Golden Globe profitable actor, 74, appears to be like unrecognisable 57-years after controversial function catapulted him to stardom – can YOU guess who he’s?
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This Golden Globe winning actor looked unrecognisable a whopping 57-years after his iconic role captured him to stardom.
The 74-year-old wrapped up warm in a black duffel coat which she layered over jeans while stepping out in North London.
He was was awarded the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year in 1969 for his role as one of Shakespeare’s most famous young lovers in a controversial adaptation.
Directed by the legendary movie maker Franco Zeffirelli, the actor left school before his 17th birthday to begin work alongside 15-year-old co-star Olivia Hussey, who he briefly dated, and remained close to until her death last month.
He later went on to appear in The Royal Hunt Of The Sun with Christopher Plummer and reunited with Olivia in 2015 for romantic drama Social Suicide, which was inspired by the very film that made them both famous.
But can you guess who he is?
This Golden Globe winning actor looked unrecognisable a whopping 57-years after his iconic role that captured him to stardom – can you guess who he is?
He was was awarded the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year in 1969 for his role as one of Shakespeare’s famous young lovers
Of course it’s Leonard Whiting who was catapulted to world wide fame as Romeo Montague in the 1968 big screen adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.
The distinguished actor was spotted on the rare outing this week with wife Lynn Presser, whom he married in 1995.
The controversial adaptation of Romeo and Juliet was a box office success at the time of its release in theatres.
The film also received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. It ended up winning two for Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography.
Olivia also received a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer – Female and was also honoured with the David di Donatello Award for her performance.
Back in late 2022, both co-stars sued Paramount over underage nude scenes in Romeo And Juliet.
In the lawsuit, the two stars claimed that they had been misled by the director to disrobe for nude scenes that were shown in the final cut of the film.
A judge dismissed the case who found the claims that the movie depicts sexual acts as a ‘gross mischaracterization.’
Of course it’s Leonard Whiting who was catapulted to fame as Romeo Montague in the 1968 big screen adaptation of Romeo and Juliet (right pictured in the movie)
Directed by the legendary movie maker Franco Zeffirelli, the actor left school before his 17th birthday to begin work alongside 15-year-old co-star Olivia Hussey
The distinguished actor was spotted on the rare outing in London with wife Lynn Presser whom he married in 1995
Leonard wrapped up warm in a black duffel coat which she layered over jeans
Lenoard (L) appeared in high spirits when he later chatted with a pal
Director Franco Zeffirelli passed away in 2019, and his son Pippo Zeffirelli responded to the lawsuit in 2023, per Deadline.
‘It is embarrassing to hear that today, 55 years after filming, two elderly actors who owe their notoriety essentially to this film wake up to declare that they have suffered an abuse that has caused them years of anxiety and emotional discomfort.’
Olivia and Leonard filed another lawsuit but a few months earlier in October of this year, the case was dismissed a second time in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
It comes after Olivia’s loved ones announced she passed away ‘peacefully at home’ last month just two days after Christmas.
Alongside a throwback image of the actress, the family labeled her a ‘remarkable person’ who had ‘lived a life full of passion.’
As well as Romeo and Juliet she also made appearances in over 50 projects in the span of six decades, such as in Black Christmas (1974) and Death On The Nile (1978).
The caption of the post shared by her loved ones read: ‘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.’
‘One day I just said, “I don’t know about being a nun. I like pretending to be a nun. Maybe if I was an actress, I could pretend to be a nun and still be me.”‘
Back in late 2022, both co-stars sued Paramount over underage nude scenes in Romeo And Juliet
The film also received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. It ended up winning two for Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography
The co-stars briefly dated and remained close to until her death last month (pictured together in 2018)
Olivia’s loved ones announced she passed away ‘peacefully at home’ last month just two days after Christmas
Alongside a throwback image of the actress, the family labeled her a ‘remarkable person’ who had ‘lived a life full of passion’
At the age of 13, the star continued to pursue her passion and began acting on the stage.
In 1966, she appeared in the London production of The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie alongside actress Vanessa Redgrave.
During her past interview with The Guardian in 2018, Olivia reflected on her role in the 1968 film.
‘I loved playing Juliet,’ she expressed. ‘The only part I didn’t like was all the PR. It was exhausting, and I was this wild little thing.’
TCM and Filmstruck host Alicia Malone said of the film’s success, per Variety, ‘I think one of the major reasons this film was such a success is because you have two young actors at the center of it.’
‘Olivia Hussey was 15 and Leonard Whiting was 17. They were very much close to the ages of the actual Romeo and Juliet.’
‘I think it brought the young audiences into the cinema to see Shakespeare when they may not have beforehand. It feels very fresh, very authentic. Also, with Zeffirelli shooting on location [in Italy] adds another layer of authenticity.’
