Ryan ONeal Hollywood Icon: Hollywood has lost an icon, as Ryan ONeal the charismatic leading man who embarked on a remarkable Hollywood journey in the 1970s with his Oscar-nominated performance in the timeless romantic tearjerker Love Story, has passed away at the age of 82.
His son, Patrick ONeal, a sportscaster with Bally Sports West in Los Angeles, confirmed the news on Instagram, revealing that ONeal had been battling chronic leukemia since 2001 and prostate cancer since 2012.
In a heartfelt tribute, Patrick shared, As a human being, my father was as generous as they come. And the funniest person in any room. And the most handsome, clearly, but also the most charming. Lethal combo. He loved to make people laugh. Its pretty much his goal. Didnt matter the situation, if there was a joke to be found, he nailed it. He really wanted us laughing. And we did all laugh. Every time. We had fun. Fun in the sun.
ONeal’s journey in the 1970s included memorable performances opposite Ali MacGraw in Whats Up, Doc? (1972) and The Main Event (1979). His collaboration with his daughter, Tatum ONeal, in Peter Bogdanovichs captivating Depression-era tale, Paper Moon (1973), showcased his versatility.
The actor also took on the title role in Stanley Kubricks Barry Lyndon (1975) and starred in Nickelodeon (1976), marking his third collaboration with Bogdanovich in the decade.
Before his cinematic success, ONeal captured hearts in the role of Rodney Harrington for five seasons on the hit series Peyton Place (1964-69).
ONeal personal life made headlines, including marriages to actresses Joanna Moore and Leigh Taylor-Young. His 30-year, on-and-off relationship with Farrah Fawcett, which ended with her death in 2009, was a significant chapter in his life.
In the iconic Love Story (1970), ONeal portrayed a college student from a wealthy family who falls in love with Ali MacGraws character, leading to a heartbreaking narrative of love and loss. The film, adapted from the bestselling novel by Erich Segal, received seven Oscar nominations and grossed over $100 million at the box office.
Despite the success on screen, ONeal faced personal tragedies, losing Farrah Fawcett to cancer. Reflecting on Love Story, he said, I lost Farrah to cancer, and I just wonder [why] that played out that way for me. One was just a big deal and so successful, and then in real life it was just the opposite, a tragedy.
Ryan ONeal leaves behind a legacy of compelling performances, enduring charm, and a life well-lived. May he rest in peace.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Did Ryan o neal and Farrah Fawcett have a child together?
Actor Ryan O’Neal welcomed his youngest son, Redmond, in 1985 with actress Farrah Fawcett. The Hollywood couple was in a relationship for almost two decades, but parted ways in 1997.
What does Griffin o neal do for a living?
Griffin Patrick O’Neal, born on October 28, 1964, is a well-known American actor. He has starred in movies like The Escape Artist, April Fool’s Day, The Wraith, Assault of the Killer Bimbos, and Ghoulies III.
Where is Ryan o neal now?
Ryan O’Neal was an actor and boxer who was active from 1960 to 2017. He was married to Joanna Moore from 1963 to 1967 and Leigh Taylor-Young from 1967 to 1974. After his passing, he was laid to rest at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles, California, U.S.