Ryan O'Neal

Charles Patrick Ryan O'Neal (April 20, 1941 – December 8, 2023) was an American actor who started his career in acting in 1960. He trained as an amateur boxer before diving into acting. Born in Los Angeles, O'Neal's career spiked when he landed the role of Rodney Harrington on the ABC nighttime soap opera Peyton Place in 1964. This major hit significantly boosted O'Neal's career catapulting him to stardom. He found tremendous success in films, most notably Love Story (1970), which earned him nominations for the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. His other notable films include What's Up, Doc? (1972), Paper Moon (1973), a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination, Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon (1975), Richard Attenborough's A Bridge Too Far (1977), and Walter Hill's The Driver (1978). From 2005 to 2017, O'Neal also played 'Max', a recurring character on the Fox television series Bones.

As a Hollywood celebrity, his personal life was just as newsworthy. His volatile relationships, most notably with actress Farrah Fawcett, and his tumultuous relationship with his children, were often in the headlines. Despite his multiple marriages and affairs, he was remembered for his contribution to the film industry. His personal struggles never overshadowed his professional achievements, and the actor continued to perform until the late stages of his life. His final acting role was in the Fox television series Bones and worked in the industry until the very end.