Ryan O’Neal’s friends say years of partying and drugs ‘finally caught up with him’ after it was revealed Love Story actor, 82, died of heart failure
“Love Story” actor Ryan O’Neal died of heart failure, according to his death certificate.
The 82-year-old man suffered from cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, and died in a California hospital on December 8.
O’Neal suffered from heart disease for years and survived two bouts of cancer.
A friend said: “Ryan’s lifestyle hooked him. He’d been partying for years, and all those drugs had weakened his heart. It’s amazing he lasted this long.”
Cardiomyopathy causes thickening of the heart wall and weakening of the muscles.
“Love Story” actor Ryan O’Neal has died of heart failure at the age of 82, according to his death certificate.
O’Neal was in a 30-year relationship with Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett before her death in 2009.
O’Neal was best known for his 1970s films, including “Paper Moon” and his 60-year-old daughter Tatum, who became the youngest person ever to win an Oscar at age ten.
He starred opposite Barbra Streisand in What’s Up, Doc? and featured in the tearjerker 1970 love story about a wealthy student who falls in love with a working-class girl.
The actor became more famous for his off-screen antics.
O’Neal starred opposite Barbra Streisand in the boxing comedy “The Main Event” in 1979, as well as in the film “What’s Up, Doc?” in 1972
He had a 30-year, on-off relationship with Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett before her death in 2009.
O’Neill had three sons: Patrick, 56, Griffin, 59, and Redmond, 38 – his child with Ms Fawcett.