Olivia Hussey Eisley, best known for her lead role in 1968’s Romeo and Juliet, has died at 73.
The actress died on Dec. 27 in her home surrounded by loved ones, according to an announcement posted to social media Friday.
“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,” the caption added.
Hussey’s death follows a recurring battle with breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 2008. She is survived by her husband, David Glen Eisley, three children, and one grandchild.
Born in Buenos Aires on April 17, 1951, Hussey grew up in London, where she launched her acting career on stage, television, and through minor roles in English films. At 15, she was cast in Franco Zeffirelli’s movie adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” where she starred alongside British actor Leonard Whiting. Hussey’s role in the film catapulted her to stardom, and she won a Golden Globe Award for her performance.
“Olivia, we have shared so much since we were two sweet innocent children clinging onto each other for dear life as every photo of us attests to,” wrote Whiting in the comments section of the Instagram post announcing his late co-star’s death. “You have never been frightened of fighting to fix everything wrong in this world.”
“Rest now my beautiful Juliet no injustices can hurt you now. And the world will remember your beauty inside and out forever. Leonard,” he continued.
As an adult, Hussey’s best-known roles were as sorority girl Jess Bradford in the 1974 slasher film “Black Christmas,” her portrayal of Mary in 1977’s “Jesus on the Nazareth,” which was also directed by Zeffirelli, and as Rosalie Otterbourne in 1978’s “Death on the Nile.”
The actress also played Norma Bates in 1990’s “Psycho IV: The Beginning” and appeared in the “It” miniseries, an adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 novel. Hussey’s roles in these projects later earned her the label of “scream queen.”
Other film appearances of Hussey include 2003’s “Mother Teresa of Calcutta,” and 2015’s “Social Suicide,” where she reunited on-screen with co-star Leonard Whiting.
Speaking with Express in 2018, Hussey revealed her breast cancer diagnosis, leading her to undergo a double mastectomy. Nearly 10 years later, the disease would return when doctors found a tumor between her heart and lungs.
“I’ve been agoraphobic all my life, which isn’t a great trait for an actor. Sometimes I couldn’t leave the house. I had mounting panic attacks until I finally got medication that helped. It’s still a concern but I meditate daily and have my prayers of gratitude and forgiveness,” Hussey said.
“I'll admit, I’m no picnic. I’m moody, stubborn, sensitive to the point of neurosis, racked by insecurities and peculiar vulnerabilities. But I’ve improved with age and I’m more relaxed now than ever,” she added.
Hussey was married to Dean Paul Martin, son of Hollywood star Dean Martin, from 1971 to 1978, and Japanese singer Akira Fuse from 1980 to 1989. In 2018, the actress published her memoir “The Girl on the Balcony: Olivia Hussey Finds Life After Romeo and Juliet.”
