Tatum O’Neal: From Oscar Winner to Overcoming Addiction and Family Betrayal!

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Tatum O’Neal, once affected by a stroke in 2020 following an overdose, hobbled into Smashbox Studios using a cane as a reminder of her past struggle. During a manicure session, she found it difficult to recall the names of significant individuals in her life. However, when she stood before the cameras, clutching her Oscar, there was a noticeable change – she seemed revitalized. A buzz filled the atmosphere, and everyone gathered around, encouraging her. “You look like a movie star!” exclaimed her 38-year-old son Kevin McEnroe, who had journeyed from New York to bolster her throughout this story’s unfolding. And it was true – she radiated stardom. O’Neal smiled brightly in response, “Kevin, I love you!”

Tatum O’Neal, who had suffered a stroke in 2020 following an overdose, used a cane to make her way into Smashbox Studios. During a manicure appointment, she experienced difficulty recalling the names of close friends and family members. Yet, when she stood before the cameras, holding her Oscar, there was a visible transformation – she seemed full of life once more. A sense of excitement filled the air, as everyone gathered to support her. “You look like a movie star!” exclaimed Kevin McEnroe, her 38-year-old son who traveled from New York to encourage her during this project. Indeed, she did shine with the aura of a star. O’Neal responded warmly, “Kevin, I love you!

Back in April 1974, at just ten years old, I, a tuxedo-clad tomboy as I would later describe myself, won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for my role opposite my father in “Paper Moon.” This victory made me the youngest Academy Award recipient ever, a title I still hold today. The release of “Paper Moon” and my award marked the beginning of a life under constant public scrutiny, leading to teen movie stardom and a troubled reputation in the pre-internet era’s gossip columns. At the tender age of 21, when I started dating John McEnroe, then the world’s top tennis player, the tabloids went wild, causing chaos wherever we went and adding fuel to our already tumultuous relationship. In a less understanding time, I became synonymous with addiction, battling alcohol, cocaine, and heroin. This struggle led me to temporarily lose custody of my three children with McEnroe. I became a symbol, a cautionary tale for child actors, a reminder of the demons that can lurk in their path.

Despite all the chaos, O’Neal, who is currently 61 years old, continues to be a source of inspiration for Generation X, as we have grown up together with her.

O’Neal, now aged 61, remains an influential figure for Generation X, because our lives have run parallel since childhood.

And that she’s standing here at all is a miracle.

Born to parents who were both actors and addicts, she experienced a lack of care, abuse, and neglect in her childhood. At just six years old, she was given alcohol at her mother’s house. Later, after gaining full custody of her in 1970, O’Neal subjected her to physical and verbal abuse. One example of this mistreatment occurred when he learned that she had been nominated for “Paper Moon,” and he wasn’t – he responded by punching her. O’Neal, who passed away in 2023, frequently used drugs in front of her during her childhood. He would take pills, painkillers, cocaine, among others. Additionally, there was a constant flow of women coming and going from their home, as O’Neal had numerous relationships throughout her upbringing – “girls, girls, girls.

In May 2020, a severe stroke occurred in O’Neal’s Century City apartment due to an overdose on prescription pills. During the COVID-19 lockdown, she had been suffering from chronic pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis and was prescribed morphine by a doctor who seemed unaware or indifferent about her addiction issues. Feeling isolated and unable to bear life any longer, even for her children, O’Neal recalls thinking that she didn’t want to continue existing. “I love them dearly,” she admits, “but I had already given so much that another part of me just didn’t want to carry on.

Six weeks passed while she remained unconscious, and Kevin McEnroe remembers discussing her condition with a doctor who questioned whether O’Neal wished to continue living as a severely disabled person. However, he wagered that there was still life within her. “There is an indescribable part of her that endures even the most challenging circumstances she has faced herself,” he explains.

Upon waking up, O’Neal’s outlook was grim: She couldn’t speak, walk, or see. It’s been a long and arduous journey since then, but she’s persistently made progress, slowly reacquiring the skills she had lost. And her most significant advancements have come from within. “I no longer want to harm myself,” O’Neal declares, using her characteristic gravelly voice, unchanged by the passage of time. “I no longer want to abuse drugs again — I truly don’t.

Today, we’re not sharing tales of sorrow; instead, let’s delve into the resilience story of Tatum O’Neal – a journey that encompasses overcoming all obstacles. Despite never receiving an apology from her father and discovering posthumously that he disinherited her, she has found liberation from the malevolent influence he held on her life. As the photo session neared its end, photographer Nino Muñoz encouraged McEnroe to pose with his mother for a special portrait. Standing behind her, as O’Neal often noted due to his height, she leaned back, still finding her footing. “I love my son!” O’Neal exclaimed once more.

Ryan O’Neal, deeply tied to Malibu, was known as one of its most prominent residents in this seaside community. When fires recently ravaged Los Angeles County, a text arrived at O’Neal’s phone from an ex-neighbor who shared the heartbreaking news that their father’s house had been destroyed. On his social media platform, Threads, where he often posts frequently and almost obsessively, O’Neal penned: “I can hardly bear it – so sad I could cry. My father’s house has vanished, along with Malibu.

Originally, it served as her childhood residence before O’Neal took her away from her mother, Joanna Moore, who was unable to care for her due to circumstances involving Moore’s 15-year-old partner managing the household. However, Tatum wasn’t saved so much as placed in a situation ripe for exploitation, and a lifetime of striving (but ultimately falling short) to satisfy her father. Upon moving there, though, O’Neal recalls gazing at the ocean and feeling, “I am in the happiest place I have ever been.”

This version maintains the original’s meaning while using simpler language and a more conversational tone to make it easier for readers to understand.

In Malibu, it was where O’Neal initially crossed paths with Bogdanovich, yet her recollections become hazy; she can’t recall his name. McEnroe steps in to assist, making the trip to L.A. for this purpose. “Ah yes, Peter Bogdanovich!” she then exclaims. “I adored him so much.” Despite being only 8 years old, O’Neal, a charming and intelligent child, wasn’t seeking an audition but was merely presented before the director by her father.

In her gripping, heart-wrenching memoir “A Paper Life,” published in 2004, Redford’s daughter narrated that after the movie premiered in May 1973, their relationship soured. This was due to the fact that while the film and his performance were both well-received, critics singled out another actress, Tatum, as the standout. She explained that things escalated rapidly into a difficult situation.

Apart from striking her out of jealousy following her nomination, he also declined to accompany her to the Oscars. At that time, he was in Ireland, filming for Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon,” and chose not to return. Instead, O’Neal, who had chosen her tuxedo inspired by fashion icon Bianca Jagger, found herself escorted to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion by her grandparents. On that night, Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland announced the nominees, causing O’Neal to close her eyes shyly, before beaming with joy when her name was called. Up on stage, she graciously acknowledged: “I really just want to thank my director, Peter Bogdanovich, and my father – thank you.

10-year-old winning an Oscar today would trigger a complex machine working to sustain the success, for both positive and negative reasons. However, when Jodie O’Neal was offered a chance to audition for Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” for the part that eventually led to Jodie Foster’s first Oscar nomination, her father declined, finding it inappropriate due to explicitness – though perhaps his refusal was fueled by jealousy. “And I never really recovered from that.” Despite this setback, she still managed to star in some successful movies, like “The Bad News Bears” (1976), which is now a classic, and “Little Darlings” (1980) alongside Kristy McNichol and Matt Dillon, which was also well-received.

Apart from her more conventional roles, she took on peculiar projects such as “Circle of Two,” where she portrayed a 15-year-old character who developed romantic feelings for a 60-year-old artist, played by Richard Burton. As O’Neal recalls, the film they made together was disastrous, but Burton himself was exceptional. In today’s context, this project seems utterly unappealing and inappropriate. She had to bare her torso for it (“I was mortified”), and claims that Burton, a known alcoholic, attempted to ply her with alcohol before making an inappropriate advance, saying “Would you like a kiss?” O’Neal felt she was constantly treated as an adult beyond her years. “Yikes” is how she describes the experience. Despite her admiration for Richard Burton, she declined his advances, saying “No, thanks.

In terms of acting, her father’s influence took a toll on her. He was dominating and would constantly tell her that she wasn’t capable. As a result, she gradually lost confidence in herself, feeling fearful and anxious all the time.

82-year-old actor Ryan O’Neal passed away on December 8, 2023. Despite a long history of conflicts and distance, Tatum had visited him three times since her health issue, one of which was at his Malibu home just before his demise. For years, he struggled with poor health, and she was unaware that he was dying; however, he didn’t appear well in their last meeting. During this encounter, he offered her drugs. “He had been drinking, smoking a lot of pot, and he said, ‘Here, take a pill,'” she recalled. “I declined.” McEnroe, who is also sober and committed to responsibility, commented: “Whenever Tatum saw her father during my entire life, something unfortunate occurred.

In her opinion, he likely dismissed her following the publication of “A Paper Life,” her initial memoir where she extensively detailed his volatile temper. Additionally, she disclosed that a person connected to O’Neal’s group had sexually abused her, who was expelled for a short while before being reinstated in his inner circle. She remarks, “The first book I wrote was just an honest account,” and it was this honesty that seemed to have upset him.

Money can indeed be a problem; receiving a substantial amount would undeniably bring some relief. Unfortunately, O’Neal’s later career didn’t reach the same heights or financial success as before. Following her divorce from McEnroe in 1994, she attempted to return to acting, but it was around this time that she started dabbling with heroin, eventually spiraling into a severe addiction. During this tough phase, according to McEnroe, an accountant exploited her trust, stealing close to $1 million.

In her professional acting career, she takes pride in only a few roles, most notably her recurring part as Denis Leary’s brash and vulgar sister on “Rescue Me” for FX, and a guest spot in the 2003 “Sex and the City” episode titled “A Woman’s Right to Shoes.” In this episode, she played a self-righteous mom who required visitors to remove their shoes upon entering her apartment, mysteriously causing Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolos to disappear. One notable misstep was a reality series they did with her father for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN channel in 2011 titled “Ryan and Tatum: The O’Neals.” This show followed their attempt at reconciliation, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Throughout the 2010s, she accepted acting roles primarily to maintain her SAG-AFTRA insurance.

Ever since her overdose and subsequent stroke, she’s been managing financially with the earnings from investments she made in her youth when she was both prosperous and well-compensated. However, healthcare costs are burdensome; she recently underwent neck surgery, and attends speech therapy sessions twice a week as part of her rehabilitation to regain her reading abilities.

Initially, O’Neal was deeply saddened when she discovered she was not included in her father’s will. However, a strong determination began to surface within her, seemingly ignited by Ryan O’Neal’s last defiant message from beyond the grave: “Take it, jerk.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m nodding along, and I can’t help but echo McEnroe’s words: “It’s blood money.” You see, I’m referring to the documentary project about O’Neal’s life that she’s involved in. Though it’s still too early to discuss its specifics, it’s clear that this venture could bring her a substantial income.

McEnroe offers an insightful perspective: “I think the best revenge is your own success.” From his viewpoint, now that O’Neal’s father has passed away, she seems to be releasing the grip he had on her life. Unfortunately, O’Neal’s past experiences with Ryan have left a significant impact, and she’s been defined as the one who suffered his abuse.

Following the ordeal, O’Neal’s survival and ongoing recuperation seem like a triumph. Straight into her eyes, McEnroe remarks: “There wasn’t much of an urge to exclaim, ‘I can achieve remarkable feats.’ And I believe today, you can accomplish great things.

I wondered why O’Neal showed such deep affection as a parent, considering she didn’t have anyone to emulate – but this question left her speechless. McEnroe then chimed in: “She is overflowing with love – and I believe that’s something she was naturally endowed with.

She reciprocates with heartfelt words: “I had my eldest boy, and he was the happiest, most affectionate child I’ve ever known. But then we both fell into drug addiction, which transformed us significantly. Look at him now, look at me now – it’s amazing, truly amazing.” It seems they are each other’s greatest supporters. At one point, O’Neal casually mentions, “By the way, my son Kevin is a writer.” “My son Kevin is incredibly intelligent,” he adds later on.

(Note: In this context, ‘hype men’ refers to people who enthusiastically support or promote someone else, often in a playful manner.)

Our discussion takes place the day following the photo session, within the peaceful, homely dining room of the retirement community in the Valley where O’Neal has resided since she was discharged from hospitals and memory care facilities after her post-stroke rehabilitation. Prior to undergoing neck surgery in mid-January, she used to swim, exercise on a bike in the gym, and socialize with friends who dwell here. Lately, however, she’s been enduring bouts of pain. Despite her discomfort, O’Neal remains upbeat, radiating cheerfulness as we delve into some of the most challenging episodes of her life. She is an unabashed individual, sharing freely about her struggles with addiction, health issues, and her difficult father. There’s a radiant spirit within her that refuses to be dimmed.

O’Neil participates in virtual recovery sessions, yet maintaining sobriety continues to be challenging: Her birthday, November 5th, coincided with the election night, and when it became evident that Donald Trump was going to prevail, she started drinking. “I was with my friends from the LGBTQ+ community, and I thought, ‘I’ll have a glass of wine – maybe two,'” she recalls. “And then I found myself thinking, ‘Oh no: I’ve lost a day of sobriety.'” One thing McEnroe hopes for his mother is that she manages to achieve a full year without alcohol. “I’m not certain she’s ever experienced the tranquility that comes with such a milestone,” he says.

She’s struggling to recall some phrases, names, and memories, so McEnroe and I embark on a fascinating journey to recollect one of her former acting partners. O’Neal provides intriguing hints like “well-known performer,” “another remarkable British actor!” and “the Nazi!” The mystery man is eventually revealed as Christopher Plummer, with the term “Nazi” referencing his character Captain von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.” Despite some confusion, O’Neal remains cheerful, making the conversation an exciting quest. When I successfully guess “Walter Matthau” based on hints such as “well-known actor,” “my favorite New Yorker!” and “who starred alongside me in my second film,” it feels like a triumphant victory.

McEnroe states that O’Neal appears to be secure for perhaps the first time in her life, which brings comfort to him, his sister Emily, and brother Sean. However, it’s more than just security – McEnroe has noticed a significant change since O’Neal’s close brush with death in 2020. “Something has happened,” he says. “Perhaps it’s the absence of drugs and alcohol, as well as the sense of safety she now feels. And there’s this energy… this vitality…

In June, John McEnroe is set to marry in Northern California, an event marking the first time in decades, possibly even many years, that he and his ex-wife, Shaun O’Neal, will be in the same room together. Their divorce was followed by prolonged periods of bitter, hostile custody disputes and fierce arguments.

Both mother and son are confident that their reunion will be not only smooth but also wonderful. “The resentment is no more,” O’Neal notes. Kevin McEnroe appears to be quite excited. “She’s going to give a speech at the wedding,” he says. Speaking to his mother once more, he adds: “I believe that since this incident occurred, everyone has come together and wishes you nothing but the best.” In response, O’Neal simply replies: “All the positive things. All the positive things.

We’re approaching the close of this discussion, yet we find ourselves revisiting the topic of life post-Ryan O’Neal and whether his liberation has truly occurred. McEnroe expresses, “As she evolves, I believe new prospects have emerged for her. More favorable circumstances seem to be presenting themselves as she learns to appreciate the goodness in people and the world at large. A significant transformation occurred upon his passing that enabled her to embrace —

O’Neal joins in: “Yes, just Tatum! Without my dad.”

“Just Tatum is enough,” McEnroe says.

Do you feel like you’re almost there? I ask. Almost enough?

O’Neal smiles. “Yes!” she says. “Even better than almost enough.”

Styling: Linda Medvene; Makeup: Fiona Stiles/A Frame Agency/Chanel; Hair: Ericka Verrett/A Frame Agency/Oribe; Manicure: Merrick Fisher/celestineagency.com/Orly; Photographed at Smashbox Studios/Culver City. Look 1: (Dress): Badgley Mischka. Look 2 (Jacket: Zegna); Dress: ALC; Necklace: FoundRae

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2025-02-26 19:18