Olivia Hussey

Olivia Hussey, captivating star of Romeo and Juliet, dies aged 73

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Actor shot to fame after being cast in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play when she was just 15

By Roisin O’Connor

Olivia Hussey, who mesmerised audiences as the female lead in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has died aged 73.

The news was shared from her official Instagram account in a statement that said the Argentina-born star died “at home, surrounded by her loved ones”.

 

Hussey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and underwent a double mastectomy. The illness returned in 2017 and she underwent treatment to remove a small tumour growing between her heart and lungs.

“Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her,” her family’s statement said.

It continued: “Olivia lived a life full of passion, love, and dedication to the arts, spirituality, and kindness towards animals.”

Source: Olivia Hussey, captivating star of Romeo and Juliet, dies aged 73 | The Independent

• Read MORE STORIES ON OLIVIA HUSSEY on The Hobbledehoy

Olivia Hussey: The Girl on the Balcony

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Shakespeare Unlimited: Episode 113

Olivia Hussey was just fifteen when Franco Zeffirelli cast her in Romeo and Juliet. When the film was released in October 1968, it catapulted Hussey and Leonard Whiting, the young actor playing Romeo, to global stardom. For many Shakespeare lovers, Zeffirelli’s film is still the definitive film adaptation of the play. Now, fifty years after the movie’s release, Hussey’s memoir, The Girl on the Balcony: Olivia Hussey Finds Life After Romeo and Juliet, tells the story of the actress’s life before, during, and after Romeo and Juliet.

We talked with Hussey and asked her how she felt about Shakespeare before making the movie (“very boring”), filming the balcony scene (“I’d bump my teeth into his chin”), the endless press tour, and whether she’d do it all again. Olivia Hussey is interviewed by Barbara Bogaev.

From our Shakespeare Unlimited podcast. Published January 22, 2019. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. This podcast episode, “Speak Again, Bright Angel” was produced by Richard Paul. Garland Scott is the Associate Producer.  It was edited by Gail Kern Paster.  Ben Lauer is the web producer. We had technical help from Andrew Feliciano and Paul Luke at VoiceTrax West in Studio City, California.

Source: Olivia Hussey: The Girl on the Balcony | Folger Shakespeare Library