British actress Olivia Hussey, best known for her role in Romeo and Juliet, has tragically passed away at the age of 73. The news was confirmed by her family, who announced on Instagram that she passed away on December 27, 2024, after a long battle with breast cancer. The statement read:
“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. Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. … Olivia lived a life full of passion, love, and dedication to the arts, spirituality and kindness towards animals.”
Olivia Hussey was born in 1951 in Buenos Aires and moved to London, where she began acting at the age of 13. After gaining recognition from Romeo & Juliet, Olivia also starred in Black Christmas, playing the role of Jess Bradford. The film, directed by Bob Clark, also starred Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, and John Saxon.
Apart from this, Olivia is known for her roles in Psycho IV: The Beginning, It, All the Right Noises, Lost Horizon, Death on the Nile, Virus, Undeclared War, Ice Cream Man, Headspace, and Social Suicide. Furthermore, she appeared in many TV series, including The Corsican Brothers, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Jesus of Nazareth, and The Pirate.
As Olivia Hussey, a celebrated actress, passed away on December 27, 2024, social media users are remembering her for her iconic role in Black Christmas. In the movie, which revolves around a group of sorority sisters receiving threat calls, Olivia’s portrayal of Jessica Bradford resonated with audiences.
Olivia’s character, Jess, navigates chilling phone calls, the disappearance of her friends, and a terrifying confrontation with the unseen murderer, all while grappling with personal challenges like an unplanned pregnancy. Jess is depicted as hiding in her house from the unknown killer, which contributes to her popularity among fans.
While Olivia was beloved for her role in Black Christmas, she actually rose to fame after Romeo & Juliet, for which she received multiple awards and nominations. Aside from her work in films and TV, Hussey gained widespread recognition for her memoir, The Girl on the Balcony: Olivia Hussey Finds Life After Romeo and Juliet, published in July 2018.
Regarding her personal life, Hussey was married to Dean Paul Martin, the son of Dean Martin, from 1971 to 1979. In the 1980s, she married Japanese singer Akira Fuse before marrying Eisley in 1991. The actress became a mother three times, welcoming one child from each of her marriages.
As news of her passing spread, fans and netizens poured out their tributes and condolences for the family. Meanwhile, the family of the late actress has yet to share more details about her funeral and memorial services.