Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, who captured hearts as the young lovers in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” have taken legal action against Paramount Pictures.
The iconic film garnered critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations, but it was marred by controversy surrounding a bedroom scene featuring n^dty of Whiting and Hussey.
Decades later, now in their 70s, Hussey and Whiting have filed a lawsuit in Santa Monica Superior Court, accusing Paramount of exploiting them as minors and distributing inappropriate images of underage actors.
The legal complaint alleges that Zeffirelli, the late director, had initially promised the young stars that there would be no n^dty in the film and that they would wear flesh-colored undergarments during intimate scenes.
However, as filming progressed, Zeffirelli allegedly pressured them to perform n^de with the threat that the film’s success hinged on it.
At the time of filming, Hussey was only 15 years old, and Whiting was 16.
According to the lawsuit, Zeffirelli misled them by assuring that no explicit n^dty would be captured or shared in the final cut.
The legal action claims that the director breached their trust and secretly filmed the actors in the n^de without their informed consent.
Tony Marinozzi, the business manager representing both Hussey and Whiting, highlighted the disparity between what the actors were told and what actually occurred on set.
He emphasized that the young performers placed their faith in Zeffirelli’s guidance, given their age and inexperience, without any recourse to challenge such actions in the absence of movements like #MeToo during that era.
Over the past 55 years since the film’s release, Hussey and Whiting have reportedly endured psychological distress and missed out on career opportunities due to the aftermath of the controversial scene.
Despite their initial success, both actors faced limited prospects in the industry following their roles in “Romeo and Juliet.”
The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $500 million, citing the unlawful exhibition of n^de images of minors and the emotional toll inflicted upon the actors.
Solomon Gresen, the attorney representing Hussey and Whiting, underscored the vulnerability of the young stars in the 1960s, emphasizing their lack of comprehension regarding the repercussions of their sudden fame and exploitation.
The legal action leverages a California law that temporarily extends the statute of limitations for historic child abuse claims.
This provision has led to a surge in allegations against various institutions, including the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church, ahead of the deadline on December 31.
Paramount has yet to issue a public response to the lawsuit.
In a previous interview, Hussey defended the controversial scene, noting its importance for the film’s narrative and praising Zeffirelli’s handling of the sensitive material.
She acknowledged the evolving societal norms around n^dty and highlighted the divergence between American and European film cultures at that time.
