Ryan O’Neal, Hollywood actor famed for ‘Barry Lyndon’ and ‘Paper Moon’, dies aged 82
One of the enduring icons of Hollywood, actor Ryan O’Neal, known for his performances in classic movies like Love Story and Paper Moon, has died at the age of 82. O’Neal’s son has revealed the news with a touching tribute.
Patrick O’Neal wrote on Instagram that his father had died “with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us” before sharing “some feelings to give you an idea of how great a man he is.”
He added: “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,” Patrick wrote. He is a Hollywood legend. Full stop.”
O’Neal was born in Los Angeles and trained as an amateur boxer before turning to acting, coming through in a series of TV shows in the 1960s. It was Love Story that saw him catapulted into stardom, playing opposite Ali McGraw, leading to Oscar nominations.
He then performed with Barbara Streisand in What’s Up, Doc? with his daughter Tatum O’Neal in Paper Moon and for Stanley Kubrick in Barry Lyndon. O’Neal had previously been diagnosed with cancer twice, first in 2001 with leukaemia and again in 2012 with prostate cancer.
Another post by Patrick O’Neal saw the actor’s son remember his father’s impression on the film industry, writing, “He was adept at memorizing pages of dialogue in an hour. I hope he felt proud of his career but he was very humble. And boy did he love the crew on those shoots. He always treated everyone on the set so well. They loved him, I saw it first hand.”
The actor’s son concluded, “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. Farrah and Ryan. He has missed her terribly. What an embrace that must be. Together again. I’ll miss you dad. I love you. We love you.”
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