Two actors are suing Paramount for appearing underage in a nude scene

Italian director Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film “Romeo and Juliet” earned both actors a Golden Globe. More than 50 years later, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting are now suing Paramount for the triple-digit million sum. The accusation: sexual exploitation.

In the film, the two can be seen naked for a moment. Snappy: They were only 15 and 16 years old when they were filming. The lawsuit, filed in California, alleges that the late director urged them to perform the nude scene and assured them that they would not be naked in front of the camera, but in tan underwear. Zeffirelli pressured him by saying the film would fail without this scene.

The two accusers, the indictment continues, were secretly filmed nude or partially nude. They are therefore seeking damages of several hundred million dollars – after all, they have suffered mental anguish and emotional pain since the film came out. They also believe that the recordings are a reason for their later still modest professional success.

In a 2018 interview with Variety magazine, Hussey defended the nude scene, insisting it was very tastefully done. She also supported the justification that the scene was “necessary for the movie”. She also told Fox News that same year, “It wasn’t a big deal. I totally forgot I was naked.”

(ann)