'I was always a jerk': Ryan O'Neal admitted to being a bad father long before he shot his son
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On December 8, 2023, the world bid farewell to Ryan O’Neal, the Oscar-nominated star celebrated for his roles in 'Love Story' and 'Peyton Place.' While his on-screen performances captivated audiences, O’Neal had a rich family life that often has been surrounded by many controversies.
Let's delve into the actor's world, marked by three significant relationships that brought four children and the joys of grandfatherhood.
Ryan O'Neal acknowledged his struggles as a father
Ryan O'Neal candidly acknowledged his struggles as a father, recognizing the critical sentiments expressed by his children about his parenting. Embracing a self-reflective stance, O'Neal refrains from challenging any of the raised concerns.
Instead, he opted to share anecdotes illuminating his perceived shortcomings in navigating the intricate landscape of fatherhood.
One noteworthy instance involves a somber moment at Farrah Fawcett's funeral, where O'Neal recounted encountering a "beautiful blond woman" who approached him for an embrace.
To his surprise, the woman turned out to be his daughter, Tatum. The awkward interaction unfolded as O'Neal inquired about a car and the availability of a drink.
O'Neal expressed a degree of contentment with the estrangement from his children, suggesting that he never believed he was "supposed to be a father." This unusual sentiment hints at a complex relationship dynamic that transcends the conventional expectations of familial bonds.
Even when reflecting on his tumultuous relationship with Farrah Fawcett, whom he considered the love of his life, O'Neal displayed an unusual level of self-awareness. Regarding their separation during a challenging period in Farrah's life, he remarked, "I didn’t have a change of life. I was always a jerk."
In a past incident that unfolded, the Seattle Times reported the arrest of renowned actor Ryan O'Neal. The incident revolved around an alarming situation where O'Neal claimed to have fired a gun in self-defense to thwart an attack by his son, Griffin, wielding a fireplace poker.
Griffin, much like his siblings, had a well-documented history of grappling with substance abuse issues. Reports suggested that underlying tensions and discontentment with his father, Ryan O'Neal, might have contributed to the confrontation.
However, the specific reasons behind Griffin's alleged assault were not disclosed, leaving authorities without a clear motive.
According to O'Neal's account, during the altercation, he managed to evade an attack by Griffin, resulting in Griffin inadvertently striking his pregnant girlfriend in the head.
The situation escalated as Griffin, armed with a fire poker, pursued Ryan up the stairs. In an attempt to protect himself, Ryan discharged his weapon, directing it "into the banister," ultimately causing Griffin to flee.
Law enforcement arrived on the scene, leading to Ryan O'Neal's arrest. The charges, including "assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm," were leveled against him.
However, despite the arrest, O'Neal was not prosecuted for the charges. In the aftermath of the incident, Ryan's manager conveyed the actor's remorse, emphasizing that the father of four "felt terrible about what happened."
Tatum O’Neal
Ryan welcomed his first child, Tatum, on November 5, 1963, with ex-wife, actress Joanna Moore. The duo's fate intertwined in the critically acclaimed film 'Paper Moon' (1974), where 10-year-old Tatum became the youngest actress ever to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
However, the glow of success dimmed as Tatum battled reported addiction issues.
Their complex relationship played out on the reality series 'Ryan and Tatum: The O’Neals' in 2011, revealing the strains and the need for reconciliation.
“How would I feel if my father were to, say, get sick or die even? Would I be OK? And I realized that I wouldn’t be OK,” she said in a clip of the show, per CNN. “So I knew I needed to make an effort, because what is your life without your family? What’s your life without a father?” per CNN.
As time wMent on, the estrangement reignited. Tatum's son Sean McEnroe revealed in 2020 that the estrangement had ended. Sharing a photo with his mom, grandfather Ryan, and siblings, he shared a photo of the family having fun together. “This is one of the most memorable photos of my life,” he captioned the pic in part. “The last time we were all together was at the 30-year Paper Moon Anniversary in 2003. I could cry tears of gratitude that everyone in this photo is still alive and that we were all able to come together again after so many years of hardship.”
He finished the emotional post with, “If the O’Neals can reconcile, truly anything is possible.”
Tatum married tennis superstar John McEnroe in 1986, divorcing him in 1994. They welcomed Sean, Kevin, and Emily into the world during their marriage.
Griffin O’Neal
Born on October 28, 1964, Ryan O’Neal and Joanna Moore welcomed their second child. Griffin embraced the family tradition, embarking on a career in acting. His notable roles include appearances in films like 'April Fool’s Day' and 'The Escape Artist,' showcasing his talent in the cinematic realm.
However, Griffin’s path diverged, marked by profound challenges that shook the foundation of the O’Neal family. In 2007, he made a life-altering decision to leave Los Angeles and seek solace near the Mexico border.
In a poignant 2015 interview, Griffin bared the harsh realities of his family's struggles, attributing the devastation to drug addiction, alcoholism, and depression. The relentless cycle compelled him to distance himself, declaring, "I had to walk away from all of it. I’m done."
He told PEOPLE, “My whole family has been absolutely destroyed to smithereens from drug addiction and alcoholism. The common denominator is drugs and alcohol and depression and it’s a never-ending cycle."
Patrick O’Neal
Patrick O’Neal, the singular offspring of Ryan O’Neal and his second wife, Leigh Taylor-Young, embodies a diverse journey entwined with acting and sports broadcasting.
Born on September 14, 1967, during a period when his father was already a prominent TV star on Peyton Place, Patrick found himself immersed in the world of entertainment from the very beginning.
While Patrick ventured into acting, making notable appearances in 'Die Hard 2' and 'Beverly Hills,' his distinct imprint was left on the landscape of sports broadcasting.
In a tribute to his iconic father on Instagram, Patrick shared, "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. 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.”
On April 20, Patrick took to Instagram again to gush over his dad on his 82nd birthday. “Honor and a privilege to share time with my dad on his 82nd birthday,” he captioned a father and son black and white snapshot. “4/20 whoop whoop!!”
On December 8, 2023, in a lengthy memorial across a trio of Instagram posts. “So, this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say but here we go,” Patrick wrote in the emotional social media statement. “My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us.”
Redmond O’Neal
Redmond James Fawcett O’Neal, the youngest scion of the late Ryan O’Neal and iconic Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett, occupies a narrative marked by the shadows of addiction and personal struggle.
Born in 1985 during the tumultuous yet enduring love story between Farrah and Ryan, Redmond's life has been marred by a series of alleged crimes and spent time in jail and rehab.
The complex tale of Redmond's journey unfolds against a backdrop of legal issues, incarcerations, and stints in rehabilitation facilities.
Ryan O’Neal, in a candid interview with Vanity Fair in 2009, laid bare the challenges his son faced, revealing the extent of Redmond's addictions and the difficulties he encountered in controlling them.
“He has addictions he can’t control; he goes to sleep in his food,” Ryan told Vanity Fair in a heartbreaking 2009 interview, per PEOPLE.
“This is not a privileged guy. He never had any money; he never had a car; he never had a driver’s license. He’s never been out on the street for a year, because whatever he did, he got caught. He got arrested in prison with heroin in his pocket! So many arrests, the poor, stupid boy! He’s not a thug; he doesn’t know how to be. He’s just a sap, and he knows it. He’s been in rehabs all over the United States and Mexico. We’re just thankful he doesn’t have HIV.”
