Why Ryan O’Neal’s son wasn’t invited to the star’s funeral

Ryan O’Neal passed away on December 8, 2023, at the age of 82 after a prolonged struggle with leukemia, prostate cancer, and congestive heart failure. Renowned for his memorable performances in films such as Love Story and Barry Lyndon, O’Neal’s personal life was often overshadowed by controversies, particularly his tumultuous relationship with actress Farrah Fawcett.

During his funeral, his son Redmond was unable to attend due to his incarceration in a state hospital, while his other children, Griffin and Tatum O’Neal, also chose not to be present. Griffin, who had been estranged from his father for 17 years following a violent incident, disclosed that he had not received an invitation. Despite their fractured relationship, Griffin had wished to attend and bid farewell. In contrast, Tatum had reconciled with her father in the late 2000s and expressed her grief following his death.

The intimate memorial service, held at Westwood Memorial Park, was attended by approximately 25 individuals, with Ryan being laid to rest beside Farrah, fulfilling his desire to be close to her. This decision, however, sparked controversy, as some argued it contradicted Farrah’s final wishes. Nevertheless, friends of the couple defended the profound love that existed between Ryan and Farrah.

Ryan’s son, Patrick O’Neal, has actively defended his father’s legacy, criticizing those who seek to tarnish his reputation and expressing discontent over his father’s exclusion from the Emmys memorial segment earlier that year. Ultimately, Ryan was recognized in the 2024 Emmys “In Memoriam” tribute.