Olivia Hussey, the beloved actress recognized for her portrayal of Juliet in the 1968 film "Romeo and Juliet," has sadly passed away at the age of 73. Her family announced her death on social media, stating she died peacefully at home on Friday, surrounded by loved ones (BBC).

Born on April 17, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Hussey moved to London as a child and was only 15 years old when she caught the attention of director Franco Zeffirelli while performing in the play The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Cast alongside Leonard Whiting as Romeo, the film received two Oscars, and Hussey was honored with a Golden Globe for best new actress for her role (HuffPost, NPR).

Hussey's legacy is also marred by the controversy surrounding the film's production. Many years later, she and Whiting pursued legal action against Paramount Pictures, accusing the studio of sexual abuse and fraud related to their nude scenes in the film, which they claimed were filmed without their permission. This lawsuit was ultimately dismissed in 2023 by a Los Angeles County judge who determined that their claims were not adequately substantiated (AP News).

Aside from "Romeo and Juliet," Hussey's impressive body of work includes her portrayal of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the acclaimed 1977 miniseries Jesus of Nazareth, as well as appearances in Death on the Nile and notable horror films such as Black Christmas and Psycho IV: The Beginning.

She leaves behind her husband, David Glen Eisley, three children, and a grandson. Following her passing, Whiting shared a heartfelt tribute: "Rest now my beautiful Juliet; no injustices can hurt you now. And the world will remember your beauty inside and out forever" (HuffPost). This statement captures the profound impact that Hussey had on her co-stars and the film industry at large.