Actor Ryan O'Neal who starred in 'Love Story' and 'Paper Moon' dies at 82

“Love Story” and “Paper Moon” star Ryan O'Neal died Friday of unknown causes, according to reports from his family members.

He was 82. 

Ryan's son Patrick O'Neal broke the news on Instagram Friday, writing, “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. My father Ryan O’Neal has always been my hero. I looked up to him and he was always bigger than life.”

O'Neal, 82, was also known for being Tatum O’Neal’s father, the child star who won in Oscar in “Paper Moon” by his side and being the man fortunate enough to be actress Farrah Fawcett's life partner for nearly two decades.

The Hollywood couple spent their lives together from 1979 to 1997, were apart for four years, but then reconnected from 2001 and 2009, when the former “Charlie’s Angels” star died. 

“Ryan never bragged, but he has bragging rights in Heaven. Especially when it comes to Farrah. Everyone had the poster. He had the real McCoy. And now they meet again. Farrah and Ryan. He has missed her terribly. What an embrace that must be. Together again,” Patrick wrote on Instagram.

O’Neal’s cause of death was unknown. The former “Green Ice” actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012 about 10 years after he was diagnosed with chronic leukemia.

O’Neal had a long, successful career. Born in Los Angeles in 1941 as the Second World War started, he started out as an athlete trying his hand to become a Golden Gloves boxer.

He loved boxing so much, that even after he became an actor, he sparred with Joe Frazier for two rounds in 1966 on national television with Muhammed Ali doing the commentary.

His father, Charles O’Neal was a novelist and screenwriter of Irish descent and his mother, Ruth Olga was of Irish and Jewish descent. His brother Kevin was also an actor and screenwriter.

Once he began acting, O’Neal landed a role on the ABC soap opera, “Peyton Place” beside Leigh Taylor Young.

The network television romantic drama was an instant success, which wrangled the then 29-year-old the key role in the timeless classic, “Love Story,” with brunette beauty Ali MacGraw.

“Love Story,” the tale of a romantic couple, Oliver Barrett and Jenny Cavallari, who defy Barrett’s disapproving millionaire father to remain together, became a romantic classic that immortalized the timeless phrase, “love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

O’Neal was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor and Golden Globe for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama.

After “Love Story,” O'Neal’s career took off in the 1970s. Two years later in 1972, he filmed the comedy  “What's Up, Doc?” with musical sensation Barbara Streisand, “Paper Moon” with his 9-year-old daughter, Tatum O’Neal.

In 1973, he stared in Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon” based on the 1844 novel by William Makepeace Thackeray, who also wrote, “Vanity Fair.”

From 2005 to 2017, O’Neal had a recurring role on the Fox television series, “Bones,” and had stints on “Desperate Housewives.”

While O’Neal was known for his major Hollywood film successes, he also remained in the news because people envied his real-life relationship with blonde bombshell Farrah Fawcett.

There was also some drama with his daughter, Tatum, whom he also reconnected with later in life.

“I feel great sorrow with my father's passing,” Tatum told People magazine. “He meant the world to me. I loved him very much and know he loved me too. I'll miss him forever. and I feel very lucky that we ended on such good terms.”

Barbra Streisand, who starred in the 1972 comedy "What's Up, Doc?" with O’Neal also paid tribute to her former co-star.

“So sad to hear the news of Ryan O’Neal’s passing,” she wrote. “We made two films together, What’s Up, Doc? and The Main Event. He was funny and charming, and he will be remembered.”

In another Instagram post, Patrick O’Neal praised his father for being a loving person who cared about all those around him.

“Ryan was a very generous man who has always been there to help his loved ones for decade upon decade. Those same people are heartbroken today and will be for a long time … This is just so hard for us. Ryan made such an impact and this will be difficult without him. This is and will be a huge void in our lives … I’ll miss you dad. I love you. We love you.”

In addition to his acting awards, O’Neil also remains a member of the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame.