By FactsWow Team
Posted on: 04 Jan, 2023
During the 1968 revival of 'Romeo and Juliet,' directed by Franco Zeffirelli, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting were just teens when they won the hearts of audiences.
Credits: Daily Mail
A bedroom scene in the film depicted Whiting's buttocks and Hussey's bare breasts, stirred controversy, and was nominated for four Academy Awards.
Credits: Variety
Both Hussey and Whiting, in their 70s, have filed a lawsuit against Paramount, alleging sexual exploitation and the distribution of adolescent nude images.
Credits: Amazo
The suit claims that Zeffirelli, who died in 2019, promised both actors the film wouldn't contain nudity or nakedness, along with flesh-colored underwear.
Credits: Amazon
The director is alleged to have told them in the final moments that the picture would not succeed if they performed nude with body makeup.
Credits: Photos
In the complaint, Zeffirelli assured Hussey and Whiting that no nudity would be photographed or released in the film as Zeffirelli showed them where the camera would be placed.
Credits: Pinterest
He is being sued for dishonesty, claiming that Whiting and Hussey were filmed naked without their consent.
Credits: MovieWeb
Business manager for both actors, Tony Marinozzi, said, 'It was completely different what they were told and what happened.'.
Credits: Pinterest
The actors trusted Franco, and honestly, at 16, there were no options. There was no #MeToo. They took his lead. Franco was their friend, and honestly, at 16, there were no choices.
Credits: Eonline
Fifty-five years since the film's release caused Hussey and Whiting mental anguish, emotional distress, and lost employment opportunities.
Credits: Zimbio
Their roles in 'Romeo and Juliet' sparked Hussey and Whiting's careers, but they rarely acted afterward.
Credits: Pinterest
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