The drama within the O’Neal clan continues as Ryan O’Neal‘s son, Patrick, warns fans to stop believing everything they read.
The late actor’s third child was the first to announce his passing on December 8 and the only one out of his four children to attend the recent funeral. While his older brother, Griffin, claims he was not invited to the event, amongst other allegations against the deceased patriarch, Patrick told the public to mind their business.
Ryan O’Neal’s Son Patrick Seemingly Refutes Viral Claims About His Late Dad
Ryan’s second son, Patrick, recently updated his social media page with his plans to host a memorial service for his late father in 2024. The sportscaster seemingly used the announcement to shade his brother’s claims about not being invited to their father’s funeral, writing:
“I am in the process of planning my dad’s memorial and celebration of life for late January, and everyone who should be there will be there, and it will be amazing, trust me.”
He continued with more details about the upcoming event, adding: “This will be a tribute to the man, his family, his love of boxing, and his legendary career as an actor. I have my work cut out for me because Ryan took about 3 million photos and saved 700 thousand of them #CellyofLife.”
If fans missed Patrick’s subtle diss about “everyone who should be there will be there” at Ryan’s 2024 celebration of life, he concluded the Instagram post with a warning that read: “1. Don’t believe everything you read. 2. Consider the source. C. myob.”
The announcement came alongside a picture of someone, presumably Patrick, holding a large portrait of the late Hollywood veteran in his prime. As stated, the upcoming celebration of life announcement arrived at the heels of Griffin’s claims about Ryan’s funeral.
Griffin, alongside his older sister, Tatum, and younger brother, Redmond, were notably absent from their father’s burial in L.A., with only Patrick holding down the fort. Following the service, the oldest son told sources he was not invited to the event because of his strained relationship with the deceased. In his words:
“I wasn’t even invited to send him off. I’m the hated son who told the truth. Dark times in this family. Love means never having to say you’re sorry — and Ryan never did to anyone.”
Griffin was not the only one with a bone to pick over Ryan’s final resting place next to his late lover, Farrah Fawcett. According to the deceased actress’s close pals, she never wanted to be buried in L.A. but wished to be cremated and have her ashes returned to Texas.
However, Ryan allegedly denied her final wishes to fulfill his twisted dreams about their love story. Fawcett’s University of Texas sweetheart claimed: “She never wanted a burial or a monument where people could come gawk at her. Ryan created this narrative like it was this big love story.”
The late couple started dating in the late 70s and welcomed their son Redmond in 1985. They remained partners until 1997 when Ryan was caught in bed with the actress Leslie Stefanson. Following their split, the actor’s daughter accused him of physically assaulting Fawcett, saying: “He had a terrible temper and was very violent. He beat her up.”
Despite her claims, Ryan and Fawcett reunited in 2001 and stayed together until the actress’s death.
The actor shares Tatum and Griffin with his first wife, Joanna Moore, and welcomed Patrick with his second wife, Leigh Taylor-Young.
Ryan O’Neal’s Official Cause of Death Revealed
Days earlier, The Blast revealed Ryan’s official cause of death after obtaining his death certificate. The document announced that the “Love Story” actor passed away from “congestive heart failure” after suffering from “cardiomyopathy” for years.
Cardiomyopathy, per clinical sources, “is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.” This condition can also “lead to heart failure,” as seen in Ryan’s case.
The Hollywood icon was hospitalized at St. John’s Medical in Los Angeles when he died on December 8 at 82. His death certificate did not share any other contributing factors to his passing but listed his final resting place as the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park.
As stated, Partick broke the news of his father’s death on Instagram with a lengthy tribute. He noted Ryan did not suffer in his last moments but was surrounded by his “loving team.” Part of his message read:
“So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say, but here we go. My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us. This is very difficult for my wife Summer and me.”
