Olivia Hussey Eisley, who became an international star at 15 playing Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, died on December 27, 2024, at her home in Los Angeles. She was 73. A family statement said she died peacefully surrounded by loved ones; The Washington Post reported breast cancer as the cause of death.
Who was Olivia Hussey?
Born April 17, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Hussey moved to London as a child and studied at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. Zeffirelli saw her in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and cast her as Juliet opposite 16-year-old Leonard Whiting.
The 1968 adaptation made Hussey globally famous. The film won two Academy Awards, and she received the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year. Her performance remains the role most closely associated with her career.
Her defining films and television roles
Hussey continued working across drama, horror, biblical television and mystery after Romeo and Juliet. Her best-known later parts include:
#1 Best Overall
| Work | Year | Role or significance | Genre or format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo and Juliet | 1968 | Juliet; breakthrough international role | Shakespearean romance |
| Black Christmas | 1974 | Jess Bradford | Horror film |
| Jesus of Nazareth | 1977 | Mary | Television biblical epic |
| Death on the Nile | 1978 | Rosalie Otterbourne | Agatha Christie mystery |
| Psycho IV: The Beginning | 1990 | Norma Bates | Television psychological horror |
She also did voice work, including projects connected with animation and Star Wars video games.
How did Olivia Hussey die?
Hussey died at her Los Angeles home on December 27, 2024, aged 73. Her family announced that she had died peacefully at home with her loved ones. The Washington Post identified breast cancer as the cause reported by the family.
Rank #2
Hussey’s husband, children and surviving family
She was survived by her husband of 35 years, musician David Glen Eisley; their children Alex, Max and India; and her grandson, Greyson.
In a statement reported after her death, the family said: “Olivia leaves behind a loving family — her children, Alex, Max and India, her husband of 35 years David Glen Eisley, her grandson Greyson and a legacy of love that will forever be cherished in our hearts.”
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
The legal controversy over Romeo and Juliet
Hussey and Whiting sued Paramount over nude scenes in the 1968 film. They alleged they had been told they would wear flesh-colored undergarments but were filmed nude instead.
In 2023, a Los Angeles County judge dismissed the lawsuit as untimely. The judge also ruled that the depiction could not be considered child pornography. The decision addressed the legal claims and classification at issue; it did not erase the actors’ account of how the scenes were produced.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to begin with her work
For the role that made her famous
Start with Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet (1968), the film that established Hussey as a star and earned her a Golden Globe. A physical release may be listed as “Romeo and Juliet (1968) DVD/Blu-ray,” although editions and availability vary by territory and date.
For horror
Black Christmas (1974) shows her in a landmark early slasher film, playing student Jess Bradford in Bob Clark’s production.
Best Value
For her biblical work
Jesus of Nazareth (1977) presents Hussey as Mary in the widely seen television production.
For mystery and franchise roles
Death on the Nile (1978) places her in an Agatha Christie ensemble, while Psycho IV: The Beginning features her as Norma Bates.
Tributes to Olivia Hussey
Whiting, her Romeo and Juliet co-star, wrote after her death: “Rest now, my beautiful Juliet. No injustices can hurt you now. And the world will remember your beauty inside and out forever.”
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
