Olivia Hussey Eisley the actress who starred as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet passed away yesterday. She was 73.
This announcement was posted on her official Instagram account on Friday, 27th December. The cause of her death is revealed to be cancer.
The caption of the post read:
“We have learned with such deep sorrow that our dear Olivia Hussey Eisley has passed away in her sleep, at home,e and in the loving arms of her family.
Olivia was an outstanding woman who has a good heart, deep knowledge, and who has never done any harm to anyone.”
Hussey Eisley then proceeded to be remembered as “having once lived her life to the fullest with passion, love, and dedication to arts, the spirit world, and the animals.”
“Olivia has loving children, Alex, Max, and India, husband David Glen Eisley, and grandson, Greyson, and a memory of love that will live on eternally in our hearts,” the post added
I am grateful for Olivia and her work and while we mourn this devastating loss; we also remember the legacy she left behind.
The caption continued, “Thank you for your kind words and support during this brutal time and please see us during the funeral service to bid goodbye to this unique spirit we have lost.”
Hussey was 15 at the time and starred opposite British actor Leonard Whiting, 16, in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Both were unknowns.
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The film made for Paramount and co-scripted by Zeffirelli was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and three other Oscars; she was awarded a David di Donatello prize and a Golden Globe for her work.
Our heartfelt condolences to her family and kids!