Romeo and Juliet actor Olivia Hussey dies at 73

Veteran actor Olivia Hussey, who starred as the female lead in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, died on December 27. She was 73.

The Argentina-born actor died at her home, surrounded by her family, as confirmed in an announcement on her official Instagram account. “Olivia was a remarkable soul whose warmth, wisdom, and genuine kindness left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her,” the post stated.

Here’s the post:

Olivia Hussey was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008.

At just 15 years old, Olivia Hussey starred alongside 16-year-old British actor Leonard Whiting in Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet. The Paramount-distributed film, co-written by Zeffirelli, earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. For her performance, Hussey was honoured with a Golden Globe and a David di Donatello award.

Olivia collaborated with Italian filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli once again, portraying Mary in the epic 1977 international miniseries Jesus of Nazareth. She later delivered another angelic performance as the lead in Mother Teresa of Calcutta (2003).

She was born on April 17, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her father, an Argentine opera singer, performed under the stage name Osvaldo Rib³, while her mother, Joy, was an English-born legal secretary.

Olivia Hussey is survived by her husband of 35 years, David Glen Eisley, son of actor Anthony Eisley (Hawaiian Eye); her daughter, India; her two sons, Alexander and Max; and her grandson, Greyson.