Olivia Hosie-Easley, the actress who rose to fame as one of the lovers in Franco Zeffirelli's controversial 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, died peacefully today at her home surrounded by loved ones, according to a post on her Instagram page. She was 73 years old.
Hussey's credits also include Death on the Nile Opposite Peter Ustinov. Psycho IV: The Beginning in which she played Norma Bates and the 1990 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King He – she.
She worked again with Zeffirelli when she played Mary, mother of Jesus, in the 1977 TV movie Jesus of Nazareth.
In 2022, Hussey and Whiting filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures, alleging that Zeffirelli violated their agreement to Romeo and Juliet By photographing them naked without their knowledge. Hussey and Whiting were 15 and 16 years old respectively at the time of the film He was shot. The film is estimated to have grossed more than $500 million since its release before the Summer of Love, and the duo is seeking $100 million in damages.
These allegations were different from what Hussey made in 2018 when she spoke about nudity in the film. At the time, the actress told Fox News, in her new memoir, that nudity “wasn't a big deal.”
Nudity was definitely a great deal of the genre when Romeo and Juliet This controversial film was released in March 1968. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won the Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design. Both Whiting and Hussey also won Golden Globe Awards for their performances.
Having faced allegations of sexual harassment and assault in the past, Zeffirelli was unable to respond to Hussey and Whiting's accusations, given that he died in 2019.
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However, the director's son, Pippo Zeffirelli, responded.
He added: “It is embarrassing to hear that today, 55 years after filming, two elderly actors, who owe their bad reputation primarily to this film, are waking up to announce that they were subjected to abuse that caused them years of anxiety and emotional discomfort.” January 2023.
In May 2023, the judge said the suit contained a “gross mischaracterization” of the bedroom scenes in question from the film, and, citing First Amendment grounds, entered a tentative ruling dismissing the case.
Hosie Easley is survived by her children Alex, Max and India, her husband of 35 years, David Glenn Easley, and her grandson Greyson.
Here is the Hussey family's statement in full:
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Olivia Hussey-Easley, who went peacefully home surrounded by her loved ones on December 27th.
Olivia was an amazing person whose warmth, wisdom and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.
He was born on April 17, 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Olivia lived a life filled with passion, love, dedication to the arts, spirituality, and kindness toward animals.
Olivia leaves behind a loving family – her children, Alex, Max, and India, her husband of 35 years, David Glenn Isley, her grandson, Greyson, and a legacy of love that will forever be held dear in our hearts. As we mourn this tremendous loss, we also celebrate Olivia's lasting 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.
