Olivia Hussey, who horror fans recognize as the lead actress in the 1974 slasher classic “Black Christmas,” has died at the age of 73….
Olivia Hussey-Eisley — best known to horror fans as the star of the 1974 slasher classic “Black Christmas” — has died at the age of 73.
The veteran actress died on Friday as confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle by filmmaker Marc Huestis as well as a post made on her personal Instagram page. Hussey reportedly died following long battle with cancer after she was first diagnosed in 2008 and then suffered a recurrence in 2018.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Olivia Hussey Eisley, who went peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on December 27th,” per the statement on her Instagram page. “Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.
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.
“Olivia leaves behind a loving family— her children, Alex, Max, and India, her husband of 35 years David Glen Eisley, and grandson, Greyson, and a legacy of love that will forever be cherished in our hearts. 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.”
After her getting her start in the theater, Hussey landed one of her most prominent roles when she landed the lead role in Italian director Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” She was only 16 during filming of the classic Shakespeare tragedy and that role launched her career to new heights with the movie also earning multiple Academy Award nominations.
In 1974, Hussey was then cast in the lead role of Bob Clark’s iconic slasher classic “Black Christmas” where she played a member of a sorority being stalked by a mysterious killer, who calls and taunts them before picking off the girls one by one. Hussey was one of the original “final girls” after she manages to survive the onslaught before a major twist is revealed in the closing moments of the film that helped make “Black Christmas” one of the top all-time slasher movies for horror fans.
Hussey remained a working actor throughout her life, starring in numerous films and TV series including roles in the classic 1990 miniseries “IT,” which was adapted from Stephen King’s iconic book of the same name, and she also starred as Norma Bates in “Psycho IV: The Beginning.”
She also did voiceover roles for several “Star Wars” video games with her final appearance on screen happening in 2015 in the movie “Social Suicide.”
Hussey is survived by her husband, her three children and one grandson.
