Photo: fotos International/Getty
Ryan O’Neal,whose career in Hollywood took off in the 1960s with a role onPeyton Placeand catapulted into fame as the handsome Harvard-bound leading man inLove Story,has died at the age of 82.From his soap opera beginnings to Oscar nomination, O’Neal’s work spanned decades; along the way he became a father to four children. Later in life, O’Neal was diagnosed with chronic leukemia in 2001 and with prostate cancer in 2012. His son, Patrick O’Neal, said his dad “passed away peacefully” Dec. 8.Take a look back at Ryan O’Neal’s life through his early roles, career-defining milestones, family history and rollercoaster relationships.
Ryan O’Neal,whose career in Hollywood took off in the 1960s with a role onPeyton Placeand catapulted into fame as the handsome Harvard-bound leading man inLove Story,has died at the age of 82.
From his soap opera beginnings to Oscar nomination, O’Neal’s work spanned decades; along the way he became a father to four children. Later in life, O’Neal was diagnosed with chronic leukemia in 2001 and with prostate cancer in 2012. His son, Patrick O’Neal, said his dad “passed away peacefully” Dec. 8.
Take a look back at Ryan O’Neal’s life through his early roles, career-defining milestones, family history and rollercoaster relationships.
01of 09Ryan O’Neal’s Early DaysTatum O’Neal, Joanna Moore and Ryan O’Neal.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via GettyBorn in Los Angeles in 1941 to screenwriter Charles and actress Patricia, O’Neal broke into acting while living in Germany in high school and returned to L.A. to start his career. His big break came in 1964 with a role onPeyton Place, and stardom soon followed.O’Neal was married twice in his life, first in 1963 to actress Joanna Moore (pictured here with their daughter Tatum) with whom he had daughter Tatum and son Griffin; they separated in 1966 and O’Neal eventually got custody of their children due to Moore’s issues with addiction.In 1967, he wed Leigh Taylor-Young, with whom he shared son Patrick. They split in 1974.
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Ryan O’Neal’s Early Days
Tatum O’Neal, Joanna Moore and Ryan O’Neal.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Born in Los Angeles in 1941 to screenwriter Charles and actress Patricia, O’Neal broke into acting while living in Germany in high school and returned to L.A. to start his career. His big break came in 1964 with a role onPeyton Place, and stardom soon followed.
O’Neal was married twice in his life, first in 1963 to actress Joanna Moore (pictured here with their daughter Tatum) with whom he had daughter Tatum and son Griffin; they separated in 1966 and O’Neal eventually got custody of their children due to Moore’s issues with addiction.
In 1967, he wed Leigh Taylor-Young, with whom he shared son Patrick. They split in 1974.
02of 09Ryan O’Neal’s Daughter Tatum Is His Costar – and an Oscar WinnerRyan O’Neal and Tatum O’Neal.Lotz/ullstein bild via GettyIn 1973, O’Neal starred inPaper Moonwith his daughter Tatum, with the two playing a pair of father-daughter con artists. Young Tatum’s performance would earn her an Academy Award — making her the youngest person ever to do so, at age 10.
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Ryan O’Neal’s Daughter Tatum Is His Costar – and an Oscar Winner
Ryan O’Neal and Tatum O’Neal.Lotz/ullstein bild via Getty
In 1973, O’Neal starred inPaper Moonwith his daughter Tatum, with the two playing a pair of father-daughter con artists. Young Tatum’s performance would earn her an Academy Award — making her the youngest person ever to do so, at age 10.
03of 09Ryan O’Neal’s Relationship with Farrah FawcettFarrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal.REP/IMAGES/GettyO’Neal’s romance with Farrah Fawcett was tumultuous and full of heartbreak, buttheir love storynever truly ended, even after the actress died at age 62 in 2009. The actor continued to profess his unwavering passion for theCharlie’s Angelsstar, with whom he welcomed their son Redmond in 1985.“There was never a day I didn’t love her,” Ryan told PEOPLE on the10-year anniversaryof Fawcett’s death.
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Ryan O’Neal’s Relationship with Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal.REP/IMAGES/Getty
REP/IMAGES/Getty
O’Neal’s romance with Farrah Fawcett was tumultuous and full of heartbreak, buttheir love storynever truly ended, even after the actress died at age 62 in 2009. The actor continued to profess his unwavering passion for theCharlie’s Angelsstar, with whom he welcomed their son Redmond in 1985.
“There was never a day I didn’t love her,” Ryan told PEOPLE on the10-year anniversaryof Fawcett’s death.
04of 09Ryan O’Neal in ‘Love Story’Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw in ‘Love Story’.Bettmann/GettyRyan andAli MacGrawmade cinematic history with the 1970 romantic drama, which earned them both Oscar nominations. During their shared star ceremony, the former costars reflected on the massive success ofLove Story, and MacGraw praised Ryan as a screen partner.“I have to say that the great joy was that I was lucky enough to work with Ryan on this film. From the second we met it was just wonderful,” she said during their double ceremony. “I have rarely had an experience in my long working life that was as joyful as this."
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Ryan O’Neal in ‘Love Story’
Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw in ‘Love Story’.Bettmann/Getty
Bettmann/Getty
Ryan andAli MacGrawmade cinematic history with the 1970 romantic drama, which earned them both Oscar nominations. During their shared star ceremony, the former costars reflected on the massive success ofLove Story, and MacGraw praised Ryan as a screen partner.
“I have to say that the great joy was that I was lucky enough to work with Ryan on this film. From the second we met it was just wonderful,” she said during their double ceremony. “I have rarely had an experience in my long working life that was as joyful as this."
05of 09Ryan O’Neal’s Lasting FriendshipsAli MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal.SGranitz/WireimageIn 2002, Ryan reunited with hisLove Storycostar at the Academy Awards where the film’s director, Arthur Hiller, was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.In 2021, both MacGraw and Ryangot their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Famein honor of the film’s 50th anniversary.
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Ryan O’Neal’s Lasting Friendships
Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal.SGranitz/Wireimage
In 2002, Ryan reunited with hisLove Storycostar at the Academy Awards where the film’s director, Arthur Hiller, was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
In 2021, both MacGraw and Ryangot their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Famein honor of the film’s 50th anniversary.
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Ryan O’Neal’s Hollywood Success
Art Zelin/Getty
07of 09Ryan O’Neal Showed Support for Farrah Fawcett After Her DeathRyan O’Neal.GettyOn numerous occasions, Ryan stepped out to support the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, which the actress launched in in 2007. Here, Ryan is seen at the organization’s Tex-Mex Fiesta in 2017 in L.A.Fawcett and O’Neal reconnected after a long separation when he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001, and he took care of her throughout her final few years with anal cancer until her death in 2009;
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Ryan O’Neal Showed Support for Farrah Fawcett After Her Death
Ryan O’Neal.Getty
Getty
On numerous occasions, Ryan stepped out to support the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, which the actress launched in in 2007. Here, Ryan is seen at the organization’s Tex-Mex Fiesta in 2017 in L.A.
Fawcett and O’Neal reconnected after a long separation when he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001, and he took care of her throughout her final few years with anal cancer until her death in 2009;
08of 09Ryan O’Neal’s Relationship with His ChildrenThe star and his children shared difficulties throughout the years, including Tatum’sbattle with drug addiction and long estrangement from her father,Griffin’s own addiction strugglesand Ryan’sshared arrest with son Redmond for drug possession,among other things. In recent years,members of the family had begun attempting to repair their fractured relationship.
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Ryan O’Neal’s Relationship with His Children
The star and his children shared difficulties throughout the years, including Tatum’sbattle with drug addiction and long estrangement from her father,Griffin’s own addiction strugglesand Ryan’sshared arrest with son Redmond for drug possession,among other things. In recent years,members of the family had begun attempting to repair their fractured relationship.
09of 09Ryan O’Neal’s Last YearsRyan O’Neal and his family.ryan o’neal familyIn September 2020, Ryanreunited with his daughter Tatumand her three kids — Sean, 36, Emily, 32, and Kevin McEnroe, 37 — whom she shares with former tennis pro John McEnroe.Sean shared an Instagram post fromtheir special moment at home. He included a throwback photo from the last time all five family members were together, at the 30th anniversary of Tatum and Ryan’s 1973 dramedyPaper Moon.“This is one of the most memorable photos of my life,” Sean began in his caption. “I could cry tears of gratitude that everyone in this photo is still alive and that we were all able to come together again after so many years of hardship.”
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Ryan O’Neal’s Last Years
Ryan O’Neal and his family.ryan o’neal family
ryan o’neal family
In September 2020, Ryanreunited with his daughter Tatumand her three kids — Sean, 36, Emily, 32, and Kevin McEnroe, 37 — whom she shares with former tennis pro John McEnroe.
Sean shared an Instagram post fromtheir special moment at home. He included a throwback photo from the last time all five family members were together, at the 30th anniversary of Tatum and Ryan’s 1973 dramedyPaper Moon.
“This is one of the most memorable photos of my life,” Sean began in his caption. “I could cry tears of gratitude that everyone in this photo is still alive and that we were all able to come together again after so many years of hardship.”
source: people.com
