Ryan O’Neal will be reunited with Farrah Fawcett in heaven says his son, as world remembers how Hollywood great stole Charlie’s Angels star from Lee Majors and tributes pour in

Hollywood star Ryan O'Neal will be reunited with Farrah Fawcett in heaven, his son said, as the world remembers how one of Hollywood's greatest love stories began.

The iconic star, who was both a matinee idol and an award-winning actor, died at the age of 82, his son Patrick confirmed via social media on Friday.

In a heartfelt tribute, he wrote: “So this is the hardest thing I've ever had to say, but here we go.

“My father passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side, who supported him and loved him as he loved us.”

He also spoke about his father's on-again, off-again relationship with Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett, who died of cancer in 2009 at the age of 62.

“Ryan never bragged,” he added. “But he has a right to boast 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 missed her terribly. What a hug that must be. Together again.'

O'Neal was known for his high-profile relationship with Ms. Fawcett, which lasted decades; they never marry.

They were partners from 1979 to 1997 after he stole the bubbly blonde beauty from her husband, The Six Million Dollar Man's Lee Majors.

Together they had a son named Redmond, 38, who had trouble with the law and even served a prison sentence.

Their relationship was tumultuous due to Ryan's infidelity, and their relationship ended when Mrs. Fawcett found him in bed with actress Leslie Stefanson.

But they reunited in 2001 and remained together until her death in 2009.

After her death, O'Neal described her as his “forever Valentine” story People: 'I loved her with all my heart. I will miss her so very much.” He later said “there was never a day” when he “didn't love her.”

O'Neal also dated Anjelica Huston. She would accuse him of abusing her in her tell-all book.

According to his daughter Tatum, he also had an affair with Melanie Griffith.

The couple met through O'Neal's friend and Fawcett's then-husband Lee Majors. Fawcett was known for her time on Charlie's Angels and O'Neal was still best known for his Oscar-nominated role in 1970s Love Story.

The pair began a relationship with Ms Fawcett when Majors suggested Ryan take her out for the evening while he was away.

O'Neal recounted the moment Majors proposed to the couple for dinner in his 2012 book, Both of Us: My Life with Farrah, writing that Majors had said, “Why don't you take her out to dinner one night ?'

Several days earlier, he had seen Ms. Fawcett after a trip along Antelo Road near Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles with Majors. He described her in his book as 'delightful' and 'full of childlike warmth'.

O'Neal stayed for lunch and Mrs. Fawcett asked him to come back that evening to watch a boxing match at their home.

“They said the marriage was over, and I said they were great together,” O'Neal later said Vanity fair.

It wasn't long after that Majors asked O'Neal to take Mrs. Fawcett out to dinner.

Just a week later he took her to a Ry Cooder concert and wrote that Mrs. Fawcett finally agreed to go with him, after discussing it with Majors beforehand.

“I let him know that Ryan asked me out. He said, 'I told him. But you're not going,” he wrote.

Majors and O'Neal's relationship then began to unravel, with Majors calling his house, hanging up and eventually telling him to “stay away” from his wife.

But O'Neal, who was previously married to actress Joanne Moore and later Leigh Taylor-Young, had fallen in love with Ms Fawcett and told Vanity Fair: 'It was a situation I had never been in before. 'even talked to her about it'.

Mrs. Fawcett and Majors divorced in 1982.

Tributes poured in for O'Neal, who also had two children with his first wife.

Friday, his daughter Tatum O'Neal shared a statement with People respond to the news.

“I feel great sadness about the death of my father,” she said. 'He meant everything to me. I loved him very much and know he loved me too. I will miss him forever and I feel very fortunate that we ended on such good terms.”

Barbra Streisand, who worked with O'Neal on What's Up, Doc? and The Main Event, and Marisa Berenson on Barry Lyndon, shared a tribute to the late star on the past was made.

The actress also wrote, “So sad to hear the news of Ryan O'Neal's passing. We made two films together: What's Up, Doc? and the main event. He was funny and charming, and we won't forget him.'

Mia Farrow also uploaded a tribute by sharing several throwback images, writing: 'Rest in peace dear Ryan.'

The two most notably starred in the series Peyton Place.

Sharon Stone also paid tribute with a black and white photo of O'Neal from his later years.

'It is with deep sadness that I post this. RIP Ryan O'Neal,” she wrote, adding a heart emoji.

O'Neal was last seen being helped into his vehicle from a wheelchair by an aide on November 6, 2023 in Brentwood, California. O'Neal was driven along the sidewalk and had two caregivers place him in the front seat of his car, lifting him up. him from under his arm.

O'Neal was best known for his films from the 1970s, including Paper Moon, starring his daughter Tatum.

The critically acclaimed film, directed by Ryan's What's Up, Doc? collaborator Peter Bogdanovich earned the young girl the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress when she was just 10, making the budding star – who had turned nine during production – the youngest person to ever win a competitive Oscar.

O'Neal is survived by four children: Tatum O'Neal and Griffin O'Neal with Joanna Moore, Patrick O'Neal with Leigh Taylor-Young, and Redmond James Fawcett O'Neal with Fawcett, and his five grandchildren.