Life and loves of Ryan O'Neal: Late 'Love Story' actor got married only twice but had several affairs
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On Friday, December 8, 2023, Ryan O'Neal, the beloved actor, bid his final farewell at the age of 82. His son shared the news on Instagram, expressing both grief and admiration for his father, labeling him a "hero" and recounting the significant impact he had on his life.
In 2001, O'Neal faced health challenges, being diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Subsequently, in 2012, he confronted Stage 2 prostate cancer.
Charles Patrick Ryan O'Neal, born on April 20, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, was a multifaceted personality known for his prowess in acting and his earlier stint as a boxer.
His iconic role as Rodney Harrington on the ABC nighttime soap opera 'Peyton Place' catapulted him to fame. With nominations for Academy Awards and Golden Globes, O'Neal graced the silver screen in acclaimed films like 'Love Story', 'Paper Moon', 'Barry Lyndon', and 'The Driver'.
Ryan O'Neal's journey through marriages
Ryan O’Neal’s first wife was Joanna Moore
In 1963, Ryan O’Neal embarked on his journey into parenthood and marriage with actress Joanna Moore. Over four years, the couple welcomed two children, marking the beginning of the O'Neal family legacy.
Tatum O’Neal was born in 1963, and a year later, their family expanded with the arrival of their son, Griffin O’Neal. Both children worked as actors.
Ryan O’Neal’s second wife was Leigh Taylor-Young
Following his divorce from Joanna in 1967, Ryan O’Neal found lasting companionship with actress Leigh Taylor-Young. The pair remained wedded for seven years until their divorce in 1974.
During their union, Leigh and Ryan celebrated the birth of their son Patrick in 1967, offering a glimpse into a chapter of O’Neal's life that showcased both marital bliss and familial joy.
Ryan O’Neal’s relationship with Farrah Fawcett
Ryan O’Neal’s heart found its way to the late actress Farrah Fawcett in a love story that spanned over three decades.
Vanity Fair reports that Farrah ended their relationship in 1997 after finding Ryan in bed with actress Leslie Stefanson. The two rekindled their relationship twelve years later in 2009, shortly before Farrah died from cancer.
The romance, which began in 1979, weathered storms and joys until Farrah’s passing in 2009. Despite not exchanging vows, their bond was sealed with the arrival of their son, Redmond O’Neal, in 1985.
Ryan's enduring love for Farrah was evident in his heartfelt tribute on the tenth anniversary of her passing, emphasizing a love that transcended the confines of time and mortality.
“There was never a day I didn’t love her,” he told PEOPLE in 2019. Farrah was set on getting married to Ryan and even proposed marriage to her in the hospital before she passed away. She passed away on June 25, 2009.
According to TMZ, he was also romantically involved with Ursula Andress, Barbra Streisand, Bianca Jagger, Jacqueline Bisset, Joan Collins, and Diana Ross.
