Tatum O'Neal's Brutal Response To Late Father Ryan O'Neal's Decision To Cut Her Out Of His Will

Late Ryan O’Neal‘s daughter, Tatum O’Neal, had a scathing response after being asked about being left out of her father’s will.

The pair’s tumultuous relationship, detailed in her 2004 memoir “A Paper Life,” included allegations of his drug use and violent temper.

Despite the estrangement, Tatum O’Neal noted the inheritance would have aided her medical expenses following a 2020 stroke.

Article continues below advertisement

Tatum O’Neal’s Response To Being Excluded From Father Ryan O’Neal’s Will

Tatum O'Neal and her father Ryan O'Neal
MEGA

When Tatum found out that her father’s $30 million fortune would not be passed down to her in his will, she candidly expressed her feelings in an interview with Variety by saying, “Keep it, motherf-cker.”

The relationship between Tatum and her father was notoriously troubled. In her memoir “A Paper Life” from 2004, Tatum revealed the challenges of her childhood, including her father’s drug abuse in her presence, his numerous relationships, and his violent outbursts.

Although Tatum acknowledged the strained relationship with her father, she also mentioned that the inheritance would have been beneficial, especially considering her ongoing medical bills resulting from a stroke caused by a drug overdose in 2020, as well as the $1 million stolen by an accountant that she is trying to recover.

Article continues below advertisement

In the interview, Tatum speculated that her 2004 memoir, “A Paper Life,” which exposed her father’s violent behavior and the abuse she endured within his circle, was the reason for her exclusion.

“The first book that I wrote was just a f-cking honest book. And that’s what got him,” Tatum reflected.

Article continues below advertisement

Tatum O’Neal Reflects On Final Encounters With Father Ryan O’Neal

Tatum O'Neal and her father Ryan O'Neal
MEGA

Tatum recalled that during one of their final meetings before his passing in December 2023 at age 82, Ryan, aware of her struggles with addiction, still offered her drugs.

“I know he was drinking, smoking a lot of pot, and he was like, ‘Here, take a pill.’ I was like, ‘No, thank you,'” she said.

However, Tatum’s son, Kevin McEnroe, claimed that his mother had consumed alcohol that day.

Reflecting on their family’s history, he remarked, “Every single time she’s seen her dad my entire life, something happens.”

Kevin also described Ryan’s wealth as “blood money,” adding that “the best revenge is your own success.”

He also shared that his mother was finally “letting go of how much space he took up in her life,” adding that Tatum was “defined as the person who was abused by Ryan.”

Article continues below advertisement

Tatum O’Neal On Her Historic Oscar Win And Its Impact On Her Relationship With Her Father

Tatum O'Neal and her father Ryan O'Neal
MEGA

Tatum and her father’s rift, which lasted 25 years, began after they starred together in “Paper Moon” (1973), where they played the lead roles of Moze and Addie.

At just eight years old during filming, Tatum delivered a performance that would earn her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 10, making her the youngest person ever to win an Oscar in a competitive category.

The “Little Darlings” star has previously spoken about her father’s resentment toward her after she won an Academy Award.

“He loved me, but then hated me because I won the Academy Award,” she revealed. While Ryan did send her a congratulatory note, her mother reportedly never acknowledged the achievement.

Article continues below advertisement

Reflecting on the aftermath of her historic win, she admitted, “Weird sh-t happened. It kind of went in the wrong direction to happiness.”

The Father And Daughter Tried To Fix Their Relationship

Ryan O'Neal's Death Certificate: Official Cause of Death Revealed
MEGA

In 2011, Tatum and her father, Ryan, made an effort to repair their strained relationship through the reality series “Ryan & Tatum: The O’Neals.”

However, despite their attempts at reconciliation, their bond remained complicated over the years.

A few months before Ryan’s passing, Tatum reunited with him to celebrate his 82nd birthday on April 20, 2023.

The following day, she posted a touching photo of them smiling together at his Los Angeles home, captioning it, “Happy birthday, Dad. I love you.”

Regardless of their troubled past, Tatum always held love for her father. “I love my dad,” she said, per the Daily Mail. “I mean, I’ve had a hard life with my dad — but I still love him.”

Article continues below advertisement

Tatum O’Neal Struggled With Addiction

Tatum O'Neal and her father Ryan O'Neal
MEGA

Like her father, Tatum struggled with addiction, and in May 2020, she experienced a near-fatal overdose of prescription drugs, which resulted in a massive stroke affecting her right frontal cortex.

She had taken a combination of painkillers, opiates, and morphine before a friend found her unconscious in her apartment and rushed her to the hospital.

Tatum eventually lost custody of her three children, Kevin, Emily, and Sean, to her ex-husband, John McEnroe, due to her heroin use.

Now, she continues her journey to recovery, working to regain her ability to read and recently undergoing neck surgery.

You May Also Like

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Faces Four New Sexual Assault Lawsuits as Time Limit for Reporting Gender-Based Violence Cases Ends

Stars from ‘Gossip Girl’ Pay Tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg

The cast and crew of Gossip Girl honored their former costar Michelle…

Teddi Mellencamp Shares First Social Media Update After Surgery for Multiple Brain Tumors

Teddi Mellencamp has shared her first social media post after undergoing brain…

Hailey Bieber urged to consider leaving Justin Bieber due to his strange actions, reports suggest

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber have been facing rumors about their marriage…

Suki Waterhouse shows that old-school shoes are becoming trendy again

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on…

Alan Cumming Alleges That His Ex-Wife Did Not Believe His Childhood Abuse Claims

Alan Cumming claims that his ex-wife Hilary Lyon initially expressed disbelief when…

The Story of Gene Hackman and His Wife Betsy Arakawa

Gene Hackman, the acclaimed actor who won an Oscar, was married to…

Nadya Suleman’s children remember scary moments in documentary preview

Octomom Nadya Suleman’s 14 children have a lot to say in the…

Meghan Markle Gives a Glimpse of Her Upcoming Netflix Series, Which Royal Supporters Find Soothing.

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has shared a sneak peek of…