Love Story actor and Farrah Fawcett's longtime partner Ryan O'Neal dies
Ryan O'Neal has died at the age of 82.
The Hollywood actor, who was the longtime partner of Farrah Fawcett, passed away peacefully on Friday. His cause of death is unknown.
He was last seen on November 6 2023 in Brentwood, California being helped into a vehicle from a wheelchair.
His devastated son Patrick announced the news of his father's passing on social media.
He said: "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."
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He continued: "This is very difficult for my wife Summer and I, but I will share some feelings to give you an idea of the great an idea of how great a man he is.
"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 9 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 1970’s, 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.
"'He is a Hollywood legend. Full stop. The growth spurt of the first name Ryan can be traced back to my dad. That’s a fact.
"He was Rodney Harrington on Peyton Place 3 days a week (he starred in 500 shows over 5 years) and then of course the name Ryan peaked after Love Story (the film that saved Paramount Studios and earned my dad a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame)."
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Ryan O'Neal has passed away peacefully (FilmMagic)
Ryan O'Neal starred in Love Story (Getty Images)O'Neal was a huge Hollywood heartthrob in his youth and had a wealth of film and televison credits under his belt.
Some of his acting credits included: Paper Moon, What's Up Doc, Barry Lyndon, A Bridge Too Far, The Main Event and The Driver. Ryan starred alongside his daughter Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon.
He also had an Oscar nod during his film career, seeing him nominated for Best Actor for 1970's Love Story.
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Undoubtedly his off-screen life garnered as much attention as his movie credits, as he dated Farrah Fawcett for 18 years, from 1979-1997, and the pair had a famously turbulent relationship.
Farrah and Ryan reportedly met after her ex Lee Majors, who was friends with Ryan, suggested they get together when he was out of town. Farrah and Lee divorced in 1981.
Ryan and Farah's volatile relationship was rocked by rumours of infidelity and career missteps. The pair also welcomed a son together, Redmond O'Neal, now 38, (Farrah's only child).
Ryan O'Neal and his daughter Tatum O'Neal at The Runaways premiere (FilmMagic)
Ryan in Love Story, which he received an Oscar nomination for (Getty Images)The pair began rekindled their relationship in 2001, when Sam was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Speaking about starting up again, Ryan said: "We started over again, and this time we built it in a way that had foundation and trust. Our son was happy. And Farrah was mature. She didn't get mad at me so easily."
While doctors were able to control Sam's cancer, Farrah wasn't quite so fortunate and died in 2009 at the age of 62, three years after being diagnosed with with anal cancer. Their son was in jail when Farrah died after he was found in possession of heroin during a routine security check at the Pitchess Detention centre in California.
Heartbroken Ryan struggled after Farrah's death. In 2012, he published Both of Us: My Life With Farrah, which was the same year he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Ryan said writing the book was "cathartic" for him and it gave him the opportunity to "paint a clearer picture to everyone, including me".
Speaking about his dad, Patrick shared that Ryan never boasted about dating one of Hollywood's hottest pin-ups of all time.
He revealed: "Ryan never bragged, but he has bragging rights in Heaven. Especially when it comes to Farrah. Everyone had the poster, he had the real McCoy. And now they meet again."
As well as Farrah, Ryan is reported to have dated other famous stars, including Bianca Jagger, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Joan Collins and Ursula Andress.
He was married to actress Joanna Moore in 1963 and they had two children ahead of separating in 1966.
His second marriage was to actress Leigh-Taylor Young and the pair also welcomed a child. They divorced in 1974 and reportedly remained good friends.
Speaking about his marriages, O'Neal previously said: "I got married at 21, and I was not a real mature 21. My first child was born when I was 22. I was a man's man; I didn't discover women until I was married, and then it was too late."
Ahead of his acting career, Ryan, full name Charles Ryan Patrick O'Neal, trained as an amateur boxer. He is survived by four children and five grandchildren.
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