Ryan O'Neal Blamed His Daughter for Farrah Fawcett's Death — They Found Strength to Reunite Before His Death

• At the tender age of 10, Tatum O'Neal defied all expectations, triumphing as the youngest-ever Oscar winner for her outstanding performance in "Paper Moon."
• Yet, beyond the glittering facade of stardom, a secret reality dwelled within her.
• Luckily, by the time her father passed on, they had already reconciled.

Tatum O'Neal's childhood is a gripping tale of extraordinary circumstances. Even at a tender age, she faced a tumultuous journey that most people could hardly fathom. Born to renowned actors Joanna Moore and Ryan O'Neal, Tatum burst onto the film set in 1973.

She captivated audiences with her exceptional talent in the film "Paper Moon," which she shared with her father. At a mere 10 years old, the girl became the youngest winner ever of an Oscar in a competitive category, earning the esteemed title of Best Supporting Actress in 1974.

However, behind Tatum's rise to superstardom lay a hidden reality that few were aware of. While the world saw her shine in "Paper Moon," the truth behind the scenes revealed the challenges faced by the young actress and those around her on set.

“A lot of those took 40 takes. I didn’t really read very well during the film. Everybody hated me… Pretty much,” Tatum laughed. In both "Paper Moon" and the actress' subsequent acting venture, "The Bad News Bears," she embodied tough, resilient children who seemed capable of conquering any challenge.

However, the harsh realities of Tatum's personal life remained a well-kept secret, unknown to those who admired her on the screen. The star has a history of illegal substances and alcohol abuse.

The Dark Side of "Paper Moon"

During her teenage years, Tatum basked in the glow of celebrity status, rubbing shoulders with renowned figures such as Cher and even finding herself romantically involved with the iconic Michael Jackson. Yet, the immense popularity she garnered proved to be a double-edged sword — a blessing intertwined with its fair share of challenges.

Behind Tatum's radiant smile lay a haunting tale of immense pain, a childhood overshadowed by hunger, neglect, and the unspeakable horrors of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. In an honest interview with NBC News, the star shared her tough experience, stating, "It's just been a real struggle. And I'm glad I didn't pass away and die."

The tragic origins of her story can be traced back to her relationship with her mother, actress Joanna Moore, renowned for her role as the sheriff's girlfriend on "The Andy Griffith Show." However, behind the façade of fame, Joanna battled her own demons, grappling with an addiction to alcohol and illegal substances — a struggle that intensified following her divorce from Tatum's father, Ryan O'Neal.

In 1968, Joanna made the difficult decision to relocate her two young children, five-year-old Tatum and her younger brother Griffin, to an abandoned ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles. However, what awaited them within those walls was a living nightmare, where the innocent siblings became victims of various forms of abuse.

“In the grip of addiction, she had virtually abandoned me and Griffin, leaving us in squalor — starving, shoeless, and ragged, as well as beaten and abused by the men in her life," Tatum shared her terrible memories. Recalling the difficult experience, she admitted, "It was terrible. My mother stayed drunk for years and years and years. It just went on and on and on."

Trapped within a real-life house of horrors, Tatum recounted days filled with unimaginable hardships. As she and her brother endured the bleakness of their existence, they were deprived of basic necessities, left unfed, and locked in their house. Their childhood games took on a perilous edge as they played with fire and even resorted to dangerous leaps from the rooftop.

In a fortuitous turn of events, just when it seemed that the depths of despair were insurmountable, Tatum's father arrived to rescue her from the abyss. From that pivotal moment forward, their lives became inseparable.

The actress recalled, "I was just waiting for my dad to save me — please save me, please, you know, because I was getting hurt. I was getting in trouble. I wasn't going to school. My teeth were rotting. Like, that was really happening, you know, and I was suffering."

The actress recalled how she didn't remember where her mother was during that period. However, Joanna wasn't allowed near Tatum because at that point the child was now "dad's girl.”

Father and Daughter Fragile-As-Paper Relationship

Although Ryan appeared to be a caring father in public, in real life his relationship with his daughter was far from ideal. The seeds of discord were sown when Tatum received an Oscar nomination, while her father did not. This marked a turning point in their relationship.

In her memoir "A Paper Life," the actress wrote, about how her father appeared as a doting father, however, the truth lay in his eyes. When his daughter looked at him she saw "deep resentment" over his performance being disregarded.

Tatum also recalled filming alongside her dad, "In the long scenes, I wanted to make sure my dad wasn't mad at me, and sometimes he was.” Tragically, as she entered adolescence, the bond that once connected her with her father was shattered.

At the tender age of 15, Tatum faced yet another devastating blow when her father made the decision to leave her behind and pursue a romantic relationship with Farrah Fawcett. This heart-wrenching abandonment came just two years after she'd wanted to end her life.

Ryan left Tatum when she needed him the most. In the aftermath of their fractured relationship, the iconic star later came to grapple with overwhelming guilt for the choices he had made, saying, “I was so in love with Farrah that I was blind, and so yeah, she got left at the curb, but I always said just stay at the curb, I'll be back.”

But the last straw was when he accused his own daughter of the untimely death of Farrah. “If she'd never met us, would she still be alive?” Ryan wondered to Piers Morgan. He lamented about how nobody knew what causes cancer as Farrah hadn't smoked or drank. The actor thought when he and his family of four came into the picture, the actress gradually weakened.

In 1997, Tatum faced another profound loss as her mother succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 63. Additionally, her journey took a painful turn with the dissolution of her marriage to tennis star John McEnroe.

However, all her life challenges couldn't keep her down for too long as she was very capable of bouncing back. Despite all that Ryan did to her, Tatum was able to find forgiveness in her heart and reconcile with him.

What Didn't Kill Tatum Made Her Stronger

Despite enduring a painful 20-year estrangement from her father, Tatum discovered the capacity to forgive him. "He was the first love of my life... I can love unconditionally," the star gushed over her father while fighting back tears in her interview with CBS in 2020.

In a remarkable act of healing, she extended forgiveness not only to her father but also to her mother, calling the late star “supertalented” and “a really good actress.” In a heartwarming display of reconciliation and familial love, 2020 marked a significant moment for her and her father.

A photograph shared by Tatum's son, Sean McEnroe, on Instagram captured a long-awaited family reunion. The image showed a vivid portrait of joy as Ryan beamed, surrounded by his beloved daughter and three cherished grandchildren.

Tatum revealed to People that Farrah's death played a "very big role" in her and father’s reconciliation. "She brought us back together," the younger actress opened up. The star's son, Sean, was the one who first reached out to his grandfather before Farrah passed away in June 2009.

Tatum gave Sean Ryan's number worrying the actor would become depressed and isolated after finding out about Farrah's cancer diagnosis. Nine months before the actress' passing, Tatum actually brought her orchids and food and they connected and spoke for the first time.

Speaking about Ryan, she said he'd apologized, and due to him being all that is available in terms of family, Tatum realized she needed him in her life as he was everything to her. Since then, the relationship between her and her father blossomed even more.

The positive trajectory of their bond is evidenced by Tatum's regular Instagram posts dedicated to her father. A poignant moment that encapsulates their renewed connection occurred during Ryan's 82nd birthday celebration.

His daughter tenderly embraced him in a gentle hug and admitted that "I will always be there if he ever needed me." Today, Tatum has found herself in a place of contentment and joy as a proud mother of three grown children.

According to her, motherhood saved her, when she "was really ready to kind of fall down." The star said her children gave her a reason to keep fighting and pushing forward. She once again defied the odds by maintaining a warm and amicable relationship with her ex-husband.

Despite the less-than-ideal example set by her own parents, Tatum's resilience and determination have paved the way for her children to forge their own paths and pursue their dreams. One such testament to Tatum's influence is her daughter, Emily McEnroe.

The actress' daughter has chosen to follow in her mother's footsteps and embark on a career in acting. Emily once gushed about how her mother brightened each room she entered, showing how much she adored the parent.

When asked if Tatum would like to change anything in her life, she replied, "I had the life that I have. I had the upbringing that I have. I had the experience that I have." Despite enduring a chain of tragic events, she has emerged as a resilient and strong individual.

Her experiences, rather than breaking her spirit, just made her stronger. Recently returning to the set, Tatum approached life with an unwavering sense of optimism, saying, "I think the best years are still ahead of me." Sadly, in 2023, she lost her father.

When Did Ryan Pass On and What Did His Son and Tatum Say?

On December 8, 2023, Ryan died at the age of 82. His son, Patrick O'Neal, confirmed the news with an Instagram post of a sunset. The “Love Story” star noted how he passed away peacefully with his team by his side.

Patrick called his father a "great man" who will always be his bigger than life "hero" that he looked up to. Ryan was described as a Hollywood legend who earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his role in "Love Story."

Days after losing her father, Tatum uploaded an Instagram video tribute to Ryan. The clip started with her thanking her followers for their "love and support," before noting how her famous father is "in heaven now."

In the post's caption, she shared how she and her children had loved him so much and that he'd always remain in her heart. Tatum looked heartbroken and very sad in the video, but after all she's endured before, she's surely going to come out stronger from this loss.