Tatum O'Neal Mourns Father Ryan O'Neal's Passing: A Profound Sense of Grief

Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

Tatum O’Neal is mourning the loss of her father, Ryan O’Neal, following this death.

After Ryan's passing was confirmed on Friday, December 8, Tatum, 60, expressed deep sorrow: "He meant the world to me. I loved him very much and know he loved me too. I'll miss him forever and I feel very lucky that we ended on such good terms." Ryan's eldest son, Patrick O'Neal, confirmed the actor's peaceful passing at age 82 earlier that day, expressing gratitude for the loving team that supported and cared for his father.

Ryan O'Neal, my father, has always been my hero. I admired and looked up to him, as he seemed larger-than-life. When I came into the world in 1967, my dad was already a well-known TV star on Peyton Place. It was there that he met my mother, Leigh Taylor-Young, and shortly after, I was born. I see my father as a Hollywood legend. End of story. His name "Ryan" became even more popular after his role in the 1970 film Love Story, which not only saved Paramount Studios but also earned him a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Patrick praised Ryan for his exceptional skills, strong work ethic, and passion for acting. He also highlighted Ryan's intelligence, love for reading, and dedication to journaling. Patrick closed his message by expressing that his father lived a remarkable life and had earned bragging rights in heaven. His heartfelt tribute ended with a declaration of love and a profound sense of loss.

Ryan, known for his roles in Paper Moon, Love Story, Peyton Place, The Driver and more, was the father of four children: Tatum and son Griffin O’Neal, whom he welcomed with first wife Joanna Moore in 1963 and 1964, respectively; Patrick, 56, whom he shared with ex-wife Leigh Taylor-Young; and Redmond O’Neal, whom he welcomed with Farrah Fawcett in 1985. (Ryan and Farrah were romantically linked for 30 years until her death in 2009.)

Ryan's tumultuous relationship with his children made frequent headlines. He had publicized conflicts with Griffin in 1983 and 2007, as well as a 2008 arrest with his son Redmond for drug possession. His relationship with daughter Tatum was also strained as she dealt with her own addiction battles. In a 2011 clip from their short-lived reality show, Ryan and Tatum: The O'Neals, Tatum expressed her realization of the importance of family, stating, "What is your life without your family? What's your life without a father?"

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In September 2020, the couple finally reunited, together with her three children: Kevin, 37, Sean, 36, and Emily, 32, from her previous marriage to John McEnroe. Sean expressed his joy on Instagram, calling their reunion one of the most memorable moments of his life. He shared that the last time they were all together was in 2003, and expressed gratitude that they were able to come together again after many years of hardship, stating that if the O'Neals could reconcile, anything is possible.