Olivia Hussey, the actress who brought Juliet to life in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 classic Romeo and Juliet, has passed away at the age of 73. Her family confirmed the news on Friday, describing her as a “remarkable person” whose kindness and wisdom touched everyone who knew her.
At only 15, Hussey acted in an Oscar-winning adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tragedy, securing a Golden Globe for her performance. Still one of the most iconic portraits today, it launched Hussey into international stardom.
Outside of her breakout role, Hussey built a diverse career, appearing in films like the horror classic Black Christmas and Death on the Nile. She continued to make headlines in recent years for a controversial lawsuit against the studio behind Romeo and Juliet, which was dismissed in 2023.
She is survived by her husband, musician David Eisley; their three children; and a grandchild.
