History of Olivia Hussey in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: December 28, 2024

Olivia Hussey is a British actress known for winning a Golden Globe and David di Donatello Award. Born in Buenos Aires to an Argentine tango singer father, she grew up primarily in England with her mother. From a young age, she pursued acting, studying for five years at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

April 1951: Birth of Olivia Hussey

Olivia Hussey was born Olivia Osuna in Buenos Aires, Argentina in April 1951.

April 1951: Early Life and Family Background

Olivia Hussey was born to Argentine tango singer Andrés Osuna and legal secretary Joy Hussey in April 1951. Her parents separated when she was two.

1960: Release of Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho"

Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" was released in 1960.

1964: Early Acting Career and Television Debut

Olivia Hussey began acting professionally at age 13, appearing in a television series episode in 1964 and minor film roles the following year.

1966: Stage Debut in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie"

In 1966, Olivia Hussey appeared in a London production of "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" alongside Vanessa Redgrave.

1968: Release of "Romeo and Juliet"

Franco Zeffirelli's film adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet" was released in 1968.

1968: Brief Relationship with Leonard Whiting

Olivia Hussey briefly dated Leonard Whiting in 1968. They maintained a friendship afterward.

1968: Relationship with Christopher Jones

Olivia Hussey dated actor Christopher Jones in 1968, ending the relationship due to alleged abuse.

1968: Breakthrough Role as Juliet

Olivia Hussey gained international recognition for her portrayal of Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's film adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet" in 1968.

1969: Turning Down Hollywood Roles

Following the success of "Romeo and Juliet", Olivia Hussey declined roles in "Anne of the Thousand Days" and "True Grit" in 1969.

1969: Awards for "Romeo and Juliet"

Olivia Hussey won a David di Donatello Award and a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year - Actress for her performance in "Romeo and Juliet" in 1969.

1971: Appearance in "All the Right Noises"

Olivia Hussey appeared in the British drama "All the Right Noises" in 1971.

1971: Marriage to Dean Paul Martin

Olivia Hussey married Dean Paul Martin, son of Dean Martin, in 1971.

1972: Role in "The Summertime Killer"

Olivia Hussey starred in "The Summertime Killer" in 1972.

1973: Birth of Alexander Gunther Martin

Olivia Hussey's son, Alexander Gunther Martin, was born in 1973.

1974: Lead Role in "Black Christmas"

Olivia Hussey starred as Jess Bradford in the cult slasher film "Black Christmas" in 1974.

1977: Portrayal of Mary in "Jesus of Nazareth"

In 1977, Olivia Hussey played the role of Mary in the television production of "Jesus of Nazareth".

1978: Divorce from Dean Paul Martin

Olivia Hussey and Dean Paul Martin divorced in 1978.

1978: Appearance in "Death on the Nile"

Olivia Hussey appeared in John Guillermin's adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile" in 1978.

1979: Appearance in "The Cat and the Canary"

Olivia Hussey appeared in the film "The Cat and the Canary" in 1979.

1980: Marriage to Akira Fuse

Olivia Hussey married Japanese singer Akira Fuse in 1980.

1980: Role as Marit in "Virus"

Olivia Hussey starred as Marit in the Japanese film "Virus" in 1980.

1982: Roles in "Ivanhoe" and "Turkey Shoot"

In 1982, Olivia Hussey played Rebecca of York in "Ivanhoe" and also had a lead role in the Australian horror film "Turkey Shoot".

1982: Role in "Turkey Shoot"

Olivia Hussey appeared in the Australian dystopian action film "Turkey Shoot" in 1982.

1983: Birth of Maximillian Hussey Fuse

Olivia Hussey's son, Maximillian Hussey Fuse, was born in 1983.

1987: Death of Dean Paul Martin

Dean Paul Martin, Olivia Hussey's first husband, died in a plane crash in 1987.

1987: Cameo in Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl" Video

Olivia Hussey made a cameo appearance in Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl" music video in 1987.

1989: Divorce from Akira Fuse

Olivia Hussey and Akira Fuse divorced in 1989.

1990: Appearance in "Psycho IV: The Beginning" and "Stephen King's It"

In 1990, Olivia Hussey appeared in "Psycho IV: The Beginning" and "Stephen King's It", further solidifying her scream queen status.

1990: Portrayal of Norma Bates in "Psycho IV: The Beginning"

Olivia Hussey played Norma Bates in "Psycho IV: The Beginning" in 1990.

1991: Marriage to David Glen Eisley

Olivia Hussey married David Glen Eisley in 1991.

1993: Birth of India Eisley

Olivia Hussey's daughter, India Eisley, was born in 1993.

1998: Voice Acting in Star Wars: Rogue Squadron

In 1998, Olivia Hussey voiced the character of Kasan Moor in the video game Star Wars: Rogue Squadron.

2000: Voice Acting in Star Wars: Force Commander

In 2000, Olivia Hussey lent her voice to the video game Star Wars: Force Commander.

2003: Lead Role in "Mother Teresa of Calcutta"

Olivia Hussey played the lead role in the biographical film "Mother Teresa of Calcutta" in 2003.

May 2007: Character & Morality in Entertainment Award

Olivia Hussey received a Character & Morality in Entertainment Award in Hollywood in May 2007 for her portrayal of Mother Teresa.

2008: Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Double Mastectomy

In 2008, Olivia Hussey was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy.

2011: Voice Acting in Star Wars: The Old Republic

Olivia Hussey voiced Jedi Master Yuon Par in the massively multiplayer online role-playing game Star Wars: The Old Republic in 2011.

2015: Reunion with Leonard Whiting in "Social Suicide"

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting appeared together in the film "Social Suicide" in 2015, marking their first on-screen collaboration since "Romeo and Juliet".

July 2018: Memoir Publication

Olivia Hussey's memoir, "The Girl on the Balcony: Olivia Hussey Finds Life After Romeo and Juliet," was published in July 2018.

August 2018: Defense of Nude Scene in "Romeo and Juliet"

In August 2018, while promoting her autobiography, Olivia Hussey defended the nude scene in "Romeo and Juliet", stating it was tastefully done and necessary for the film.

2018: Memoir Publication

Olivia Hussey released her memoir, "Girl on the Balcony", in 2018.

2018: Breast Cancer Recurrence

Olivia Hussey's breast cancer returned in 2018, requiring further treatment.

2019: Death of Franco Zeffirelli

Director Franco Zeffirelli passed away in 2019.

December 2022: Lawsuit Against Paramount Pictures

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures in December 2022 for alleged sexual exploitation related to the nude scene in "Romeo and Juliet".