Ryan O’Neal, renowned for his role in the 1970 romantic film Love Story, has sadly passed away at 82, as announced by his son Patrick O’Neal on Instagram. Patrick shared that his father’s passing was peaceful.
“I have to share the difficult news that my dad passed away peacefully today, surrounded by his supportive team. He’s always been my hero,” expressed O’Neal. The cause of his death was not disclosed. In 2012, O’Neal revealed he had prostate cancer, but the prognosis was positive at that time.
In the 1970s, Ryan O’Neal gained fame as a major movie star, collaborating with renowned directors such as Peter Bogdanovich and Stanley Kubrick. He often portrayed characters with clean-cut exteriors who concealed hidden secrets or mysterious backgrounds, using his boyish and blond appearance to his advantage.
O’Neal faced legal issues over the years. In 2007, he was arrested for firing a gun during a dispute with his son, Griffin, at a party for Farrah Fawcett, his on-off partner and the mother of his youngest child, Redmond. The charges were later dropped. A year later, both O’Neal and Redmond were arrested after the police found drugs at their Malibu home.
Despite a strained relationship with his daughter Tatum for a long time, there seemed to be an improvement recently. In a July interview, Tatum discussed their challenges, saying, “He loved me but then didn’t like me because I won the Academy Award.” When asked about forgiveness, she expressed, “I don’t want him to die. I love him. I love my dad. I mean, I’ve had a hard life with my dad, but I still love him.” In April, a few months before the interview, Tatum shared a picture of herself with her dad, wishing him a happy 82nd .
birthday.
O’Neal continued his television acting career into his 70s during the 2010s, making appearances on shows like “Bones” and “Desperate Housewives.” However, his enduring relationship with Farrah Fawcett and the challenges in his family life often drew public attention.
Having been married and divorced twice, O’Neal shared a romantic bond with Fawcett that spanned nearly three decades, and they welcomed a son named Redmond in 1985. Although they separated in 1997, they later reconciled. O’Neal remained a supportive presence for Fawcett as she faced cancer, but unfortunately, she passed away in 2009 at the age of 62.
The actor faced difficulties in his relationships with three of his children, encountering estrangement with his daughter and conflicts with his son Griffin. A drug-related arrest stemming from a probation check on his son Redmond added to the family struggles. Despite attempts to reconcile with Tatum O’Neal, it resulted in a short-lived reality series.
Before securing a significant role on the TV show “Peyton Place” (1964-69), where Mia Farrow also rose to fame, O’Neal took on smaller roles and engaged in stunt work.
The film “Love Story” was a major success in 1970, earning significant box office revenue and receiving seven Oscar nominations, with a win in the Best Music category. Following the triumph of “Love Story,” Ryan O’Neal became a sought-after actor for various leading roles in Hollywood. There was even consideration for him to play Michael Corleone in “The Godfather,” but the role eventually went to Al Pacino, as insisted by director Francis Ford Coppola.
Later, O’Neal collaborated with director Peter Bogdanovich in the 1972 comedy “What’s Up, Doc?” alongside Barbra Streisand. Streisand expressed her sadness over O’Neal’s passing on Instagram, fondly remembering him as funny and charming. The next year, O’Neal starred in another Bogdanovich comedy, “Paper Moon,” set in the Great Depression.