Oscar-nominated actor Ryan O'Neal died of 'congestive heart failure' at 82, death certificate reveals

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Ryan O'Neal's cause of death has finally been revealed. The Oscar-nominated actor died "peacefully” on December 8 at the age of 82, due to “congestive heart failure” according to a death certificate obtained by The Blast this week. 

The certificate also detailed that O’Neal had suffered from “cardiomyopathy” for “years" alongside the cause of death. 

What is cardiomyopathy?

The Cleveland Clinic describes cardiomyopathy as a condition “that affects your heart muscle. If you have cardiomyopathy, your heart can’t efficiently pump blood to the rest of your body.”

O'Neal's death certificate also detailed that his place of death was Saint John's Health Center and that he is buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary, both in Los Angeles.

Ryan O'Neal's daughter says she will 'miss him forever'

Following his death earlier this month, O'Neal's daughter and 'Paper Moon' co-star Tatum O’Neal spoke about her father. "I feel great sorrow with my father's passing," she said in a statement, according to People. "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," she added.

Tatum’s brother, Patrick O’Neal, announced Ryan’s death in an Instagram post on December 8, saying that his father “has always been my hero” and “passed away peacefully” with loved ones at his side. The late actor shared Tatum, 60, and her brother Griffin O’Neal, 59, with Joanna Moore. He had Patrick, 56, with Leigh Taylor-Young. He shared his youngest son, Redmond, 38, with Farrah Fawcett. 

Ryan O'Neal had other health issues 

The 'Barry Lyndon' star had a history of health issues. He was diagnosed with chronic leukemia in 2001 and prostate cancer in 2012. He reflected on his illnesses to the outlet in 2021. “I'm proud of them, I've survived them. I thought I was gone. And suddenly I come back. Not the same man I was, but I'm back.”

Ryan’s leukemia diagnosis was a catalyst for his reconciliation with Fawcett whom he was initially in a romantic relationship with from 1979 to 1997. Upon reconciling, the pair stayed together until Fawcett’s death in 2009. 

In that same interview, Ryan spoke about what he thought his legacy would be. “Oh, I've had so many stories told about me that I don't even know what my legacy is,” he said.