Ryan O’Neal Blames Family Drama on Oprah
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Ryan O’Neal says he and daughter Tatum are more estranged than ever, and Oprah Winfrey is to blame.
“We only reconciled on the show, not in life,” the actor told TV Guide, referring to the eight part docu-series he and Tatum starred in on Winfrey’s newly-launched ”Oprah Winfrey Network” (OWN) earlier this summer.
“In fact we’re further apart now than when we started the show,” he said. “So thanks, Oprah, for all your help.”
Father and daughter, who appeared together in the 1973 film “Paper Moon,” for which the then-10-year-old Tatum won an Oscar, endured a 25-year estrangement, much of it displayed in the public eye.
“In one word, pride,” Ryan told “Good Morning America” in June of what drove him and his daughter apart. “I thought I had all the pride. It turned out, no, there’s someone with more than me.”
The duo began talking again after the death of his Ryan’s longtime girlfriend, actress Farrah Fawcett, in 2009, and agreed to star in the reality series for OWN that documented their attempts to work through the estrangement and improve their relationship.
“Ryan & Tatum: The O’Neals,” which premiered June 19, showed the pair in therapy sessions, celebrating Tatum’s birthday and traveling together to the Palm Springs Film Festival for a screening of Paper Moon.
“It was a way back when there weren’t many paths,” Ryan told “GMA” in June, of why he and Tatum turned to a reality show to repair their strained father-daughter bond.
It turns out the reality of those hopeful moments on the reality show were not so real, after all.
In clips from the show’s final episode in August, the two remain conflicted towards each other, even while agreeing to continue therapy.
Both Ryan and Tatum agreed on “GMA,” after filming for the show had wrapped, that their relationship remained “tenuous.”
“It’s a work in progress,” Tatum said on “GMA.” “Relationships are tricky.”
This is not the first time O’Neal has hit back against Oprah for her involvement, or lack thereof, in the show.
“I thought that was the thing – that Oprah would be there and use her magic on us,” he told xfinityTV in June. “I thought she’d bless us and that would help. We spent New Year’s Eve with her, and she was very encouraging. Then we never saw her again. And haven’t heard from her. When she finished her show, I supposed she’d come by and talk to us, but they said no, she’s going on holiday. So Tatum and I were left to deal with each other on our own.”
A spokesman for OWN had no comment.
Ryan O’Neal’s camp is now furiously backpedaling on the TV Guide quote.
“That is a very old statement that the magazine just published,” O’Neal’s spokesman, Arnold Robinson, told “GMA.” “They are of course still working on strengthening their relationship, which is an on-going process.”
Robinson also noted that Tatum O’Neal joined her father in court a few weeks ago to offer support as her half-brother, Redmond, Ryan’s son with Fawcett, faced another drug charge.
TV Guide responded to Robinson’s characterization of O’Neal’s quotes in a statement to ABC News.
“We interviewed Ryan O’Neal recently, and published his quotes shortly thereafter. We stand by our story,” Debra Birnbaum, the magazine’s editor-in-chief told ABC.
Whatever the truth, life is more complicated than reality TV. Perhaps there’s room for a sequel.
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How pathetic is this. Their relationship is strained because they are both egotistical, self-centered, point the finger type people. Oprah is awesome, but to claim she’d use her “magic”? Give me a break! Wake up people – get professional help and work through your issues. This statement is laughable!
Posted by: lanaugen | September 12, 2011, 10:52 am 10:52 am
Ryan ONeal is a jerk and a loser. I’m not suprised he’s blaming Oprah. HA! As if all the years of being a terrible father had nothing to do with it. Nope, it’s all Oprah’s fault. Now, I’ve heard everything. someone needs to be in rehab and fast! I feel sorry for his daughter. What a loser for a father; no wonder they have issues.
Posted by: carole | September 12, 2011, 11:07 am 11:07 am
Ryan O’Neal is conducting his own Pity Party! He is stuck in the past and today. Kind of reminds me of Groundhog Day!
Posted by: Howard | September 12, 2011, 11:28 am 11:28 am
And hittinkgon his duaghter at Mom’s funeral is not part of the problem?
Posted by: Puffbuster | September 12, 2011, 11:32 am 11:32 am
Didn’t he just recently blame Farrah?
Posted by: Joe Lowery | September 12, 2011, 11:42 am 11:42 am
Why must people blame their problems on someone else? Clearly, there are problems. I bet Ryan O’Neil and Tatum are very much alike so it is easy for them to create conflict. In the past it was reported that Ryan had anger management issues with Farrah. Why would Farrah never marry Ryan? It is time to set egos aside and really find out what the problem. Lately, I have run across a lot of egos that need to be deflated. Is it the economy? Is it the sign of the times?
Posted by: Giulia | September 12, 2011, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
Blames Oprah on family drama? Never mind the fact that Ryan was never much of a father, which is why his son, Redmond is in trouble with the law.
Posted by: Ed | September 12, 2011, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
WOW….I doubt there is enough therapy / time in the world to fix Ryan O’Neill!! What a bum, blaming everyone under the sun for his problems!! Maybe his first grade teacher bears some blame too…Ha Ha Ha!!! Gotta feel sorry for his kids as they are a product of his selfish lifestyle!! He has been proven to be a liar, a thief, drug addict, lousy husband / significant other and doG awful parent!!! He is WINNING….not!!!
Posted by: Boxers 911 | September 12, 2011, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
Finally a celebrity has had the courage to call Oprah out for what she is! How many family members has she victimized over her many years of sitting in judgment with her self-annointed “experts” like Dr. Phil (who was stripped of his license by his board)? Her New Age reign of terror has torn family after family apart in real life while it’s been hugs and kisses on her show in exchange for cars she didn’t even buy! The woman is dangerous and catastophically damaging to the psyche of America! Kudos indeed to Mr. Ryan for speaking out in such a courageous way against what was done to his relationship with his daughter at the hands of Ophra!
Posted by: tvhumphrey | September 12, 2011, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
I watched the series and felt terribly sad for them both. Tatum is a grown woman but seriously in need of her father’s love. She appears to be starving for something she will need get; you are not ten anymore but what close to fifty? Put the little girl doubts behind you and be a positive influence on your children. As for Ryan, yes, I also feel for him. He is deeply troubled but yet we seem to forget he is seventy. Ryan and Tatum just make the best of it; don’t analyze or blame each other. You are father and daughter its just that simple; love each other and take what comes; You are both beautiful in your own way and fortunate in many ways that some are not.
Posted by: Beverlee Ockwell | September 12, 2011, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm
Listen, all Tatum wants is a solid relationship with her father whom obviously she wants a relationship with and for the longest time. Doesnt Ryan GET IT!!!! He doesnt see the hurt that Tatum has gone through he is so self-absorbed in himself and his own woes. Sheesh, get a life Ryan, lay down and experience life itself instead of making it hard on everyone else around you. Believe me they are not out to get you and you need to control your anger management. At least Tatum has addressed her issues publicly and that is hard thats for sure. I am sure her children love her too despite all her misfortunes and shortcomings. ROCK ON TATUM, you will be fine, dont let your father bum your life out if he cant seem to “see” what YOU are all about. I know your a fighter but sometimes is easier to let go. Ryan: Please look at your daughter for who she is, its funny you have no problem looking at your drug addicted son with love, you just cant see to see the reality of your life in perspective.
Posted by: Wendy | September 12, 2011, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
Ryan’s always been a complete A$$!! Classic of him to blame what HE’S done wrong on an appearance on Oprah. He’s always been a loser and he’ll never change. I just feel sorry for Tatum that her luck of the draw was getting this jerk as a father.
Posted by: demnme | September 12, 2011, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Guy has needed to be institutionalized for many years, now – just one of the certifiable space cases that are known to be walking among us. He’ll go off the deep end soon enough…
Posted by: Aaron Ververs | September 12, 2011, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Ryan O’Neal seems to have the emotional breadth and maturity of a turnip (although that may be insulting turnips). What a loser.
Posted by: ponygirl | September 12, 2011, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm
He’s seems to live life in a very odd way adn his daughter acts like a inmature 20 year old instead of a grown much older woman. SHe blames everyone except her own weakness for her addictions. AS far as Oprah goes… She just sucks in general.
Posted by: TN | September 12, 2011, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
IF he wants to see who to blame – go to a mirror.
Posted by: kay | September 12, 2011, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
Oprah is not my cup of tea. I think she is harsh and one-sided. I don’t think people should kiss-up to her either. I stopped watching her years ago.
Posted by: bb | September 12, 2011, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
How sad it all is! Ryan O’Neal, you need to grow up as a person! I feel soryy for you.
Posted by: Ana Vieira | September 13, 2011, 12:23 am 12:23 am
Something tells me this was Tatum and Oprah’s idea for a show. Ryan has messed up but so has Tatum. I watched every episode and Tatum just can’t let go. Things could be going very nicely and then she brings up some acient slight that she can’t let go of. And then they go round and round all over again. Ryan is sorry, has told her so, tells her he loves her, hugs her, buys her gifts and talks nice to her. He badly wants a relationship with her. What the heck is her problem? Tatum needs to grow up and take responsiblitly for her own drug taking in her adult life. I wonder how much of a wonderful mom she has been for her own kids? Didn’t she lose custody? Sure did. Maybe she wanted to do this show to show her own kids it was all her father’s fault. Let it go arleady. I like the both of them still but think that Tatum enjoys making her father upset over her. There is no more he can do for her peace of mind. That’s up to her. I wonder what her kids think of her as a mother. Should be interesting.
Posted by: Becky | September 17, 2011, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
I think that the underlying problem is that it seems Ryan was only interested in rekindling the relationship after the death of Farrah. Where was he before that? He is a sorry example of a father, now that hes getting old he doesnt want to be alone with no family. And no its not his fault his kids are addicts but why are both of them? I know plenty of men that remarry and the only children in their life are the new wifes or the ones they have together. Its about time men stop fathering children only to be sperm donors.
Posted by: paula | September 17, 2011, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
Just to clarify: from the series it was stated that Tatum showed up for the funeral….. and that Ryan was surprised. It seems that Tatum came home when Farrah was gone. She was jealous as a young person, and many times when a child has gone through something emotionally, their emotional growth is stunted. Tatum seems to live for the daddy she remembers before he gave another kind of love to Farrah. It so sad. Tatum could be a much happier lovelier person….. holding on to memories and feelings from childhood is not healthy. Ryan O’Neal has demonstrated much love. He may have tendencies to erupt, fly off the handle…. But if my daughter said to me what Tatum has said to her dad, I would erupt as well. In the series I saw Ryan trying. Tatum wants the sympathy….. Her dad’s arms are open. Forget what they have went through many many years ago. That’s over. They are two different people. It seems to me that Ryan’s arms were open, Tatum wanted to battle…. So sad…. None of us have done everything perfect in raising our children. Glass houses, stones, pointing finger and all that. Offer up a prayer for them.
Posted by: Yvonne from Texas | September 29, 2011, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm
Ryan,
Don’t listen to this nonsense that people are writing. You can always change if that is what you desire. I feel that at this time in your life you should meet new friends that you could enjoy being with. Have fun with new beginnings. If it is too difficult to mends fences at this time, then don’t. Just move on to new friendships. Keep busy with your new friends and enjoy, laugh and watch the waves together. It is easy to meet new friends if you start getting out. Don’t look for blame anywhere. In time with your new friendships, you will be so busy and have a lot of laughs. Let the stress go for a while. Try not to take on all your adult children’s problems. They are adults now and have to find their own way out of their situations. If you were gone they would be forced to so just go on that way. You are not a bad man, you just need to turn the new leaf over. The past is the past and if you messed up, it is behind you. For the future, just go in with positive out look and have fun with friends and the dogs. Whatever makes you happy and laugh!
Good luck.
Posted by: Deb | October 10, 2011, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm
And there lies the biggest mistake: thinking that Oprah, who is just a promoter for quackery, has some “magic” formula to fix their relationship. O’Neal claims Oprah “left them alone”. Guess what: in order to fix any relationship, ultimately, two people NEED to be left alone and WORK on it, not await for some quack guru to fix it by “blessing” them. These are spoiled people, that drink heavily, do a lot of drugs and need “spokepearsons” to speak for themselves. They probably needed (or just wanted) some more cash and that’s why they decided to make their “fixing of the relationship” public by doing a reality show. Pathetic…
Posted by: Alessandro Martin | January 1, 2012, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm