Ryan O’Neal dies at 82: Paper Moon and Love Story actor who was with Farrah Fawcett for decades passes away ‘peacefully’ reveals his son Patrick: ‘He was bigger than life’

Hollywood actor Ryan O’Neal has died at the age of 82.

His son Patrick shared the sad news on social media on Friday afternoon. ‘So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say but here we go,’ he began.

‘My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us.’

O’Neal was best known for his movies in the 1970s which included Paper Moon, which he starred in with his daughter Tatum O’Neal.

He also worked with some of the top female stars of his day such as Barbra Streisand on What’s Up, Doc, and also The Main Event, and Marisa Berenson on Barry Lyndon.

Ryan was nominated in 1970 for a Best Actor Oscar for his blockbuster film Love Story with Ali MacGraw.

Hollywood actor Ryan O’Neal has died at the age of 82. His son Patrick shared the sad news on social media on Friday afternoon

His son Patrick shared the sad news on social media on Friday afternoon. ‘So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say but here we go,’ he began. ‘My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us’

Ryan was also known for his high-profile relationship to Charlie’s Angels actress Farrah Fawcett which lasted decades; they never wed.

The two were partners from 1979 to 1997 after he stole the bubbly blonde beauty away from her husband, Lee Majors of The Six Million Dollar Man fame.

Together they had a son named Redmond who had trouble with the law, even serving time in jail. 

O’Neal was jailed in 2009 after he was found in possession of heroin during a routine security check at the Pitchess Detention Center, California. He was behind bars when his mother died from cancer in June, 2009.

O’Neal also romanced Ursula Andress, Bianca Jagger, Jacqueline Bisset, Streisand, Joan Collins and Diana Ross.

Ryan is survived by four children and five grandchildren.

His son posted a lengthy note with the photo of a sunset at the beach.

‘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.

‘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. 

Ryan was nominated in 1970 for a Best Actor Oscar for his blockbuster film Love Story with Ali MacGraw.

The film was a massive hit thanks to the chemistry between Ryan and Ali

He also worked with some of the top female stars of the day like Barbra Streisand on What’s Up, Doc (seen here in 1972), and The Main Event

‘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).’

Ryan was also known for his high-profile relationship to Charlie’s Angels actress Farrah Fawcett which lasted decades; they never wed. The two were partners from 1979 to 1997. Seen in 2004

They were the power couple of their day; seen in NYC in 1983

O’Neal attends the Farrah Fawcett 5th Anniversary Reception at the Farrah Fawcett Foundation on June 25, 2014 in Beverly Hills

Ryan began acting in the 1960s and landed his big breakthrough role on the TV series Peyton Place as he played Rodney Harrington. 

Soon after Hollywood snapped him up for film roles, as he had the looks and charisma to carry a film. 

In 1970, he played an Olympic athlete in The Games. 

He was then recommended for the lead in the romantic drama Love Story (1970), which not many had faith in as it was a slow and sad story.

But his chemistry with Ali was so strong that fans went wild for the sob story.

‘I hope the young people like it,’ O’Neal said before the film came out. ‘I don’t want to go back to TV.’

O’Neal played Rodney Harrington on the 1964 series Peyton Place

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