[…] My father Ryan O’Neal has always been my hero.
I looked up to him and he was always bigger than life."
He moved around as a child, living in, among other places, Mexico and Germany.
It was in Germany that O’Neal got a job as a stuntman on “Tales of the Vikings.”
He transitioned into film roles, most notably with the 1970 film “Love Story.”
It wasn’t 100% clear why.
“I never figured it out myself,” Sue Mengers, his former agent, toldVanity Fairin 2009.
Ryan was very cocky, self-confident, very masculine, and gorgeous."
Before Fawcett, Ryan was married twice.
First to Joanna Moore in the 1960s; their two children were Tatum and Griffin O’Neal.
They split after a few years.
Ryan at times had a tumultuous private life and challenges with fatherhood.
His son Griffin has spoken about the substance abuse that he witnessed in his family.
In 2012, Ryan said on The Today Show that he didn’t think he was a good father.
I will not be deterred from outside voices that say negative things."
Our hearts are with Patrick and all those impacted by Ryan’s death.
