--- name: "Ryan O'Neal" canonical: "https://film.one/person/ryan-oneal" fi1m_id: "ryan-oneal" imdb_id: "nm0641939" tmdb_id: 31070 wikidata_id: "Q272923" roles: ["Actor"] born: "20 April 1941" died: "8 December 2023" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-10-02T21:56:05.754160+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Ryan O'Neal ## Identity Ryan O'Neal - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ryan-oneal - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** ryan-oneal - **IMDb ID:** nm0641939 - **TMDB ID:** 31070 - **Wikidata ID:** Q272923 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_O%27Neal, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q272923, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0641939/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/31070 Actor. Born 20 April 1941 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Died 8 December 2023. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 20 April 1941, Los Angeles, California, USA - **Died:** 8 December 2023 - **Active:** 1970–2005 - **Also known as:** Charles Patrick Ryan O'Neal - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 76 (3), 2000s 74 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 69 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 3 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 5, Comedy 2, Crime 2, History 1, Mystery 1, Romance 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $199m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_O%27Neal, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q272923, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0641939/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/31070 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Bones*](https://film.one/tv/bones.md) (70) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Ryan O'Neal > Ryan O'Neal was most persuasive when directors trusted his restraint and comic timing. We rate him for the cool distance of *Barry Lyndon* and the lightness that Peter Bogdanovich put to work in comedy. In *Barry Lyndon* (1975), Ryan O'Neal does not try to make a shallow opportunist seem more complicated than he is. He keeps the performance restrained, letting us watch Barry without insisting that we sympathise. We were surprised by how firmly he held our attention, precisely because he does so little to solicit it. This is the O'Neal we rate most highly, an actor whose coolness becomes useful when a director knows what to do with it. The early work was in television, including *Peyton Place* (1964–69), before *Love Story* (1970) gave him his romantic breakthrough opposite Ali MacGraw. The clean-cut looks were an obvious advantage, but they do not account for the comic timing. Peter Bogdanovich put that to work opposite Barbra Streisand in *What's Up, Doc?* (1972), then alongside Tatum O'Neal in *Paper Moon* (1973). These are useful films for anyone inclined to dismiss him as merely handsome. He could keep things light, and Bogdanovich understood the value of that. Stanley Kubrick makes a more demanding use of his detachment in *Barry Lyndon*. John Alcott's candlelit images hold our attention alongside O'Neal's restraint; the leading man does not need to compete with them. Some critics judged him too contemporary for the period setting, and his performance initially met with a mixed reception. We do not share that objection: Barry's shallowness is a reason for keeping the acting spare, and O'Neal does not decorate it with unnecessary displays of feeling. A busier performance would not cure the stretches when the pace becomes tiring. Walter Hill found another setting for that cool detachment in the noir of *The Driver* (1978). The later career lost momentum, with some roles attempting to revive his earlier appeal, though recurring television work such as *Bones* (2005–17) found a use for his reliability. For us, Kubrick and Bogdanovich remain the directors who made the clearest use of what he could do. For the fullest test of his restraint, start with *Barry Lyndon*, and allow the film its time. ## Biography Ryan O'Neal was an American actor. Born in Los Angeles, he trained as an amateur boxer before beginning his career in acting in 1960. In 1964 he was cast as Rodney Harrington in the ABC soap opera *Peyton Place*. O'Neal achieved film stardom with the lead role in *Love Story* (1970), for which he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. He went on to star in *What's Up, Doc?* (1972), *Paper Moon* (1973), Stanley Kubrick's *Barry Lyndon* (1975), *A Bridge Too Far* (1977) and *The Driver* (1978). From 2005 to 2017 he had a recurring role as Max Keenan in the Fox series *Bones*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, theguardian.com, telegraph.co.uk, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Bones* (2005), Fi1m 70, as Max Keenan — [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md) - *Desperate Housewives* (2004), Fi1m 78, as Rodney Scavo — [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md) - *Barry Lyndon* (1975), Fi1m 85, as Barry Lyndon — [page](https://film.one/film/barry-lyndon.md) - *Paper Moon* (1973), Fi1m 86, as Moses Pray — [page](https://film.one/film/paper-moon.md) - *Love Story* (1970), Fi1m 57, as Oliver Barrett IV — [page](https://film.one/film/love-story.md) ## Complete filmography (63) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Knight of Cups* (2015), as Ryan - *Unity* (2015), as Narrator (voice) - *Slumber Party Slaughter* (2012), as William O'Toole - *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, Actor - *What About Brian* (2006), series, Actor - *Bones* (2005), series, as Max Keenan — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md) - *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Rodney Scavo — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md) - *Miss Match* (2003), series, as Jerry Fox - *Malibu's Most Wanted* (2003), as Bill Gluckman - *Gentleman B.* (2003), as Phil · Bank Manager - *People I Know* (2002), as Cary Launer - *Epoch* (2001), as Allen Lysander - *The List* (2000), as Richard Miller - *Bull* (2000), series, Actor - *Coming Soon* (1999), as Dick - *An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn* (1998), as James Edmunds - *Zero Effect* (1998), as Gregory Stark - *Timecop* (1997), series, Actor - *Sink Or Swim* (1997), as Dr. Applefield - *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor - *Faithful* (1996), as Jack Connor - *Man of the House* (1995), as Man with Kite (uncredited) - *The Man Upstairs* (1992), as Mooney Polaski - *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as Ryan O'Neal — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md) - *Good Sports* (1991), series, as Bobby Tannen - *Small Sacrifices* (1989), as Lew Lewiston - *Small Sacrifices* (1989), series, as Lew Lewiston - *Chances Are* (1989), as Philip Train - *Sam Found Out: A Triple Play* (1988), as Pimp - *Tough Guys Don't Dance* (1987), as Tim Madden - *Fever Pitch* (1985), as Taggart - *Irreconcilable Differences* (1984), as Albert Brodsky - *Partners* (1982), as Sgt. Benson - *So Fine* (1981), as Bobby Fine - *Green Ice* (1981), as Joseph Wiley - *Circle of Two* (1981), as Theatre Patron (uncredited) - *The Main Event* (1979), as Eddie "Kid Natural" Scanlon - *Oliver's Story* (1978), as Oliver Barrett IV - *The Driver* (1978), as The Driver - *A Bridge Too Far* (1977), as Brig. Gen. James M. Gavin - *Nickelodeon* (1976), as Leo Harrigan - *Barry Lyndon* (1975), as Barry Lyndon — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/barry-lyndon.md) - *Paper Moon* (1973), as Moses Pray — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/paper-moon.md) - *The Thief Who Came to Dinner* (1973), as Webster McGee - *What's Up, Doc?* (1972), as Howard Bannister - *Wild Rovers* (1971), as Frank Post - *Love Hate Love* (1971), as Russ Emery - *Mean Justice* (1971), as Tal Garrett - *Love Story* (1970), as Oliver Barrett IV — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/love-story.md) - *The Games* (1970), as Scott Reynolds - *The Big Bounce* (1969), as Jack Ryan - *Felony Squad* (1966), series, Actor - *Peyton Place* (1964), series, as Rodney Harrington - *Empire* (1962), series, as Tal Garrett, Tai, Tai Garrett - *The Virginian* (1962), series, as Ben Anders - *My Three Sons* (1960), series, as Chug Williams - *The Untouchables* (1959), series, as Bellhop (uncredited) - *The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis* (1959), series, as Herm - *Leave It to Beaver* (1957), series, as Tom Henderson - *Perry Mason* (1957), series, as John Carew - *Wagon Train* (1957), series, as Paul Phillips - *Bachelor Father* (1957), series, Actor - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Art Anderson ## Gallery - ![Ryan O'Neal](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-caeede1b4aab.jpg) Ryan O'Neal — Wire photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Ryan_Oneal_-_1968.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Male cast from the television series Empire. Back from left:Warren Vanders as Chuck Evans, Ryan O'Neal as Tal Garret. Front from left: Richard Egan as Jim Redig (1963)](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-c91df2078850.jpg) Male cast from the television series Empire. Back from left:Warren Vanders as Chuck Evans, Ryan O'Neal as Tal Garret. Front from left: Richard Egan as Jim Redig (1963) — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Empire_male_cast_1963.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Photograph of the American film star Ryan O’Neal during his visit to Finland (around June 22).](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-6bdd3610c00e.jpg) Photograph of the American film star Ryan O’Neal during his visit to Finland (around June 22). — Antero Tenhunen / Yleisradio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Ryan-ONeal-1970-a.jpg/1280px-Ryan-ONeal-1970-a.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Photograph of the American film star Ryan O’Neal during his visit to Finland.](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-a2a6886e125c.jpg) Photograph of the American film star Ryan O’Neal during his visit to Finland. — AnonymousUnknown author / Lehtikuva, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Ryan-ONeal-1970-b.jpg/1280px-Ryan-ONeal-1970-b.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ryan O'Neal](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-0443b8febe97.jpg) Ryan O'Neal — Image via TMDB - ![Ryan O'Neal](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-6fc74fbaf6fb.jpg) Ryan O'Neal — Image via TMDB - ![Ryan O'Neal](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-04b2bd67da19.jpg) Ryan O'Neal — Image via TMDB - ![Photo of Ryan O'Neal from the television series Empire. (1962)](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-a21e1d24c007.jpg) Photo of Ryan O'Neal from the television series Empire. (1962) — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Ryan_O%27Neal_Empire_1962.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Ryan O'Neal, surrounded by Playboy bunnies, tries out the pool table in the playhouse of Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion West in Holmby Hills. (1971)](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-411b933aaa5c.jpg) Ryan O'Neal, surrounded by Playboy bunnies, tries out the pool table in the playhouse of Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion West in Holmby Hills. (1971) — Tony Barnard, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Ryan_O%27Neal_playing_pool_at_the_Playboy_Mansion.jpg/1280px-Ryan_O%27Neal_playing_pool_at_the_Playboy_Mansion.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ryan O'Neal](https://film.one/media/person/106223/gallery-61e3ea4c9b15.jpg) Ryan O'Neal — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1971: Best Actor (nominated), for *Love Story* ### Golden Globes — 0 won, 2 nominated - 1973: Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *Paper Moon* - 1970: Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (nominated), for *Love Story* ### Other awards — 1 won, 2 nominated - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor 1998: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor (nominated), for *An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn* - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor 1988: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor (nominated), for *Tough Guys Don't Dance* - David di Donatello for Best Foreign Actor 1971: David di Donatello for Best Foreign Actor (won), for *Love Story* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ryan-oneal