Olivia Hussey

2023 - 1 - 3

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Variety"

'Romeo and Juliet' Stars Sue for Child Abuse Over 1968 Nude Scene (Variety)

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting have filed a child abuse lawsuit, alleging that they were duped into appearing nude in the 1968 "Romeo and Juliet."

“It was needed for the film.” The courts saw an influx of complaints against the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church, among other organizations, in the days leading up to the Dec. “These were very young naive children in the ’60s who had no understanding of what was about to hit them. “Nude images of minors are unlawful and shouldn’t be exhibited,” said the actors’ attorney, Solomon Gresen, in an interview. But in the final days of filming, the director allegedly implored them to perform in the nude with body makeup, “or the Picture would fail.” Hussey was 15 at the time and Whiting was 16.

'Romeo and Juliet' stars Olivia Hussey, Leonard Whiting sue ... (USA TODAY)

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, who starred in Franco Zeffirelli's adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," are seeking more than $500 million in damages.

Atkins, who was 18 at the time, later added: “There were scenes where I was butt naked with you, if you remember, sliding down that slide and things like that. "It wouldn't be allowed," Shields, who was 14 while filming the movie and is now 57, said. "It was needed for the film." The actors "believed they had no choice but to act in the nude in body makeup as demanded." 31, prompting a wave of last-minute lawsuits. ["Romeo and Juliet"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2022/12/02/george-jones-tammy-wynette-love-story-jessica-chastain-michael-shannon/10799737002/) sued Paramount Pictures for more than $500 million on Friday over a [nude scene](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2022/02/04/euphoria-makes-us-uncomfortable-so-why-cant-we-look-away/9286707002/) in the film shot when they were teens.

Romeo and Juliet stars sue Paramount over nude scene from ... (The Independent)

The complaint alleges that late director Franco Zeffirelli told the lead actors that the film wouldn't include nudity, but ended up turning on his word. “What ...

You can also call the NSPCC if you are an adult and you are worried about a child, on 0808 800 5000. If you are a child and you need help because something has happened to you, you can call the NSPCC free of charge on 0800 1111. At 16, as actors, they took his lead that he would not violate that trust they had.

Romeo and Juliet: Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting sue over ... (BBC News)

The stars of the Oscar-winning 1968 film Romeo and Juliet are suing Paramount Pictures for sexual abuse over a nude scene they appeared in.

The actors "believed they had no choice but to act in the nude in body makeup as demanded". "And Leonard wasn't shy at all! "Nobody my age had done that before," she said, adding that Zeffirelli shot it tastefully. There was no #MeToo." "What they were told and what went on were two different things," said Tony Marinozzi, a business manager for the two actors. Zeffirelli told them they must act in the nude "or the picture would fail" and their careers would be hurt, the pair claim in the lawsuit.

Tragedy for Juliet: Olivia Hussey was catapulted to fame aged 15 ... (Daily Mail)

Winning the role of Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet was a blessing and a curse for 15-year-old Argentinian actress Olivia Hussey, ...

They sold their house, split the money and went their separate ways. He apologized and pleaded with her to keep the baby. There was dark bruising around her eyes and on the side of her head. The location was the Warner Bros. He had pulled out a clump of her hair and her nose was bloodied. Conferring with Dino, Rudy, and a psychiatrist, Olivia decided to abort the baby. A day after signing, she learned she was pregnant. Her contract included special lunches to ensure she stay on a diet. But the actress writes that she did not sleep with him. The once, sweet and shy teenager was no more. She wasn't feeling anxiety or pressure and just settling into 'this new, sunnier way of living'. But the actress writes that she did not sleep with him

Romeo and Juliet stars Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting sue over ... (The Globe and Mail)

Hussey, then 15, and Leonard Whiting, then 16, filed the suit against Paramount Pictures alleging sexual abuse, sexual harassment and fraud.

The actors “believed they had no choice but to act in the nude in body makeup as demanded.” “It was needed for the film.” Zeffirelli told them they must act in the nude “or the Picture would fail” and their careers would be hurt, the suit said.