Why Ryan O’Neal’s Son Was Absent from His Funeral: A Family Divided
Ryan O’Neal, the iconic star of Love Story and Barry Lyndon, passed away on December 8, 2023, at the age of 82, after battling leukemia, prostate cancer, and ultimately, congestive heart failure. While Hollywood mourned the loss of a legend, his own son was conspicuously absent from the funeral—a decision that has sparked widespread curiosity and discussion.
Redmond James Fawcett O’Neal, the son of Ryan and actress Farrah Fawcett, was not present at his father's memorial service. At 38 years old, Redmond was incarcerated at a California state hospital at the time of the funeral. His life has been marked by struggles with addiction, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anti-social personality disorder, leading to multiple incarcerations and a lengthy stay in a mental health facility. Despite Ryan O’Neal's promise to Farrah Fawcett to care for Redmond, their relationship deteriorated, with Redmond refusing to see his father during his treatment.
Griffin O’Neal, Ryan's son from his first marriage to actress Joanna Moore, revealed that he was not invited to the funeral. He drove 2,000 miles from his home in Houston, Texas, only to learn that the service would take place the weekend after Christmas. Griffin and his father had not spoken in 17 years following a violent altercation in 2007 at Ryan's Malibu home, where Griffin allegedly swung a fireplace poker at his father, and Ryan aimed a gun at him. Despite this tumultuous past, Griffin expressed a desire to say goodbye to his father.
Tatum O’Neal, Ryan's daughter from his marriage to Joanna Moore, was also absent from the funeral. Their relationship had been strained for years, but they reconciled in the late 2000s after a 20-year estrangement. Following a stroke due to a drug overdose in 2020, Tatum reunited with her father twice, including a visit to Malibu for his birthday in April 2023. She expressed deep sorrow at his passing, stating that he meant the world to her and that she felt very lucky that they ended on such good terms.
Patrick O’Neal, a Los Angeles sportscaster and Ryan's son from his second marriage to actress Leigh Taylor-Young, organized the small memorial service at Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. The service was attended by only about 25 people, including Patrick's mother, Leigh Taylor-Young. Patrick has been vocal in defending his father's legacy, expressing frustration over his omission from the Emmy's "In Memoriam" segment in 2024 and criticizing the Television Academy for not honoring his father.
Ryan O’Neal was buried beside his longtime partner, Farrah Fawcett, at Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery. However, this decision has not been without controversy. Farrah's college sweetheart, Greg Lott, and friend Craig Nevius have accused O’Neal of going against Farrah's final wishes. They claim that she never wanted a burial or a monument where people could come to gawk at her and that O’Neal manipulated the situation to create a narrative of a great love story. Despite these accusations, Farrah's longtime friend, Alana Stewart, has defended O’Neal, stating that he and Farrah loved each other deeply.
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The absence of Ryan O’Neal's children from his funeral highlights the complexities and challenges of family dynamics, especially in the public eye. While some family members were present to honor his memory, others were not invited or chose not to attend, reflecting the strained relationships that characterized much of O’Neal's personal life. As Hollywood continues to remember his contributions to film and television, the story of his family remains a poignant reminder of the complexities of fame and family.
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