Ryan O’Neal’s Final Days and Family Rift
Ryan O’Neal, known for Love Story and Barry Lyndon, passed away at 82 on December 8, 2023, after battling leukemia and prostate cancer. His death was due to congestive heart failure. Despite his Hollywood legacy, his funeral was small, with only about 25 attendees.
Notably absent was his son Redmond, who was incarcerated in a California state hospital. Redmond, O’Neal’s son with Farrah Fawcett, has long struggled with addiction and mental illness. Despite promising Farrah he’d care for their son, Ryan’s relationship with Redmond deteriorated.
Two other children, Tatum and Griffin, also missed the funeral. Griffin said he wasn’t invited and hadn’t spoken to his father in 17 years, while Tatum, who reconciled with Ryan in recent years, did not attend either.
Ryan was buried beside Farrah Fawcett at Westwood Memorial Park. Though some, like Farrah’s ex Greg Lott, criticized the burial as going against her wishes, close friends defended Ryan and the deep bond he shared with Farrah.
Ryan’s son Patrick, who arranged the funeral, has since defended his father’s legacy, especially after Ryan was initially left out of the 2024 Emmy’s “In Memoriam” segment. Following public outcry, the Television Academy included Ryan in its September tribute.