Olivia Hussey: Romeo and Juliet actress dies aged 73

The Guardian

Olivia Hussey, star of the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, has died aged 73. The actress, who won a Golden Globe for her role, leaves behind a legacy spanning iconic films, TV series, and voice acting.

Actress Olivia Hussey, best known for her role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's acclaimed 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has passed away aged 73, as reported by the BBC.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1951, Hussey grew up in London and trained at the Italia Conti Academy. She was discovered by Zeffirelli at 15 while performing opposite Vanessa Redgrave in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

Starring alongside Leonard Whiting, 16, she brought Shakespeare's Juliet to life in a film that received Oscar nominations and earned her a Golden Globe for Best New Star.

However, decades later, Hussey and Whiting sued Paramount Pictures over the inclusion of a nude scene filmed when they were teenagers, though the case was dismissed last year.

Hussey's other notable roles included the Virgin Mary in Zeffirelli's 1977 miniseries Jesus of Nazareth and appearances in Black Christmas and Death on the Nile.

She later became a voice actress and reunited with Whiting in the 2015 film Social Suicide. Hussey passed away on Friday, surrounded by loved ones.

A statement on her Instagram celebrated her life and contributions to the industry.

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