Ryan O'Neal's daughter Tatum glad they found closure before his death: I’ll miss him forever

Ryan O'Neal, known for his roles in timeless classics like Love Story, died at the age of 82. Soon after his death, his daughter and Oscar-winning actress Tatum O'Neal expressed her grief. She also opened up about her relationship which was marked by highs and lows. However, she found closure in the wake of his demise.

Tatum O'Neal pays tribute to her father Ryan O'Neal

In a statement to People, Tatum conveyed her deep sorrow over her father's passing and opened up about the significance Ryan held in her life. Despite their rocky history, she expressed immense love for him, affirming that their relationship concluded on positive terms.

"I feel great sorrow with my father’s passing," Tatum shared. "He meant the world to me. I loved him very much and know he loved me too. I’ll miss him forever, and I feel very lucky that we ended on such good terms," she said.

Tatum and Ryan's turbulent past

Tatum and Ryan's relationship endured significant challenges following their collaboration on the film Paper Moon. Tatum's early success with an Oscar win at the age of 10 strained their bond, leading to years of estrangement and personal struggles for Tatum, including battles with substance abuse, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Despite years of separation, Tatum initiated contact with her father earlier this year, expressing hope for reconciliation.

Patrick O’Neal remembers his father Ryan

On Friday, Patrick O’Neal shared on his Instagram handle that his father had died "with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us." He went on to "share some feelings to give you an idea of how great a man he is." Patrick further described his father as his "hero."

"I looked up to him and he was always bigger than life. When I was born in 1967 my dad was already a TV star on Peyton Place. That’s where he met my mom Leigh Taylor-Young, and about 9 months later (give or take a date night or two) I was born," he wrote.

The younger O’Neal then went on to talk about some of the shows and films that launched his father into global stardom.

"My dad became an international movie star with Love Story at the beginning of the 1970s, 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 is a Hollywood legend. Full stop," he wrote.

The news of O'Neal's passing comes in the wake of his battle with leukemia diagnosed in 2001 and subsequent prostate cancer in 2012. Despite his health challenges, O'Neal continued to inspire generations through his timeless performances and dedication to his craft.