Ryan O’Neal, a beloved actor who made his mark in Hollywood with iconic films like Love Story and Barry Lyndon, passed away in December 2023 after a prolonged battle with leukemia, prostate cancer, and heart failure. The passing of the 82-year-old star marked the end of an era in Hollywood, yet the absence of one person from his funeral raised many questions: his son, Redmond James Fawcett O’Neal.
Redmond, who struggled with addiction and mental health issues, was incarcerated at the time of his father’s death. His absence from the funeral was not entirely unexpected, as his life had been marked by numerous legal and health challenges. However, it was the absence of two other children, including Griffin O’Neal, that left many shocked. Griffin, Ryan’s son from his first marriage, was not invited to the memorial service at all.
Griffin O’Neal’s Strained Relationship with His Father
Griffin O’Neal, who had driven 2,000 miles from Houston to attend the memorial, shared the painful reality of being excluded. Despite the estrangement between the two men—stemming from a violent altercation in 2007—Griffin expressed his desire to say goodbye to his father. Yet, when he arrived, he was told that the service would take place a week later, and he was not invited to participate.
The breakdown in their relationship began years before Ryan O’Neal’s passing, following a violent incident in 2007. Griffin allegedly attacked his father with a fireplace poker, and Ryan responded by threatening him with a gun. Their relationship never recovered from that moment, and the pain of unresolved issues lingered until the end.
Despite this, Griffin’s desire to be part of the funeral reflected a deep longing for closure, even if the road to healing had been long and difficult. His absence, along with that of his half-sister Tatum O’Neal, highlighted the complex and fractured nature of the O’Neal family dynamic.
Tatum O’Neal’s Reconciliation with Her Father
Tatum O’Neal, Ryan’s daughter from his marriage to actress Joanna Moore, had a similarly complicated relationship with her father. The two had been estranged for many years, but they reconciled in the late 2000s. This was particularly important after Tatum’s struggles with addiction and a drug overdose in 2020, which led her to reconnect with Ryan.
Tatum expressed her sorrow at her father’s passing, acknowledging their emotional reconciliation before his death. Their relationship, though difficult, had found healing in their final years together, and Tatum’s statement of grief showed just how important the closure had been for her.
A Memorial Service Marked by Family Tensions
The memorial service was a small affair, attended by only about 25 people, and was organized by Ryan’s son, Patrick O’Neal, a Los Angeles sportscaster. Patrick had grown closer to his father in the years leading up to his death, and it was he who took the responsibility of arranging the service.
The service was held at the Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, a celebrity-filled resting place. Ryan’s redwood-colored coffin was placed beside his longtime partner, Farrah Fawcett, who had passed away in 2009. This gesture symbolized Ryan’s deep love for Farrah, as he had expressed regret over their broken relationship in later years.
However, the burial was not without controversy. Some close to Farrah, including her college sweetheart Greg Lott, accused Ryan of disregarding Farrah’s final wishes. Lott claimed that Farrah had never wanted a grand monument or public display of her life, and Ryan had violated these wishes by creating a narrative around their relationship that felt inauthentic.
Ryan O’Neal with actress Farrah Fawcett. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Ryan and Farrah’s Lasting Legacy: A Complex Love Story
Despite the accusations, many who knew Ryan and Farrah defended their relationship as a true love story. Alana Stewart, a longtime friend of Farrah’s, spoke about the couple’s deep love for each other, despite their ups and downs. “Ryan and Farrah loved each other deeply,” Stewart shared. “Sure, it had its dark moments, but it was a great love story.”
Ryan’s son Patrick also defended his father’s legacy, criticizing those who attempted to tarnish Ryan’s name. Patrick’s vocal defense extended to the broader public recognition of Ryan’s contributions to television, even calling out the Television Academy for failing to honor his father at the Emmys in 2024. However, later in the year, the Academy did include Ryan in the “In Memoriam” segment, which Patrick acknowledged with gratitude.
Tatum O’Neal and her brother Griffin attend the Frankie B Fall 2003 preview during the Mercedes-Benz Shows LA fashion week in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
A Family Divided: The Fallout from Ryan O’Neal’s Legacy
The complex relationships within the O’Neal family reflect deeper struggles and unresolved tensions that were never fully addressed. Ryan’s relationship with his children, especially his sons, was fraught with challenges, and his passing highlighted the painful reality of their family dynamics. Despite the difficult history, the loss of a father and a star who had captivated Hollywood audiences for decades left a lasting impact on those closest to him.
Ryan O’Neal’s death and the fallout from his funeral underscore the challenges of fame and family. Despite the outward success and iconic status he achieved in Hollywood, his personal life was marked by turmoil and heartache. The absence of some of his children from his final moments was a painful reminder that, sometimes, unresolved issues cannot be fixed in time.
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For more on Ryan O’Neal’s life, love, and legacy, read the full story in these related articles:
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This intricate tale of Ryan O’Neal’s family reflects the often tumultuous nature of relationships and the unresolved conflicts that can shape the final moments of one’s life. The legacy of a star, shaped by both his career and personal life, remains marked by love, loss, and the complexities of family dynamics.
