Ryan O'Neal Has Died at 82: 'Heartbroken' Son Speaks Out After Losing 'Hero' Father

• Ryan O'Neal passed away in his 80s.
• His son, Patrick O'Neal — who had a close bond with the actor — took to social media to confirm the news.
• Ryan is survived and mourned by his children with different women, including Farrah Fawcett.

Ryan O'Neal, known for his roles in enduring film classics, peacefully passed away at 82. His iconic stature in the industry was marked by his performance in classics such as "Love Story" and "Paper Moon."

He was once revered for his ability to bring depth and charisma to every character he portrayed. The news of Ryan's passing was shared by Patrick O'Neal, 56, his son with the actress Leigh Taylor-Young, through heartfelt posts on Instagram.

The late star's son wrote the posts on the day of his father's death on Friday, December 8, 2023. Accompanied by images of serene sunsets by the sea, Patrick's words painted a picture of profound loss and tribute, stating that the death announcement was the "toughest thing" he had ever had to say.

Patrick honored his father as "my hero," expressing his gratitude for the man who was "the best and most loving and supportive dad," acknowledging how fortunate he was to have had such a father. His sentiment echoed the hearts of many who knew the actor, describing the void left by his departure as "heartbroken."

The promise to carry on Ryan's legacy was a poignant element of Patrick's message. "I will share my father's legacy forever," he pledged, underscoring the enduring impact of his father's work and character on him and the broader public.

In his farewell, Patrick conveyed his deep love and longing, saying, "I'll miss you dad. I love you." His intimate expressions reflect a bond that transcends the finality of death, illustrating the profound connection between father and son.

In July 2023, the pair were photographed bonding over a sporting event to show how close Ryan was to Patrick. The upcoming sports broadcaster was seen sitting next to his father, who showed emotions as he reacted to what was happening on the field, with Patrick once stating:

"He's my best friend. I love him and my dad is my biggest fan."

The late star's son admitted that hearing his father tell him how proud he was of his work is special to him. However, sometimes they clashed with the actor not liking his son's choice of shoes, tie, or jacket. Sometimes, Ryan wanted his son to tell funny stories or smile when he wasn't in the mood.

Besides that, Patrick noted that his father had always supported him. The pair bonded over sports, which Ryan was into before becoming a famous actor. The late celebrity's son loved the write-up about their outing so much that he shared a screenshot of it on Instagram, noting:

"Love it cause I love my dad."

The last birthday celebration they shared publicly on social media was on April 21, 2023, when Patrick paid tribute to his father. Alongside a stunning picture of the duo, Patrick revealed how his father celebrated his 82nd birthday the day before and said it was a privilege and honor to spend time with the actor on his special day.

Ryan is survived by his other children: Tatum O'Neal, 60, with whom he starred in "Paper Moon," Griffin O'Neal, 59 — both from his marriage to the late actress Joanna Moore; as well as his youngest son, Redmond O'Neal, 38, with the late actress Farrah Fawcett.

We offer our deepest sympathies as the film world and his family mourn. Ryan's life was one of artistic triumph and personal tenacity, and his memory will continue to inspire and be cherished by those who knew him and his fans worldwide.