How Ryan O’Neal and His Son Patrick Bonded over Their Love of Sports

Ryan O’Neal shares a great passion with his son Patrick O’Neal — their mutual love of sports.

The actor — who died on Friday at the age of 82 — supported his son Patrick, 56, in his career as a television announcer, which was juxtaposed with his love of the sport and early beginnings as a professional boxer.

Patrick, who announced his father’s death on Friday, described the late actor as his “biggest fan” as he spoke about their lifelong relationship with the sport earlier this year.

“He is my best friend. I love him and my dad is my biggest fan,” Patrick told the LA Downtown News in July.

“To hear him tell me how proud he is of me for my work going play by play [Los Angeles] Angels is really special to me. I made my dad proud… dad always gives me full support.”

In August, Patrick spoke about his relationship with his late father Ryan over sports.

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Ryan O’Neal’s life in photos

Ryan’s love of sports predates his acting career as he began as a professional boxer in the 1950s. He had some success, winning 18 of 22 fights, including 13 by knockout, the paper reported, before turning to acting in 1960.

Patrick began his career following in his father’s footsteps as an actor, which he admits “definitely helped me get an agent and auditions”, landing minor roles in films such as Die Hard 2 (1990) and Pacific Blue (2000) but he always closely followed the world of sports.

“I’ve always loved sports and when I watched the games, I would always focus on the broadcasters,” said Patrick na Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast in August.

“I loved SportsCenter and ESPN when it took off, ’83, ’84, ’85. I kind of idolized those guys who were in charge of SportsCenter,” he added.

Ryan pictured with son Patrick at a 2013 NHL playoff game.

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Ryan O’Neal, Oscar nominee Love story Old, died at 82

After failing to get the role in 2001 Family of brothersPatrick had an “epiphany” to switch careers in sports broadcasting and secured his first role on Fox Sports Radio in 2000, he told the LA Downtown News.

Since then, he’s covered landmark victories for the Lakers, Los Angeles Angels and Kings and was the first to interview Kobe Bryant after the late NBA legend scored 81 points in 2006 — all proud accomplishments witnessed by his late father.

“He’s great. I’m blown away. He’s turned me into a real Angels fan and he’s very good at what he does,” Ryan told the outlet.

In turn, Patrick supported his father in his acting career and in his later accomplishments, including the veteran star’s honor on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a moment for both of them.

Patrick O’Neal (L) and his father Ryan O’Neal attend the NHL playoff game between the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on May 23, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.

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“I am thrilled that we have given him the star he deserves on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where he will live for generations to come,” Patrick told LA Downtown News.

However, when asked how he reflected on his storied career, Ryan was adamant that he lives in the present.

“I haven’t started thinking yet,” he explained at the time. “But when I do, you’ll be the first to know.”

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On Friday, Patrick announced in an Instagram post that his father Ryan “passed away peacefully.”

“So this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to say, but here we go. My dad passed away peacefully today, with his dear team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us,” his post began. “This is very difficult for my wife Summer and I, but I will share some feelings with you to give you an idea of ​​what a great man he is.”

He continued: “My father, Ryan O’Neal, was always my hero. I looked up to him and he was always larger than life. When I was born in 1967, my dad was already a TV star on Peyton Place. That’s where he met my mom Leigh Taylor-Young, and about 9 months later (more or less over a dinner party or two) I was born.My dad became an international movie star with Love Story in the early 1970s, a decade he completely destroyed starring in films like What’s Up, Doc?, Paper Moon, Barry Lyndon, A Bridge Too Far, The Main Event and The Driver.”

The tribute then highlighted his father’s legendary status in the world of show business, detailing his achievements.

“He’s a Hollywood legend. , the name Ryan peaked after Love Story (the movie that saved Paramount Studios and earned my dad a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame),” Patrick concluded his post.

The late actor was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001 and prostate cancer in 2012, although he announced in 2013 that he was “cancer free.” The cause of his death has not yet been announced.

Ryan is survived by his four children: Tatum, 60, and Griffin, 59, whom he shared with Joanna Moore; Patrick, whom he shared with Leigh Taylor-Young; and Redmond, 38, whom he shared with Farrah Fawcett.

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Source: HIS Education