Oscar-nominated, Los Angeles born, American actor Ryan O’Neal, who starred in such well known films as “Love Story”, and “Paper Moon”, sadly passed away yesterday, Friday, December 8th, 2023, at the age of 82 years.
The eldest son of actress Patricia Ruth Olga (née O’Callaghan; 1907–2003) and novelist and screenwriter Charles O’Neal.
Note: as their names suggest; his father was of both Irish and English descent, while his mother was of paternal Irish and maternal Ashkenazi* Jewish ancestry.
[*Ashkenazim, through the ages, made significant contributions to Europe’s philosophy, scholarship, literature, art, music, and science.]
The Tipperary Connection.
He starred in the late Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999) directed movie ‘Barry Lyndon‘, much of which was filmed here in South Tipperary, using location such as Cahir Castle; The Vee and Castlegrace in Clogheen and Moorstown Castle near Clonmel. The film based on the 1844 novel ‘The Luck of Barry Lyndon’, written by William Makepeace Thackeray, winning four Oscars in production categories and is today regarded as one of the late Mr Kubrick’s finest films ever made.
Mr O’Neal had initially trained as an amateur (Golden Gloves) boxer, before beginning a career in acting, as an extra; a film stand-in, and stunt man back in 1960, before making his first television appearance, guest starring on ‘The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis’ episode “The Hunger Strike” in the 1960’s.
The Hollywood star gained much popularity after his role in the American prime-time soap opera drama entitled ‘Peyton Place’ and later international claim after his Oscar-nominated performance as ‘Oliver’ in the 1970’s romantic film ‘Love Story’, latter one of the highest-grossing films of all time, when adjusted for inflation. His co-star American actress and activist Ms Ali MacGraw, was latter selected by ‘People Magazine’ as one of its “50 Most Beautiful People” in the world.
In ár gcroíthe go deo.
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