Leonard Whiting, greatest recognized for his iconic position as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (1968), has remained a major determine in movie and tv. Alongside co-star Olivia Hussey, Whiting’s portrayal of the tragic younger lovers left an indelible mark on cinema.
On Friday, December 27, the world was saddened by the information of Hussey’s passing at 73. Whiting, 74, paid a heartfelt tribute to his former co-star and pricey buddy.
“Olivia, now we have shared a lot since we have been two candy harmless kids clinging onto one another for pricey life as each photograph of us attests to,” learn a remark posted on Instagram by Whiting’s spouse, Lynn, alongside a photograph shared on Hussey’s account asserting her loss of life. “You have been by no means afraid to struggle to repair all the pieces mistaken on this world.”
The tribute continued, “Relaxation now my stunning Juliet no injustices can damage you now. And the world will bear in mind your magnificence in and out endlessly. Leonard.”
Discover out extra about Whiting, his profession, web value, and extra beneath.
Who Is Leonard Whiting?
Whiting was a British actor, born on June 30, 1950, in Wooden Inexperienced, London. He gained worldwide fame on the age of 17 for his portrayal of the younger Shakespearean lover, Romeo, reverse Hussey in Romeo and Juliet. Each actors have been awarded Golden Globe Awards for ‘New Star Of The 12 months’ in 1969.
After Romeo and Juliet, Whiting’s profession continued, however he largely stepped away from the mainstream highlight. Notable initiatives from this era embody Frankenstein: The True Story and the 1975 movie Rachel’s Man. After 1975, Whiting appeared on display screen solely often, together with his most notable roles being a voice position within the 1990 animated sequence The Dreamstone and a short look in a 2015 movie.
What Is Whiting’s Web Value?
It’s unclear what Whiting’s web value is, as no dependable figures have been disclosed.
What Was Hussey’s Web Value?
As of December 2024, Hussey’s estimated net worth was $4 million, in line with Celebrity Net Worth.
Why Did Hussey and Whiting File a Lawsuit Towards Paramount?
Hussey and Whiting initially filed a lawsuit in opposition to Paramount in December 2022, claiming they have been misled by director Franco Zeffirelli into performing nude scenes at ages 16 and 17.
The unique lawsuit was dismissed in Could 2023, primarily as a result of statute of limitations. In February 2024, the actors filed a brand new go well with, arguing that the 2023 Criterion re-release, which featured a digital restoration, reset the statute of limitations. Nevertheless, this case was additionally dismissed, with the courtroom ruling that the producers had contracts with each actors, indicating they’d consented to look within the movie.
“None of Plaintiffs’ sham efforts to re-write what occurred on the set in 1967, or how they’ve comported themselves since, saves this lawsuit from the destiny of the Prior Motion,” the studio’s attorneys wrote.
How A lot Was Whiting Paid for Romeo and Juliet?
Each Whiting and Hussey have been paid lower than $3,000 for the movie, whereas Zeffirelli, beforehand recognized for steering lavish opera productions, turned rich and internationally famend.
“The impact on me was beautiful,” he wrote in his autobiography. “I had crossed over from one state into one other.”
In a 2023 interview with Selection, Hussey revealed that she and Whiting have been every paid £1,500 (roughly $2,200) and that this was the one compensation they ever obtained.
“Everybody says, ‘You should be so nicely off — you have been in a basic,’” she mentioned. “And we are saying, ‘No, we didn’t receives a commission for that.’ We acquired minimal. We have been all the time broke. I felt exploited, actually. Wanting again on all of that, Leonard and I, we felt exploited all through.”
