Ryan O’Neal, ‘Love Story’ and ‘Paper Moon’ Star, Dies at 82

Ryan O’Neal, ‘Love Story’ and ‘Paper Moon’ Star, Dies at 82© Provided by Variety

Oscar-nominated actor Ryan O’Neal, who came to prominence on TV’s “Peyton Place” and became a top star of the 1970s in films including “Love Story,” “What’s Up, Doc?,” “Paper Moon” and “Barry Lyndon,” died Friday, his son Patrick said on Instagram. He was 82.

O’Neal was diagnosed with chronic leukemia in 2001 and with prostate cancer in 2012.

In the 1970s, he was a marquee draw. In 1973, he ranked behind only Clint Eastwood in terms of box office draw – and ahead of stars like Steve McQueen, Burt Reynolds and Robert Redford.

“Love Story” was the No. 1 film of 1970, grossing $106 million in the U.S. and Canada, and the sixth highest grossing film of all time at that point. The melodramatic romance, based on Erich Segal’s bestselling novel, was also a cultural phenomenon, with its signature line of dialogue, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” spoken both by Ali MacGraw and O’Neal at different times, inspiring parody for decades.

O’Neal was married twice, both time to actresses: Joanna Moore, who died in 1997, and Leigh Taylor-Young. He is survived by daughter Tatum and son Griffin, by Moore; son Patrick, an actor and sportscaster, by Taylor-Young; and son Redmond, from his relationship with Fawcett.

Source: variety.com