SAD NEWS: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ star Olivia Hussey passed away at the age of 73. The cause of her death was…read more

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ circa 1968

Everett

Olivia Hussey Eisley, the actress who shot to fame as one of the star-crossed lovers in Franco Zeffirelli’s controversial Romeo and Juliet in 1968, died peacefully today at home surrounded by her loved ones, according to a post on her Instagram page. She was 73. 

Hussey’s credits also include Death on the Nile opposite Peter Ustinov; Psycho IV: The Beginning in which she played Norma Bates and the 1990 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s It.

She worked again with Zeffirelli when she played Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the 1977 television movie Jesus of Nazareth.

In 2022, Hussey and Whiting sued Paramount Pictures, alleging that Zeffirelli violated their consent on Romeo and Juliet by filming them nude without their knowledge. Hussey and Whiting were 15 and 16 years old, respectively, when the film was shot. Estimating that the film has made over $500 million since its pre-Summer of Love release, the duo sought $100 million in damages

The claims were distinct from what Hussey said in 2018 when she spoke of the nudity in the film. Back then, plugging a new memoir, the actress told Fox News that the nudity “wasn’t that big of a deal.” 

The nudity was certainly a big deal of a sort when Romeo and Juliet came out in March 1968. Nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, the controversial picture won Best Cinematography and Costume Design Oscars. Both Whiting and Hussey also won Golden Globes for their performances.

Having faced claims of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the past, Zeffirelli was unable to respond to Hussey and Whiting’s accusations, given that he died in 2019.

However, the filmmaker’s son Pippo Zeffirelli did respond.

“It is embarrassing to hear that today, 55 years after filming, two elderly actors who owe their notoriety essentially to this film wake up to declare that they have suffered an abuse that has caused them years of anxiety and emotional discomfort,” he said in January 2023.

In May 2023, a judge said the suit contained a “gross mischaracterization” of the bedroom scenes in question from the film and, citing the First Amendment, put forth a tentative ruling to dismiss the case.

Hussey Eisley is survived by her children, Alex, Max and India, her husband of 35 years, David Glen Eisley, and her grandson, Greyson.

Here is the statement from Hussey’s family in full:

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.

Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.

Born on April 17th, 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Olivia lived a life full of passion, love, and dedication to the arts, spirituality, and kindness towards animals.

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. As we grieve this immense loss, we also celebrate Olivia’s enduring impact on our lives and the industry.

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.

Related Posts

BREAKING NEWS TODAY: A Texas pediatrician has been fired for an insensitive social media post saying Trump supporters got “what they voted for” after the Texas floods and …read more

A story that has been attracting the attention of the American public in recent days comes from the state of Texas – which has just suffered a historic flood that…

Read more

SHOCKING TURN: 2 hours ago, Elon Musk admitted he now “regrets” some of his Trump tweets — just after facing massive fallout… more

A reunion of the world’s richest man and the most powerful may not be imminent, but at least one of them has now expressed his regrets as their relationship lies in…

Read more

SAD NEWS: 15 minutes ago model and singer Paris Hilton and her family sadly announced to fans that her husband, businessman Carter Reum, at the age of 44, he had… more

Paris Hilton Emotionally Reveals Husband Carter Reum Decided to Retire Due to Health Reasons Paris Hilton – a name associated with the spotlight, catwalks and lavish parties – recently surprised…

Read more

BBC reported: The Justice Department and FBI reportedly failed to find Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘Client List’. Elon Musk called it ‘the last straw’ but the truth is the US president has…see more

Musk, a former ally of President Donald Trump, criticized the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case After an FBI memo reportedly found no evidence that Jeffrey Epstein kept a…

Read more

BBC News reports: 30 minutes ago! The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, has sparked media outrage after he was found unconscious in a private room at his home in Texas after King Charles ordered … More

KING CHARLES FURIOUS OVER CHINESE SPY SCANDAL INVOLVING PRINCE ANDREW: ROYAL TENSIONS HIT BOILING POINT! In a shocking turn of events, King Charles, 76, is reportedly “livid” over a Chinese…

Read more

SAD NEWS : 30 minutes ago in Mississippi, USA, at the age of 71, Oprah Winfrey’s family just announced to her fans the urgent news that she is currently … More

Oprah Wiпfrey receпtly missed a schedυled iпterview dυe to a health scare. Her spokespersoп has siпce shared aп υpdate oп her coпditioп which left her hospitalized.Iп Jυпe 2024, Wiпfrey’s spokespersoп…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *