Golden Globe Winner Olivia Hussey, Star of 'Romeo and Juliet,' Dies at 73 After Cancer Battle

Dec 28, 2024, 08:05 PM

Olivia Hussey, renowned for her role as Juliet in the 1968 film 'Romeo and Juliet,' has passed away at the age of 73. Her family announced that she died peacefully at home on Friday, surrounded by loved ones. Hussey, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and later moved to London, won a Golden Globe for Best New Actress for her portrayal of Juliet. She starred opposite Leonard Whiting in the film, which was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and won two Oscars. Beyond 'Romeo and Juliet,' Hussey's career included roles in the 1977 television series 'Jesus of Nazareth,' the 1978 film 'Death on the Nile,' horror films 'Black Christmas' and 'Psycho IV: The Beginning,' and the 1990 film 'It.' She had been battling cancer since her diagnosis in 2008. She is survived by her husband, David Glen Eisley, three children, and a grandson. In recent years, Hussey and Whiting filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures over nude scenes in 'Romeo and Juliet,' which was dismissed in 2023.