Ryan O'Neal, the actor best known for his role in the 1970 film Love Story, has died at the age of 82. His son Patrick O'Neal announced the news on Friday, describing his father as 'as generous as they come' and 'the funniest person in any room'.
Born Charles Patrick Ryan O'Neal on 20 April 1941 in Los Angeles, he began his career as a stuntman on the TV series Tales of the Vikings before landing the role of Rodney Harrington in the primetime soap Peyton Place. The show made him a household name and paved the way for his film career.
O'Neal's breakthrough came with Love Story (1970), which became the third most successful film in history at the time and made him an international star alongside Ali MacGraw. He went on to appear in hits such as What's Up, Doc?, The Main Event, and Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon (1975).
Despite his on-screen charm, O'Neal's personal life was turbulent. He served 51 days in jail for assault in 1960 and had a reputation for a drunken temper. His relationships with Joan Collins, Ursula Andress, and Barbra Streisand made headlines, but his most notable pairing was with his daughter Tatum in Paper Moon (1973), for which she won an Oscar.
O'Neal's later years were marked by a highly publicised relationship with Farrah Fawcett, as well as family dramas involving his children. He is survived by his four children from three relationships.
