Olivia Hussey: From Juliet to Memorable Roles

Olivia Hussey, best known for her breakout role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has passed away at the age of 73. She was surrounded by loved ones at her home. Hussey, who hailed from Argentina, made a splash in the film industry at just 15 years old, starring opposite Leonard Whiting as Romeo. The movie was a significant hit, earning several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and winning her a David di Donatello prize and a Golden Globe. Throughout her career, Hussey showcased her versatility in various roles. She reteamed with Zeffirelli in the 1977 miniseries Jesus of Nazareth, playing Mary, and later portrayed Mother Teresa in Mother Teresa of Calcutta (2003). Her performances were not limited to dramatic roles; she also starred in the horror film Black Christmas (1974) and the mystery thriller Death on the Nile (1978). Born Olivia Osuna in Buenos Aires, Hussey was the daughter of Argentine opera singer Osvaldo Ribó and English-born legal secretary Joy. At the age of 7, she moved to London with her mother and brother, attending the Italia Conti Academy drama school. Her acting debut came at 13, using her mother's maiden name as her stage name. Hussey’s performance in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie on the West End led to her being cast in Romeo and Juliet. The film sparked controversy for its topless scenes but was a box-office success for Paramount. After the film's triumph, Hussey turned down roles in Anne of the Thousand Days and True Grit due to her discomfort with co-star John Wayne. She continued to act in various films, including The Summertime Killer (1972), Lost Horizon (1973), and the horror film Turkey Shoot (1982). Hussey also played the mother of Norman Bates in Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990) and appeared in the Stephen King miniseries It (1990). In recent years, Hussey and Whiting sued Paramount over allegations of child abuse during the filming of Romeo and Juliet. The lawsuits were ultimately dismissed. Hussey is survived by her husband, David Glen Eisley, her children, and grandchildren.