The Oscar-nominated actor’s career was often overshadowed by his personal struggles.
His son Patrick ONeal, a sportscaster for Bally Sports West, said he died Friday in anInstagram post.
Patrick said his late father “lived a kick ass life” in his remembrance.
Ryan O’Neal.Jason Kempin/Getty
Of his father and Fawcett, he added, “And now they meet again.
He has missed her terribly.
What an embrace that must be.
Ryan O’Neal and Farrah Fawcett.Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
A representative for O’Neal didn’t immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.
On that show, he met actress Joanna Moore.
The two married in 1963 and had two children, actorsTatumand Griffin.
While appearing on the series, ONeal met actress Leigh Taylor-Young.
By the 70s, ONeal began to come into his own as an actor.
(The two would later reunite in 2015 forLove Letters, aLove Storyrevival on the stage.)
Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
In 1979, ONeal met actress Fawcett and the two began their infamous 17-year relationship.
In 1985, Fawcett gave birth to their son, Redmond.
The couple eventually starred in the short-lived CBS 1991 sitcomGood Sports, which only lasted two episodes.
Unfortunately, it was the personal struggles of ONeal and his family that garnered more attention than his acting.
In 2007,ONeal was arrested for allegedly assaultinghis son Griffin (prosecutors dismissed the charges).
Tatum, Griffin, and Redmond have all had well-documented struggles with drug or alcohol addiction.
Their attempt at reconciliation was also documented in the 2011 OWN reality seriesRyan & Tatum: The ONeals.
O’Neal’s personal life became increasingly public after Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006.
The actor rallied around his longtime companion until her death in June 2009.
She had reportedly agreed to marry him though no ceremony could be arranged before cancer claimed her life.
O’Neal is survived by his four children and five grandchildren.
