Ryan O’Neal’s ‘Love Story’ Ali MacGraw breaks silence on death

Famous people

E Samantha Ibrahim

Ryan O’Neal is remembered by his loved ones today – the “Love Story” died on December 8 at the age of 82.

Co-star Ali MacGraw released a statement on Saturday about his death.

“Working with Ryan, all those years ago, was one of the greatest experiences of my film career, and we’ve remained friends ever since. He’s a great actor. intelligent, beautiful and funny too. I know that a large part of my success was due to his kindness in being my star,” he said in a letter obtained by Deadline.

The “Gevaway” star, who is now 84, also said: “It was very painful to know about Ryan’s illness for many years, and I was not surprised when I learned that he died in yesterday morning.”

“Thankfully, he was surrounded by his son Patrick and a small group of lifelong friends. My heart goes out to all four of his children and the people who loved him the most.”

“I will miss him and the happiness we shared… and I pray that he finds peace,” he concluded.

MacGraw and O’Neal co-star in Paramount Pictures’ romantic comedy “Love Story” in 1970 and spawned a sequel in 1978 called “Oliver’s Story.”

The story of love and tragedy follows a young couple, Jenny and Oliver, who come from different economic backgrounds to tie the knot.

Conflict arose when Oliver learned that his lover was terminally ill and died, breaking his heart.

The group was a great success $173 million at the global box office at the time of its release, received seven Oscar nominations and seven Golden Globe nods.

MacGraw and the “Peyton Place” alum are looking back at the movie in 2021 for its 50th anniversary.

The couple were talking People at the time about their horror movie, and also thought about the last line of the movie: “Love means nothing. say you’re wrong.”

These are the words Oliver spoke when Jenny died as he faithfully walked out of his hospital room.

“I’m still trying to get to the bottom of it, because I had to say ‘I’m sorry’ in my life,” O’Neal joked at the time.

“It’s still touching people which is amazing,” MacGraw said.

The bond they formed during the filming spanned several years, and the “A Bridge Too Far” producer called their chemistry “magic.”

“We had absolutely nothing in common,” he recalled of the day they first met on set. “We just clicked.”

“He just kissed me with luck. They had to pull me away from him,” he quipped.

O’Neal “passed away peacefully” on Friday, his 56-year-old son Patrick announced yesterday at social media.

“My dad Ryan O’Neal has always been my hero. I looked up at him and he was larger than life,” she wrote with emotion.

Although his death was not announced, O’Neal was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001 and prostate cancer in 2012.

Then he did back surgery in 2017 and has struggled with alcohol and drug abuse throughout his career.

His daughter, Tatum O’Neal, 60, who he was dating, also shared a statement on Friday, saying she was “deeply saddened” by her father’s death.

“He meant the world to me. I loved him so much and I know he loves me too. I will miss him forever.”

The “Bad News Bears” actress starred with her father in 1973’s “Paper Moon” – a film that cast her. the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the age of 10.