‘Romeo and Juliet’ Stars Sue Paramount

for Child Abuse Over Nude Scene in 1968 Film

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting were just teenagers when they electrified audiences in the 1968 version of “Romeo and Juliet,” directed by Franco Zeffirelli.  

Film was a hit

but it also stirred controversy over a bedroom scene which included images of Whiting’s buttocks and Hussey’s bare breasts.

Now in their 70s,

Hussey and Whiting filed a lawsuit in Santa Monica Superior Court on Friday, accusing Paramount of sexually exploiting them and distributing nude images of adolescent children. 

White Bag

SIMPLE BUT BOLD

Hussey was 15 at the time and Whiting was 16. According to the complaint, Zeffirelli showed them where the camera would be positioned

said Tony Marinozzi

“What they were told and what went on were two different things,”

At 16, as actors, they took his lead that he would not violate that trust they had. Franco was their friend, and frankly, at 16, what do they do? There are no options. There was no #MeToo.” 

Hussey and Whiting have suffered mental anguish and emotional distress in the 55 years since the film’s release

“Nude images of minors are unlawful and shouldn’t be exhibited,” said the actors’ attorney, Solomon Gresen, in an interview.

All of a sudden they were famous at a level they never expected, and in addition they were violated in a way they didn’t know how to deal with.” 

Hussey defended the nude scene