Olivia Hussey, 'Romeo & Juliet' actress, dead at 73: 'A remarkable person'

Olivia Hussey, the scene-stealing star of the 1968 film "Romeo & Juliet," died at 73 on Dec. 27.

Hussey, who shot to fame as a star in the '60s film and later became an animal rights activist, was mourned in a lengthy tribute posted to her verified Instagram account on Friday.

"Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her," the obituary read. "Born on April 17th, 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Olivia lived a life full of passion, love, and dedication to the arts, spirituality, and kindness towards animals."

Hussey, born in 1951 in the capital city Bueno Aires, Argentina, is survived by her children, Alex, Max, and India and rock singer David Glen Eisley, her husband of 35 years. She also leaves behind one grandson, Greyson.

"As we grieve this immense loss, we also celebrate Olivia’s enduring 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," continued the Instagram caption, which said that Hussey left "a legacy of love that will forever be cherished in our hearts."

Hussey, also known by her married name, Olivia Hussey Eisley, spent her early years in Argentina but later grew up in England and attended an acting school outside of London. At 15, she landed the role of Juliet, stunning the film industry and filmgoers alike and garnering a Golden Globe award for her critically acclaimed performance.

She also starred in the 1978 film "Death on the Nile" and 1988's "The Jeweller's Shop." After an acting break to raise her youngest daughter India, she returned to star in other feature films such as "Mother Teresa of Calcutta" and "Tortilla Heaven." In 2015, she reunited with her "Romeo & Juliet" co-star Leonard Whiting in "Social Suicide."

Later in life, she pursued a personal passion advocating for animals.

'Romeo & Juliet' movie stars file second lawsuit over 1968 nude scene while minors

Earlier this year, Hussey and her "Romeo & Juliet" co-star Leonard Whiting filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures following the digital rerelease of the film in Los Angeles Superior Court in February, claiming that the rerelease "had been digitally enhanced" and "depicted their private areas in such high detail that the gratuitous display was lewd and lascivious and demeaning to them," according to the lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY.

Hussey and Whiting – who were age 15 and 16, respectively, during the making of the film and age 72 and 73 at the filing – claim in the complaint that nothing in their contracts allowed Paramount, then known as B.H.E. Productions, Ltd., to "recreate, republish, or redistribute photographs" of their acting "in any other medium or format than 35 mm analogue."

Contributing: Naledi Ushe

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Olivia Hussey, 'Romeo & Juliet' actress, dead at 73