Francis Ford Coppola shares unexpected tribute to Ryan O'Neal after his death… saying they were 'united in tragedy' after Coppola's son Gian-Carlo died in a 1986 boating accident involving O'Neal's son Griffin
Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has paid an unexpected tribute to Ryan O'Neal, who died on December 8 at the age of 82.
The Godfather director, 84, posted a photo of the late Barry Lyndon star from his heyday, adding his work in iconic films in his caption.
“Ryan O'Neal has succeeded and certainly deserves praise for his outstanding work in BARRY LYNDON, WHAT'S UP DOC and PAPER MOON,” the Oscar winner wrote.
He then mentioned the grief the two Hollywood icons had shared for decades. “Our families are united in tragedy, which is also an expression of love. Rest in peace, greetings Ryan.'
The Outsiders director was referring to a 1986 boating accident involving O'Neal's son Griffin, which killed Coppola's son Gian-Carlo at the age of 23.
Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has paid an unexpected tribute to Ryan O'Neal, who died on December 8 at the age of 82. O'Neal's son Griffin was involved in a boating accident in 1986 that killed Coppola's son Gian-Carlo.
The younger Coppola was working as a crew member on his father's drama Gardens Of Stone in Washington, D.C., at the time he and Griffin O'Neal, now 59, decided to rent a boat over Memorial Day weekend.
O'Neal, who was piloting the boat in the South River near Edgewater, MD, attempted to slide between two slower-moving boats without realizing one was being towed by the other, causing his boat to collide with the tow line between the two vessels . .
O'Neal was able to dive to safety, but Coppola wasn't so lucky. He was struck by the tow line and suffered a devastating head wound
O'Neal suffered a minor shoulder injury in the collision
His agent, Barbara Lawrence, told the newspaper Washingtonpost The two men had met while making the film and decided to take a boating vacation.
Griffin had a small role in Francis Ford Coppola's Garden Of Stone, but he dropped out after the accident and retired from acting a few years later.
The actor, who initially claimed it was Gian-Carlo who was driving the boat, was later found not guilty of manslaughter, but he was convicted on a lesser charge of negligence while operating a boat.
He was fined $200 and sentenced to 18 months' probation.
During the trial, Griffin was sometimes accompanied in court by his father Ryan.
Gian-Carlo's girlfriend, Jacqueline De La Fontaine, was on the boat around the time of the crash. She was pregnant and later gave birth to their daughter Gia, now 36.
Like many members of her family, Gia became a filmmaker.
Francis, who has received multiple Academy Awards and won the Cannes Film Festival's Palm D'Or award for The Conversation and Apocalypse Now, received condolences and praise for his gracious comments.
“A soul in conflict – Francis Ford Coppola – genius of our time – writes beautiful words in his memory,” said one fan.
The Godfather director, 84, posted a photo of O'Neal from his heyday to complement his work in iconic films and recalled that they were both “united in tragedy,” referring to the boating accident
Fans praised the Godfather director for his kindness and grace, despite O'Neal's connection to one of his most harrowing tragedies
Fans were touched by what they called the director's “outstanding example” and called him a “genius of our time”
Gian-Carlo Coppola (r) was killed at the age of 23 while riding in a boat driven by Griffin O'Neal over Memorial Day weekend in 1986 while working on Gardens Of Stone with his father . Pictured here in New York in January 1986 with Roman Coppola, (l) and Francis Ford Coppola
Francis later said that Gardens of Stone “cost me everything,” and that he “fantasized not having made the film,” admitting that “I wouldn't have lost my son” (pictured in Beverly Hills with his wife Eleanor and Gian-Carlo April 1980)
Griffin O'Neal was found guilty of negligence in the death of Gian-Carlo Coppola and sentenced to 18 months' probation and a $200 fine. He left Gardens Of Stone and left acting a few years later (pictured in London in 1987)
'Francis is a highly developed person. We must learn from his excellent example,” another warned.
Writer, producer and actress Regina Banali told the director of Youth Without Youth: “Francis, that's very big of you. I respect you even more for posting this.”
In a 2020 interview with Vulturesaid the acclaimed director: “There is one film that I wouldn't have made because it cost me everything, and that was one of the films I made at a time when I had to make a film every year to protect my house and my household to keep. together,” he declared.
“I fantasize about not having made Gardens of Stone,” he admitted, adding, “I wouldn't have lost my son.”