Ryan O’Neal famously starred alongside Ali MacGraw in the megahit “Love Story.” (photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures/Getty Images)

Ryan O’Neal was a true Californian, and with his all-American good looks and natural charm, he was almost destined for stardom. O’Neal died on Dec. 8, at the age of 82.

Born on April 20, 1941, in Los Angeles, his father Charles was already in the industry, writing such films as “The Seventh Victim” and “Lassie’s Great Adventure.”

O’Neal attended University High School, but graduated from the American school in Munich, Germany, where his father was working on a series at the time. Upon returning to the United States, the young actor landed his first big television appearance in “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.” More guest spots quickly followed, including in “My Three Sons,” “Perry Mason” and “The Virginian.”

His big break came in 1964, when he was cast in the television adaptation of “Peyton Place,” the first weekly serial drama of its kind. Initially airing twice, and then later three times a week, his character, Rodney Harrington, became one of the most popular on the series. His love triangle with Mia Farrow and Barbara Parkins’ characters became one of the central storylines, and by the mid-1960s, the actor was a household name.

“There were times when he made me laugh so uncontrollably that we had to stop shooting,” Farrow remembered in an Instagram post. “He was my first, very secret crush. I was so shy I could barely look at him.”

He stayed with “Peyton Place” until its cancellation in 1969, and then made an almost-seamless transition to film roles. “The Big Bounce” was his first major film, but it was 1970’s “Love Story” that made him an international star. The movie, co-starring Ali MacGraw, was a sensation, O’Neal was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, and the film popularized the quote, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

“Working with Ryan, all those years ago, was one of the great experiences of my film career, and we remained friends ever after,” MacGraw said in a statement. “He was a skilled actor, charming and funny too.”

More movie roles followed, including “What’s Up, Doc?” The Peter Bogdanovich-directed screwball comedy co-starred Barbra Streisand, with whom he was briefly romantically involved, the actress recently revealed in her memoir, “My Name is Barbra.”

“So sad to hear the news of Ryan O’Neal’s passing,” Streisand said. “He was funny and charming, and he will be remembered.”

“Paper Moon,” also directed by Bogdanovich, proved to be one of the actor’s greatest successes. He was cast opposite his daughter, Tatum O’Neal, who went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

He also starred in Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon,” “The Thief Who Came to Dinner,” “Nickelodeon,” “A Bridge Too Far” and “Oliver’s Story.” He reteamed with Streisand for “The Main Event.”

His career cooled in the 1980s, although he appeared in “Partners” and the hit “Irreconcilable Differences” with Shelley Long and Drew Barrymore. He appeared more frequently on television, making a short-lived series, “Good Sports” and opposite in a Katharine Hepburn-telefilm in one of her last performances, “The Man Upstairs.”

He continued to star in movies and television shows, from “Faithful” and “Hacks,” to “Desperate Housewives” and “Bones,” in which he had a recurring role. His last film performance was in Terrence Malick’s 2015 drama “Knight of Cups.” In 2016, he toured in a production of “Love Letters,” reuniting with “Love Story” star MacGraw. In 2021, MacGraw and O’Neal were awarded stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a dual ceremony.

O’Neal’s tumultuous personal life included his first marriage to Joanna Moore, mother of Tatum and his son Griffin. He later married “Peyton Place” co-star Leigh Taylor Young, with whom he had another son, Patrick. His other relationships included Ursula Andress, Jacqueline Bisset, Diana Ross, Angelica Huston, Melanie Griffith and Joan Collins.

In 1979, he began a long-term partnership with Farrah Fawcett, and the couple had a son, Redmond James Fawcett O’Neal. After several years of separation, Fawcett and O’Neal reunited as he underwent treatment for leukemia in 2001. He remained with Fawcett until her 2009 death from cancer.

His relationship with his children was strained for many years, though in recent years Tatum had indicated that their relationship had repaired.

“He meant the world to me,” she said in a statement. “I loved him very much and know he loved me too. I’ll miss him forever and I feel very lucky that we ended on good terms.”

Flowers were placed on Ryan O’Neal’s star following his death on Dec. 8. The star is located at 7057 Hollywood Blvd. (photo courtesy of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce)