries Jesus of Nazareth. Critics praised her heartfelt performance, solidifying her reputation for portraying complex and deeply emotional characters. 

In 1974, Hussey took on a lead role in the Canadian horror film Black Christmas, which became a cult classic and a forerunner of the slasher genre. Her work in Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990), where she portrayed Norman Bates’s mother, further cemented her status as a “scream queen.” 

She also ventured into international cinema, appearing in the Japanese disaster film Virus (1980), as well as in the Australian dystopian thriller Turkey Shoot (1982). Hussey also portrayed Rosalie Otterbourne in the star-studded 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile

Later in her career, Hussey transitioned into voice acting, lending her talents to the Star Wars franchise in games like Rogue Squadron and The Old Republic. She was also recognized for her work as Talia al Ghul in the DC Animated Universe. 

In 2015, she reunited with her Romeo and Juliet co-star Leonard Whiting in Social Suicide, a modern take on Shakespeare’s tale set in the digital age. 

Hussey’s personal life was just as eventful as her career. She married and divorced three times, first to Dean Paul Martin, son of Dean Martin, with whom she had a son, Alexander, then to Japanese singer Akira Fuse, with whom she had another son, Maximillian. She got remarried in 1991, to musician David Glen Eisley, with whom she had a daughter, actress India Eisley. 

Despite her professional successes, Hussey faced significant challenges, including a struggle with agoraphobia as well as a series of health battles. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, she underwent a double mastectomy and declared herself cancer-free. However, the disease returned in 2017, and she continued to fight with strength and determination until her passing. 

In 2018, Hussey published her memoir, The Girl on the Balcony: Olivia Hussey Finds Life After Romeo and Juliet, reflecting on her extraordinary life and career. 

Hussey’s death marks the end of a remarkable life filled with triumphs and trials. Her legacy as a performer is unparalleled, from her portrayal of Shakespeare’s Juliet to her work in horror and international cinema. Her co-star Leonard Whiting expressed his grief, saying, “Rest now, my beautiful Juliet. No injustices can hurt you now. And the world will remember your beauty inside and out forever.” 

Olivia Hussey leaves behind an enduring impact on film, television, and the hearts of her fans. She will be remembered not only for her timeless performances but also for her resilience and grace in the face of life’s challenges. 

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