Ryan O’Neal, ‘Paper Moon’ and ‘Love Story’ actor dies at 82, son Patrick O’Neal pens heartfelt tribute

Hollywood has lost another acting stalwart with Ryan O’Neal’s sad demise. The Love Story, What’s Up, Doc? and Paper Moon star passed away at the age of 82 on Friday. As confirmed by his family. Known for his breakthrough performances in the 1970s, Ryan O’Neal also got nominated for the Oscars for Lovestory.

Remembering Ryan O’Neal

Ryan O’Neal has been suffering from chronic leukemia since 2001 and was also battling prostate cancer after getting diagnosed in 2012. His death was confirmed by his son Patrick O’ Neal on his social media account.

Taking to his Instagram, Patrick O’Neal shared a long heartfelt tribute to the legacy he carried and how he’s now in heaven at peace. “This is just so hard for us. Ryan made such an impact and this will be difficult without him. This is and will be a huge void in our lives”.

Apart from Patrick, O’Neal was also a father to actress Tatum O’Neal, Redmond O’Neal, and Griffith O’Neal.

“My dad was 82, and lived a kick-ass life. I hope the first thing he brags about in Heaven is how he sparred 2 rounds with Joe Frazier in 1966, on national TV, with Muhammad Ali doing the commentary, and went toe to toe with Smokin’ Joe,” part of his tribute wrote.

Ryan O’Neal’s breathtaking performance was lauded for the multiple Oscar-nominated film and one of the highest grossers of the time, Lovestory.

Shining in the 1970s and 80s for his performances, Ryan O’Neal also starred in The Wild Rovers, The Thief, Oliver’s Story, and Peter Bogdanovich’s absurd comedy What’s Up, Doc? The actor reunited with Bogdanovich in another critically acclaimed film, Paper Moon and that film and characters were more significant to the latter as it also featured his young daughter, Tatum, alongside him.

O’Neal was previously married and separated from actress Joana Moore and Leigh Taylor-Young with both of whom he also shared his children. However, both his marriages resulted in divorce after which he was in an on-off relationship with Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett before her death in in 2009. Although they never married, they had a son together, Redmond.