Hollywood Actor Ryan O’Neal passes away at 82
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Ryan O'Neal, the Hollywood heartthrob who stole the hearts of millions with his performances in iconic films like Paper Moon and Love Story, has passed away at the age of 82.
His final days, marked by frailty and spent in a wheelchair, serve as a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
The news of O'Neal's passing was shared by his son, Patrick, on social media.
'So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say, but here we go,’ he wrote.
'My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us.’
The actor's daughter, Tatum O'Neal, also expressed her sorrow, stating, ‘I feel great sorrow with my father's passing.
‘He meant the world to me. I loved him very much and know he loved me too. I'll miss him forever, and I feel very lucky that we ended on such good terms.'
O'Neal's final public appearance was on 6 November 2023, where he was seen being assisted by two caretakers into his vehicle from a wheelchair.
Born in Los Angeles, O'Neal began his acting career in the 1960s with guest roles on TV shows like Bachelor Father, My Three Sons, and Leave It To Beaver.
His breakthrough came with the nighttime TV series Peyton Place, where he played the role of Rodney Harrington. His performance caught the attention of Hollywood, and soon he was starring in films.
O'Neal's film career took off in the 1970s.
In 1970, he played an Olympic athlete in The Games.
He later had roles in films like Paper Moon, where he starred alongside his daughter Tatum, for which he earned a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor–Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and was voted as the second-most-popular star of 1973 in the United States.
He also starred in Love Story, for which he received a Best Actor Oscar nomination despite many not having faith in it as it was a slow and tear-jerking story.
Before the film came out, O’Neal wished fans would like Love Story.
‘I hope the young people like it,' O'Neal said. 'I don't want to go back to TV.'
He then made a role in the TV movie Love Hate Love and the Western Wild Rovers with William Holden.
He also worked with some of the top female stars of his day, including Barbra Streisand in What’s Up, Doc? and The Main Event and Marisa Berenson on Barry Lyndon.
He also starred in the comedy Nickolodeon with Burt Reynolad and Tatum O’Neal, followed by A Bridge Too Far.
Despite his success, O'Neal's personal life was marked by high-profile relationships and tumultuous affairs.
O’Neal married his first wife, Joanna Moore, in 1963. They had two children before separating in 1966, with O’Neal having custody of their children.
He married his second wife, actress Leigh Taylor-Young. They had a son together before they divorced in 1974.
His relationship with Charlie's Angels actress Farrah Fawcett came after and spanned decades—from 1979 to 1997—though they never married.
They had a son, Redmond, who has had his own struggles with the law.
He is survived by four children: Tatum O'Neal and Griffin O'Neal with Joanna Moore, Patrick O'Neal with Leigh Taylor-Young, and Redmond James Fawcett O'Neal with Fawcett.
O’Neal also had five grandchildren.
His son, Patrick O’Neal, posted a lengthy note about his father with a photo of a beach at sunset.
O'Neal's passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow actors and fans alike. Barbra Streisand, Mia Farrow, and Sharon Stone were among those who shared their condolences and memories of the late actor.
Streisand took to social media upon hearing the heartbreaking news, along with a shared black and white photo of them together as a pair.
‘So sad to hear the news of Ryan O'Neal's passing. We made two films together, What's Up, Doc? and The Main Event. He was funny and charming, and he will be remembered,’ Streisand wrote.
‘Rest in peace, dear Ryan,’ Farrow said as she also uploaded throwback images.
‘It's with deep sadness I post this. RIP Ryan O'Neal,' Stone wrote on her social media with O’Neal’s black and white photo from his later years, adding a heart emoji.
Despite these challenges, O'Neal left a legacy of memorable performances and a significant impact on Hollywood. His passing is a loss for the film industry and many fans who admired his work.
As we remember Ryan O'Neal, let us celebrate his life and career. His passing is a loss for Hollywood, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of his fans and the history of cinema.
Our hearts go to the O’Neal family. Rest in peace, Ryan.
His final days, marked by frailty and spent in a wheelchair, serve as a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
The news of O'Neal's passing was shared by his son, Patrick, on social media.
'So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say, but here we go,’ he wrote.
'My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us.’
Hollywood actor Ryan O’Neal passed away at 82. Credit: @ryan_o_neal / Instagram
The actor's daughter, Tatum O'Neal, also expressed her sorrow, stating, ‘I feel great sorrow with my father's passing.
‘He meant the world to me. I loved him very much and know he loved me too. I'll miss him forever, and I feel very lucky that we ended on such good terms.'
O'Neal's final public appearance was on 6 November 2023, where he was seen being assisted by two caretakers into his vehicle from a wheelchair.
Born in Los Angeles, O'Neal began his acting career in the 1960s with guest roles on TV shows like Bachelor Father, My Three Sons, and Leave It To Beaver.
His breakthrough came with the nighttime TV series Peyton Place, where he played the role of Rodney Harrington. His performance caught the attention of Hollywood, and soon he was starring in films.
O'Neal's film career took off in the 1970s.
In 1970, he played an Olympic athlete in The Games.
He later had roles in films like Paper Moon, where he starred alongside his daughter Tatum, for which he earned a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor–Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and was voted as the second-most-popular star of 1973 in the United States.
He also starred in Love Story, for which he received a Best Actor Oscar nomination despite many not having faith in it as it was a slow and tear-jerking story.
Before the film came out, O’Neal wished fans would like Love Story.
‘I hope the young people like it,' O'Neal said. 'I don't want to go back to TV.'
He then made a role in the TV movie Love Hate Love and the Western Wild Rovers with William Holden.
He also worked with some of the top female stars of his day, including Barbra Streisand in What’s Up, Doc? and The Main Event and Marisa Berenson on Barry Lyndon.
He also starred in the comedy Nickolodeon with Burt Reynolad and Tatum O’Neal, followed by A Bridge Too Far.
Despite his success, O'Neal's personal life was marked by high-profile relationships and tumultuous affairs.
O’Neal married his first wife, Joanna Moore, in 1963. They had two children before separating in 1966, with O’Neal having custody of their children.
He married his second wife, actress Leigh Taylor-Young. They had a son together before they divorced in 1974.
His relationship with Charlie's Angels actress Farrah Fawcett came after and spanned decades—from 1979 to 1997—though they never married.
They had a son, Redmond, who has had his own struggles with the law.
He is survived by four children: Tatum O'Neal and Griffin O'Neal with Joanna Moore, Patrick O'Neal with Leigh Taylor-Young, and Redmond James Fawcett O'Neal with Fawcett.
O’Neal also had five grandchildren.
His son, Patrick O’Neal, posted a lengthy note about his father with a photo of a beach at sunset.
O'Neal's passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow actors and fans alike. Barbra Streisand, Mia Farrow, and Sharon Stone were among those who shared their condolences and memories of the late actor.
Streisand took to social media upon hearing the heartbreaking news, along with a shared black and white photo of them together as a pair.
‘So sad to hear the news of Ryan O'Neal's passing. We made two films together, What's Up, Doc? and The Main Event. He was funny and charming, and he will be remembered,’ Streisand wrote.
‘Rest in peace, dear Ryan,’ Farrow said as she also uploaded throwback images.
Ryan O’Neal’s on-screen partners, Barbra Streisand (left) and Mia Farrow (right), expressed their sadness about his passing. Merged photo credit: Seniors Discount Club
‘It's with deep sadness I post this. RIP Ryan O'Neal,' Stone wrote on her social media with O’Neal’s black and white photo from his later years, adding a heart emoji.
Despite these challenges, O'Neal left a legacy of memorable performances and a significant impact on Hollywood. His passing is a loss for the film industry and many fans who admired his work.
Our hearts go to the O’Neal family. Rest in peace, Ryan.
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