Romeo and Juliet star Olivia Hussey Eisley has died at the age of 73

Olivia Hussey EisleyBest known for playing Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation Romeo and Juliethe is dead He was 73 years old.

The news was given through him Official Instagram account via a shared post on Friday, December 27th.

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

The tribute remembered Hussey Eisley as having “lived a life filled with passion, love and kindness for art, spirituality and animals”.

Related: 1968 ‘Romeo and Juliet’ stars file second lawsuit against Paramount

The main cast of the 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet have found themselves in a legal battle with Paramount Pictures over the film’s nudity scene. Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, who played Romeo and Juliet, respectively, have accused the studio of sexual abuse and harassment in two separate lawsuits. Initial (…)

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

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

The Argentinian-born actor was only 15 years old when he performed Romeo and Juliet next to Leonard Whiting like Romeo

Upon its release in 1968, the critically acclaimed film was a box office success and in 1969 it earned four Oscar nominations and two wins for best costume and best cinematography.

In August 2018, Hussey spoke with Eisley The Guardian About his role in the 50th anniversary film. “I liked playing Juliet,” he said then. “The only part I didn’t like was all the PR. It was exhausting, and I was this wild little thing.’

The film was not without controversy, however. Hussey Einsley and Whiting found themselves earlier in a legal battle On top of the film’s nude scenes with Paramount Pictures.

Related: ‘Romeo + Juliet’ cast: where are they now?

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

In the initial complaint filed in December 2022, the actors said the film’s director, Zeffirelli, told them the film would not feature nudity and that they would wear flesh-colored underwear 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 Death on the Nile by Agatha ChristieDirected by John Guillermin and released in 1978.