Ryan O'Neal, a leading star in Hollywood in the 1970s known for films like Love Story (1970) and Paper Moon (1973), passed away on Friday at the age of 82, confirmed the late actor’s son Patrick on Instagram.
On Saturday, the younger O’Neal shared a long note alongside a picture of a sunset, mentioning that his father had died peacefully “with his loving team by his side”. He went on to share his feelings about his father, who was his hero, saying he had always looked up to the man.
“My dad became an international movie star with Love Story at the beginning of the 1970’s, a decade he absolutely crushed by starring in movies like What’s Up, Doc?, Paper Moon, Barry Lyndon, A Bridge Too Far, The Main Event, and The Driver,” he also wrote.
Referring to O’Neal as a “Hollywood legend”, the younger O’Neal further wrote about the former’s first name and its origins. “He was Rodney Harrington on Peyton Place 3 days a week (he starred in 500 shows over 5 years) and then of course the name Ryan peaked after Love Story (the film that saved Paramount Studios and earned my dad a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame),” he mentioned.
O’Neal was one of the most popular stars in the 1970s whose charismatic presence and versatility allowed him to navigate a range of genres, including dramas, comedies and thrillers. He worked with directors like Peter Bogdanovich in the 1973 crime caper Paper Moon and the 1972 screwball comedy What’s Up, Doc? alongside Barbra Streisand. He also collaborated with Stanley Kubrick on Barry Lyndon (1975) and crime comedy The Thief Who Came to Dinner (1973).
One of O’Neal’s most iconic roles was in Love Story, where his portrayal of Oliver Barrett IV garnered critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination.
