Remembering Ryan O’Neal
In 1964 he landed his first major role as Rodney Harrington on the hit ABC soap opera “Peyton Place,” becoming a teenage heartthrob and household name. He made a seamless transition to the big screen at the end of the decade, earning an Academy Award nomination for his turn as the romantic lead in “Love Story” (1970)
Remembering Ryan O’Neal
Ryan O’Neal was born Charles Patrick Ryan O’Neal on April 20, 1941, in Los Angeles, California. The son of screenwriter Charles O’Neal and actress Patricia O’Callaghan, he grew up in Southern California and even trained as an amateur boxer before discovering a passion for acting.
In 1964 he landed his first major role as Rodney Harrington on the hit ABC soap opera “Peyton Place,” becoming a teenage heartthrob and household name. He made a seamless transition to the big screen at the end of the decade, earning an Academy Award nomination for his turn as the romantic lead in “Love Story” (1970). Over the next decade he delivered memorable performances in films such as “Paper Moon” (1973)—in which he appeared alongside his daughter Tatum—Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon” (1975), Peter Bogdanovich’s screwball comedy “What’s Up, Doc?” (1972) and Michael Apted’s war epic “A Bridge Too Far” (1977).
After a string of high‑profile roles through the 1970s, O’Neal continued to work steadily in both film and television. In later years he was known to a new generation for his recurring role as Max on the Fox series “Bones” (2005–2017). Across a career spanning more than five decades, he became celebrated for his easy charm, boyish good looks and ability to move between drama and comedy with equal skill.
Ryan O’Neal passed away on December 8, 2023, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 82. His body of work—from soap‑opera stardom to Oscar‑nominated film performances—remains a lasting testament to his versatility and enduring appeal.
Watch: Ryan O’Neal on Making “Barry Lyndon” with Stanley Kubrick
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