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Actor Ryan O’Neal famous for his roles in “Love Story” and “What’s Up Doc?” has passed away at 82.
He’s actress Tatum O’Neal’s father, and the two starred in the 1973 film “Paper Moon.”
The actor was also known for his decades-long relationship with “Charlie’s Angels” actress Farrah Fawcett. O’Neal published a memoir in 2012 “Both of Us: My Life With Farrah.”
He passed away on Friday, according to a lengthy three-post tribute on Instagram from his son Patrick O’Neal.
“So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say but here we go. My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us,” Patrick wrote on Friday to the social media platform. “This is very difficult for my wife Summer and I, but I will share some feelings to give you an idea of how great a man he is.”
The actor was diagnosed with chronic leukemia in 2001 and with prostate cancer in 2012, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“My father Ryan O’Neal has always been my hero. I looked up to him and he was always bigger than life. When I was born in 1967 my dad was already a TV star on ‘Peyton Place.’ That’s where he met my mom Leigh Taylor-Young, and about nine months later (give or take a date night or two) I was born. My dad became an international movie star with ‘Love Story’ at the beginning of the 1970s, a decade he absolutely crushed by starring in movies like ‘What’s Up, Doc?,’ ‘Paper Moon,’ ‘Barry Lyndon,’ ‘A Bridge Too Far,’ ‘The Main Event,’ and ‘The Driver.’”
Born Patrick Ryan O’Neal, he was born in Los Angeles on April 20, 1941 as the oldest son of novelist-screenwriter Charles “Blackie” O’Neal and actress Patricia Callaghan. As his career took him to great heights, his struggles with substance abuse did make headlines.
However, Patrick let it me known that didn’t define his father.
“I will share my father’s legacy forever. I will not be deterred from outside voices that say negative things. If you choose to talk s–t about my dad, even though you have no clue what you are talking about, you will get called out. If you go that route, I recommend you take a good look in the mirror first,” he explained.
“My dad was 82, and lived a kick-a– life. I hope the first thing he brags about in Heaven is how he sparred two rounds with Joe Frazier in 1966, on national TV, with Muhammad Ali doing the commentary, and went toe-to toe with Smokin’ Joe. YouTube has it and trust me, it’s so awesome,” he continued. “Ryan by a majority decision. He loved boxing. And hitting the bag. My dad is a proud member of the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame.”
O’Neal leaves behind his four children.
His children Tatum O’Neal and Griffin O’Neal he had with his first wife, actress Joanna Moore. He then had Patrick O’Neal with his second wife Leigh Taylor-Young. He and Fawcett had son, Redmond James Fawcett.
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