Oscar Nominee Ryan O’Neal Dead at 82

Ryan O’Neal

Actor Ryan O’Neal has died at age 82.

Known for his roles on Peyton Place and Love Story, Ryan received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for the latter in 1970. Other acting credits include Paper Moon, What’s Up, Doc, A Bridge Too Far, Barry Lyndon, The Main Event and The Driver.

On Friday, Dec. 8, Ryan’s son, Patrick O’Neal, revealed the actor died earlier in the day.

“So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say but here we go. My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us,” Patrick wrote via Instagram.

In a series of three posts, Patrick reflected at length about his father’s life and legacy. He described Ryan as “generous as they come” and “the funniest person in any room.”

“And the most handsome clearly, but also the most charming. Lethal combo,” he added.

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Ryan and Farrah Fawcett famously dated from 1979 to 1997 before reconnecting in 2001 and remaining together until her death in 2009.

“Ryan never bragged, but he has bragging rights in Heaven. Especially when it comes to Farrah,” Patrick wrote. “Everyone had the poster, he had the real McCoy. And now they meet again.”

O’Neal is survived by four children: Tatum O’Neal (with whom he appeared in Paper Moon) and Griffin O’Neal with his first wife, actress Joanna Moore; Patrick O’Neal with his first wife, actress Leigh Taylor-Young; and Redmond James Fawcett O’Neal with Farrah Fawcett.

He is also survived by five grandchildren.

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