‘Love Story’ actor Ryan O’Neal’s official cause of death revealed
Ryan O’Neal’s cause of death has been revealed.
According to his death certificate, obtained by The Blast, the prolific, Oscar-nominated actor for his role in 1970’s “Love Story” and two-time Golden Globe nominee, died of “congestive heart failure” after suffering from “cardiomyopathy” for years.
He was 82 when he died on Dec. 8. while hospitalized at St. John’s Medical in Los Angeles.
The death certificate, created by the County of Los Angeles, does not list any other contributing factors to his passing.
As for his final resting place, according to the document, O’Neal was buried at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles.
According to the CDC, when “cardiomyopathy occurs, the normal muscle in the heart can thicken, stiffen, thin out, or fill with substances the body produces that do not belong in the heart muscle. As a result, the heart muscle’s ability to pump blood is reduced, which can lead to irregular heartbeats, the backup of blood into the lungs or rest of the body, and heart failure.”
His son, 56-year-old actor Patrick O’Neal, confirmed the news on his Instagram account at the time.
“So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say but here we go. My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us,” he wrote.
“My father Ryan O’Neal has always been my hero. I looked up to him and he was always bigger than life,” he continued. “As a human being, my father was as generous as they come. And the funniest person in any room. And the most handsome clearly, but also the most charming. Lethal combo. He loved to make people laugh. It’s pretty much his goal. Didn’t matter the situation, if there was a joke to be found, he nailed it. He really wanted us laughing. And we did all laugh. Every time. We had fun. Fun in the sun.”
“As my father, he was second to none. The best and most loving and supportive dad, and I am just so lucky to have had him,” he continued. “We loved playing/watching sports together. Some great frisbee throws on the beach that would last all weekend long. For years. That was our bond.”
O’Neal was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001 and with prostate cancer in 2012. He initially stated it was Stage 4 cancer before later clarifying it was Stage 2. He underwent back surgery in 2017 and famously suffered from alcoholism and drug abuse over the years.
The Post has reached out to O’Neal’s rep for comment.
O’Neal’s first big acting break came in 1964 as Rodney Harrington in the TV drama “Peyton Place.” That led to several movie credits, including his first leading film role in 1969’s “The Big Bounce.”
The actor became a household name when he starred in 1970’s “Love Story” opposite Ali MacGraw.
He earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role playing Oliver, who made us believe that “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”
O’Neal was also well-known for his high-profile romances. He was married to Joanna Moore from 1963 to 1967. They had two children: Tatum and Griffin. He wed Leigh-Taylor Young in 1967, and they had a son, Patrick. The couple divorced in 1971.
He and Farrah Fawcett, meanwhile, famously had a tumultuous on-and-off relationship, first from 1979 to 1997, and then from 2001 until her death on June 25, 2009 from anal cancer. They had one son together, Redmond, now 35, in 1985. They never married.
The relationship between O’Neal and the “Charlie’s Angels” actress was reportedly ruined by his infidelity and hot temper. The couple called it quits the first time after Fawcett found O’Neal in bed with actress Leslie Stefanson.
Redmond is currently in the Patton State Psychiatric Hospital in San Bernardino after a string of charges in Southern California in 2018, according to online court records.
In addition to Patrick, O’Neal is survived by his daughter Tatum O’Neal, 50, and son Griffin O’Neal, 59, whom he shared with his first wife, Joanna Moore and five grandchildren.
O’Neal turned 82 on April 20. Tatum and Patrick shared separate photos celebrating with their dad via Instagram.
“Happy birthday dad I love you,” Tatum wrote. Patrick, for his part, wrote: “Honor and a privilege to share time with my dad on his 82nd birthday. 4/20 whoop whoop!!”
