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Actress Olivia Hussey Eisley, best known for starring in Franco Zeffirelli's film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has died at the age of 73, according to a post shared on her Instagram account.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Olivia Hussey Eisley, who went peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on December 27th," the post states. "Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.
"Olivia leaves behind a loving family— her children, Alex, Max, and India, her husband of 35 years David Glen Eisley, and grandson, Greyson, and a legacy of love that will forever be cherished in our hearts," the caption continued. "As we grieve this immense loss, we also celebrate Olivia’s enduring impact on our lives and the industry.
"We thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and ask for privacy as we mourn the loss of a truly special soul."
Hussey played the role of Juliet at the age of 15 alongside co-star Leonard Whiting, then 16, in the 1968, with both winning Golden Globes for their performances and the film being nominated for four Academy Awards. The two later sued Paramount Pictures, alleging that Zeffirelli filmed them nude without their consent in 2022.
Prior to the lawsuit, Hussey worked with Zeffirelli again, playing Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, in the television movie Jesus of Nazareth in 1977 and was also credited for roles in Death on the Nile, Psycho IV: The Beginning and the miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's It.
