Olivia Hussey Eisley, the celebrated actress who rose to fame in the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet and later starred in the horror classic Black Christmas, has passed away at the age of 73. The news was shared via a heartfelt post on her Instagram page.
“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 statement reads. “Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.”
Hussey Eisley, a British-Argentine actress, gained international recognition with her role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless love story. The performance earned her a Golden Globe and catapulted her to stardom.
The film, however, was not without controversy. In late 2022, Hussey Eisley and her co-star Leonard Whiting sued Paramount Studios for including nude scenes of the then-underage actors, claiming they had been coerced into filming them. The lawsuit was dismissed in May 2023.
Hussey Eisley’s career extended beyond Romeo and Juliet. She starred in the 1974 horror film Black Christmas and the 1978 Agatha Christie adaptation Death on the Nile. She also worked with Zeffirelli again in 1977, playing Mary in the TV miniseries Jesus of Nazareth.
In later years, she appeared in notable projects like Psycho IV: The Beginning, the miniseries It based on Stephen King’s novel, and the biographical film Mother Teresa. Other works included the thriller El Grito and the comedy Tortilla Heaven.
Born on April 17, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Hussey Eisley lived a life rich with passion for the arts, spirituality, and compassion for animals.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, David Glen Eisley; her children, Alex, Max, and India; and her grandson, Greyson.
“Olivia leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication that will forever be cherished,” the family’s statement concluded. “As we grieve this immense loss, we 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.”
