Olivia Hussey Wiki, Height, Age, Family, Husband, Net Worth and Career
Olivia Hussey the actress who became a global icon for her portrayal of Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 classic
Olivia Hussey the actress who became a global icon for her portrayal of Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 classic Romeo and Juliet, has died at the age of 73. A statement shared on her official Instagram account confirmed that the actress passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles on December 27, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.
Hussey career spanned over five decades, leaving an indelible mark on both film and television. While she was most famous for her role as Shakespeare’s tragic heroine, she also captivated audiences in horror classics, epic television miniseries, and even lent her voice to the Star Wars universe. This post pays tribute to her life, from her early days as a young actress in London to her lasting legacy as a screen legend.
Olivia Hussey Net Worth
Olivia Hussey Net Worth
$4 Million
At the time of her death in December 2024, Olivia Hussey net worth was estimated to be around $4 million. This figure is based on reports from sources like Celebrity Net Worth. Some other online sources have estimated her net worth to be as high as $8 million. Her wealth was primarily accumulated through her long and varied acting career.
After her initial success with Romeo and Juliet, she continued to work steadily in film and television for decades. Her filmography includes a wide range of genres, from horror films like Black Christmas to Agatha Christie adaptations like Death on the Nile. She also took on significant television roles and did voice work for several Star Wars video games, including Rogue Squadron and The Old Republic.
In addition to her acting income, Hussey’s net worth also includes real estate assets. She reportedly sold a home in Los Angeles’s Coldwater Canyon area for $1.3 million and later purchased a home in Topanga, California, for $900,000.
Who Was Olivia Hussey?
Olivia Hussey was a British-Argentinian actress who achieved international stardom at the age of 15 for her role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s acclaimed 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe Award and established her as an icon of 1960s cinema.
Beyond her breakout role, Hussey built a diverse career that included roles in iconic films like the horror classic Black Christmas (1974), the star-studded mystery Death on the Nile (1978), and the revered miniseries Jesus of Nazareth (1977), in which she portrayed the Virgin Mary.
How Did Olivia Hussey Become Famous?
Olivia Hussey journey to fame began on the London stage. After training at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts for five years, she started acting professionally at just 13 years old. Her big break came when Italian director Franco Zeffirelli spotted her in a London production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
Zeffirelli was in the process of casting his film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and was captivated by Hussey’s talent and beauty. After an extensive audition process involving over 500 other young actresses, he cast the 15-year-old Hussey as Juliet opposite Leonard Whiting’s Romeo.
The film was a massive international success upon its release in 1968. Critics praised the youthful energy and authentic chemistry of the two young leads. Hussey’s portrayal of Juliet, capturing both the character’s innocence and her passionate intensity, became the definitive screen version for a generation.
Her performance not only made her a star but also earned her the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year in 1969, cementing her status as a major new talent. For her work, Hussey was paid a modest £1,500, equivalent to about $2,200 at the time.
Olivia Hussey Wikipedia/Biography
Olivia Hussey was born Olivia Osuna on April 17, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her father, Andrés Osuna (who performed under the stage name Osvaldo Ribó), was a noted Argentine tango singer, and her mother, Joy Hussey, was an English legal secretary. Her parents separated when she was two, and at the age of seven, she moved to London with her mother and younger brother, Andrew.
It was in London that her passion for acting began to flourish. She enrolled at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, where she studied drama for five years. Her talent was evident early on, and she began acting professionally on the stage at just 13 years old. Olivia Hussey is a famous performer whose parts in Romeo and Juliet and Jesus of Nazareth have made her very well-known.
Olivia Hussey has had a great career for more than fifty years and is thought to have about $4 million. Olivia mom was a British legal assistant named Joy Alma Hussey, and her dad was an opera singer named Andres Osuna. She is the older of two kids, and Andrew Osuna is her younger brother. Olivia Hussey’s family moved to London in 1960, and she went to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts there.
She has gotten married three times and has gone out with many guys. Her first marriage was with the actor Dean Paul Martin in 1971. But, they were not together for long, and they got divorced in 1978. In 1991, she married David Glen Eisley for the third time. Alexander Martin, Maximilian Fuse, and India Eisley are her three kids.
| Name | Olivia Hussey |
| Profession | Actress |
| Famous For | For her role in “Romeo and Juliet” |
| Date of Birth | 17 April, 1951 |
| Age | 73 years (at the time of death) |
| Birth Place | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality | British |
| Hometown | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Gender | Female |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Religion | Christian |
| Date of Death | 27 December 2024 |
| Cause of Death | Breast Cancer |
Olivia Hussey Age
Olivia Hussey was born on April 17, 1951. At the time of her death on December 27, 2024, she was 73 years old.
Olivia Hussey Cause of Death
Olivia Hussey passed away at her home in Los Angeles on December 27, 2024. According to a family statement, she died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones. Hussey had battled health issues in her later years.
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. While she recovered, the cancer unfortunately returned in 2017. Her death marked the end of a long and courageous fight against the illness.
Olivia Hussey Height and Weight
Olivia Hussey was known for her striking beauty, characterized by her large, expressive eyes and long, black hair. Her appearance as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet became an iconic image of youthful innocence and romance. She stood at approximately 5 feet 3 inches (1.6 meters) tall and reportedly weighed around 59 kg.
| Body Measurements | 34-24-34 Inches |
| Bodytype | Hourglass |
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches (1.6 m) |
| Weight | 59 kg (130 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Green |
Olivia Hussey Early Life and Education
Olivia Hussey was born Olivia Osuna on April 17, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her father, Osvaldo Ribó (who performed under the name Andrés Osuna), was a well-known Argentine tango and opera singer. Her mother, Joy Hussey, was an English legal secretary. Olivia was the first child of her parents, who were both Roman Catholics. She has a younger brother named Andrew.
Her parents separated when she was just two years old. At the age of seven, Hussey moved to London, England, with her mother and brother. It was in London that she developed an interest in acting. She enrolled in the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, a renowned drama school, where she studied for five years
Olivia Hussey Parents and Family
Olivia Hussey parents came from vastly different worlds, creating a unique cultural foundation that shaped her early years. Her father, Andrés Osuna (who performed under the stage name Osvaldo Ribó), was an Argentine tango singer whose artistic pursuits exposed young Olivia to the world of performance from an early age.
Her mother, Joy Hussey, worked as a legal secretary and brought Scottish and English heritage to the family dynamic. The family structure changed significantly when Olivia was seven years old. Following her parents’ divorce, she moved to London with her mother and younger brother Andrew. This relocation proved pivotal in her career development, as London offered greater opportunities for aspiring actors.
Raised as a Roman Catholic, Olivia’s religious upbringing would later influence some of her most memorable roles, particularly her portrayal of the Virgin Mary in “Jesus of Nazareth. To support her family’s income and fund her education, the young Olivia Hussey began modeling for magazines while pursuing her acting dreams. This early exposure to the entertainment industry provided valuable experience that would serve her well in her later career.
| Father’s Name | Osvaldo Ribo |
| Mother’s Name | Joy Alma Hussey |
| Brother’s Name | Andrew Osuna |
| Sister’s Name | None |
Olivia Hussey Husband
Olivia Hussey life off-screen was as eventful as her career. She was married three times.
- Dean Paul Martin (1971-1978): Her first husband was the son of legendary entertainer Dean Martin. They had one son together, Alexander Gunther Martin, born in 1973. The couple divorced in 1978.
- Akira Fuse (1980-1989): In 1980, Hussey married Japanese musician Akira Fuse. They had a son, Max, born in 1983, before divorcing in 1989.
- David Glen Eisley (1991-2024): Her third marriage was to American musician and actor David Glen Eisley in 1991. They had a daughter, India Eisley, born in 1993, who is also an actress. Hussey and Eisley remained married for 33 years until her death.
| Husband/Spouse | Dean Paul Martin (1971-78) Akria Fuse (1980 – 89) David Glen Eisley (1991) |
She was a devoted mother and grandmother. At the time of her passing, she was survived by her husband David, her three children Alex, Max, and India, and her grandson, Greyson.
Olivia Hussey’s personal life included three marriages that spanned several decades. Her first marriage was to Dean Paul Martin, son of entertainer Dean Martin, from 1971 to 1979. This union produced her son Alexander and brought her into one of Hollywood’s most famous families.
Her second marriage was to Japanese singer-actor Akira Fuse from 1980 to 1989, resulting in her son Maximilian. This relationship reflected her international appeal and comfort with different cultures.
Her longest and final marriage was to musician David Glen Eisley, beginning in 1991 and lasting until her death in 2024. Their daughter, India Eisley, followed in her mother’s footsteps to become an actress, creating a new generation of the Hussey acting legacy.
Olivia Hussey Career and Professional Journey
Olivia Hussey career began on the London stage, where she appeared alongside Vanessa Redgrave in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. After a few minor film and television roles, her big break came when Italian director Franco Zeffirelli chose her from over 500 actresses to play Juliet in his 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.
At only 15 years old during filming, Hussey’s portrayal of Juliet, opposite Leonard Whiting’s Romeo, was praised for its authenticity and emotional depth. The film was a massive international success and catapulted the young actress to worldwide fame. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress and a David di Donatello Award.
Following the success of Romeo and Juliet, Hussey sought to avoid typecasting and took on a variety of roles. She appeared in films such as the horror classic Black Christmas (1974), the Agatha Christie mystery Death on the Nile (1978), and the epic TV miniseries Jesus of Nazareth (1977), where she played the Virgin Mary. Her career also included voice acting, most notably for the Star Wars video game series, including Rogue Squadron and The Old Republic.
Romeo and Juliet Movie 1968 Cast
The casting process for Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” was extensive, with Olivia Hussey competing against hundreds of other actresses for the coveted role of Juliet. Sources vary on the exact number of hopefuls, with some reports citing 500 actresses and others mentioning 800, but all accounts agree that the competition was fierce.
Zeffirelli’s vision for the film required young, relatively unknown actors who could bring authenticity to Shakespeare’s teenage lovers. At just 16 years old when cast, Hussey embodied the youthful innocence and passionate intensity that the director sought. Her co-star Leonard Whiting, who played Romeo, was similarly young and relatively inexperienced, creating an on-screen chemistry that felt genuine and unforced.
The film’s success was immediate and lasting. Hussey’s performance earned her both a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year Actress and a David di Donatello Award, establishing her as a serious dramatic actress despite her young age.
Olivia Hussey Nude Scene
The success of “Romeo and Juliet” was later overshadowed by controversy surrounding a nude scene in the film. In December 2022, both Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting filed a $500 million lawsuit against Paramount Pictures, alleging sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, and fraud related to their participation in the nude scene.
The Romeo and Juliet nude scene lawsuit claimed that director Franco Zeffirelli had initially assured the young actors that nudity would not be necessary for the film. According to the legal filing, they were later pressured into filming the nude bedroom scene, with promises that their private areas would not be visible in the final cut. The actors alleged that these assurances were not kept and that they had been exploited as minors.
The case was ultimately dismissed in May 2023, but it highlighted ongoing conversations about consent, exploitation, and the protection of young actors in the entertainment industry. The controversy demonstrated how even celebrated works of cinema can carry complex legacies that extend far beyond their artistic achievements.
Olivia Hussey Movies and TV Career
Olivia Hussey’s movies and TV shows demonstrated remarkable range and versatility. She successfully transitioned from Shakespearean drama to various genres, proving her adaptability as an actress. One of her most notable early post-“Romeo and Juliet” roles was in the 1974 horror classic “Black Christmas,” where she played Jess Bradford.
This film has since gained cult status and is often cited as an early example of the slasher genre that would dominate horror cinema in the following decades. Her collaboration with Franco Zeffirelli continued with “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977), where she portrayed the Virgin Mary. This television miniseries became one of the most watched religious programs in television history and showcased Hussey’s ability to bring depth and humanity to iconic religious figures.
The late 1970s brought “Death on the Nile” (1978), where she appeared alongside an all-star cast in Agatha Christie’s murder mystery. Her role as Rosalie Otterbourne demonstrated her comfort with ensemble pieces and her ability to hold her own among veteran actors.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Hussey appeared in various projects including “Virus” (1980), “Turkey Shoot” (1982), the television adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” (1990), and “Psycho IV: The Beginning” (1990), where she played Norman Bates’ mother. These roles showed her willingness to explore different genres and take on challenging characters.
Her later career included voice work in “Star Wars” video games and a return to religious themes with “Mother Teresa of Calcutta” (2003), where she portrayed the Nobel Prize-winning nun. This role demonstrated her continued commitment to meaningful projects and her ability to embody figures of historical significance.
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | The Battle of the Villa Fiorita | Donna |
| 1965 | Cup Fever | Jinny |
| 1968 | Romeo and Juliet | Juliet |
| 1971 | All the Right Noises | Val |
| 1971 | H-Bomb | Erica |
| 1972 | The Summertime Killer | Tania Scarlotti |
| 1973 | Lost Horizon | Maria |
| 1974 | Black Christmas | Jess Bradford |
| 1978 | Death on the Nile | Rosalie Otterbourne |
| 1978 | The Cat and the Canary | Cicily Young |
| 1980 | Virus | Marit |
| 1980 | The Man with Bogart’s Face | Elsa |
| 1982 | Turkey Shoot | Chris Walters |
| 1987 | Distortions | Amy Marks |
| 1989 | The Jeweller’s Shop | Thérèse |
| 1990 | Undeclared War | Rebecca Eche |
| 1993 | Quest of the Delta Knights | The Mannerjay |
| 1994 | Save Me | Gail |
| 1995 | Ice Cream Man | Nurse Wharton |
| 1996 | The Lord Protector: The Dark Mist | Voice of the Ancients |
| 1998 | The Gardener | Mrs. Carter |
| 1998 | Shame, Shame, Shame | Therapist |
| 2000 | Bloody Proof | Laura |
| 2001 | Island Prey | Catherine Gaits |
| 2005 | Headspace | Dr. Karen Murphy |
| 2006 | Seven Days of Grace | Jewel |
| 2007 | Tortilla Heaven | Petra |
| 2008 | Three Priests | Rachel |
| 2008 | I Am Somebody: No Chance in Hell | Mrs. Duncan |
| 2015 | Social Suicide | Julia’s Mother |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Drama 61-67 | Mrs. Ken’s daughter |
| 1977 | Jesus of Nazareth | Mary, mother of Jesus |
| 1978 | The Bastard | Alicia |
| 1978 | The Pirate | Leila |
| 1979 | The Thirteenth Day: The Story of Esther | Esther |
| 1982 | Ivanhoe | Rebecca |
| 1984 | The Last Days of Pompeii | Ione |
| 1984 | Murder, She Wrote | Kitty Trumbull |
| 1985 | The Corsican Brothers | Annamarie de Guidice |
| 1990 | Psycho IV: The Beginning | Norma Bates |
| 1990 | It | Audra Phillips Denbrough |
| 1994 | Lonesome Dove: The Series | Olivia Jessup |
| 1996 | Dead Man’s Island | Rosie |
| 1997 | Boy Meets World | Prudence Curtis |
| 1998 | Pinky and the Brain | Queen Gertrude (voice) |
| 1999 | Superman: The Animated Series | Talia al Ghul (voice) |
| 2000 | Batman Beyond | Talia al Ghul (voice) |
| 2003 | Mother Teresa of Calcutta | Mother Teresa |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did Olivia Hussey die?
Yes, Olivia Hussey passed away on December 27, 2024, at the age of 73.
Who was in the cast of the 1968 movie Romeo and Juliet?
The main cast included Olivia Hussey as Juliet, Leonard Whiting as Romeo, John McEnery as Mercutio, Milo O’Shea as Friar Laurence, and Pat Heywood as The Nurse.
What was Olivia Hussey net worth?
At the time of her death, Olivia Hussey’s net worth was estimated $4 million earned from her extensive career in film, television, and voice acting.
Who were Olivia Hussey’s parents?
Her father was Argentine tango singer Andrés Osuna (Osvaldo Ribó), and her mother was English legal secretary Joy Hussey.
