Net Worth Ranker
What Was Ryan O’Neal’s Net Worth?
At the time of his passing in December 2023, Ryan O’Neal, the American actor, had a net worth estimated at $30 million. This figure includes the value of his Malibu beach house, estimated at $5 million, and the contentious Andy Warhol portrait of Farrah Fawcett, which had an estimated appraisal value of $24 million in 2018. The portrait’s value was the subject of a legal battle in 2011.
Ryan O’Neal’s career began in the 1960s with his role as Rodney Harrington on the ABC primetime television soap opera “Peyton Place.” He went on to star in numerous films, including “Love Story” (1970), “What’s Up, Doc?” (1972), “Paper Moon” (1973), “Barry Lyndon” (1975), and “The Driver” (1978). Later, he had a recurring role on the Fox series “Bones.” His relationship with model/actress Farrah Fawcett, which began in the 1970s and lasted until her death in 2009, also contributed to his public profile.
Details of Property Assets and Legal Disputes
A significant component of Ryan O’Neal’s net worth was his real estate, notably his Malibu beach house. Though specific details of the property transactions, such as the purchase price and any mortgages, were not publicly available, the $5 million valuation represents a notable asset. His connection to Farrah Fawcett was marked by a long-term, on-again, off-again romantic relationship and a son, Redmond O’Neal. There were also legal battles over assets after her passing.
Farrah Fawcett’s will set aside $4.5 million in trust for Redmond O’Neal, her son with Ryan. This trust had specific conditions. It appointed Richard Francis as trustee and permitted Redmond only to receive the interest generated by the trust. The principal could only be accessed for healthcare purposes at the discretion of Richard Francis. Funds were not available for legal defense or bail.
The dispute over the Andy Warhol portrait of Farrah Fawcett began after her death when the University of Texas at Austin, her alma mater, was to receive her art collection. The university discovered that Warhol had produced two portraits of Fawcett. The university suspected Ryan O’Neal had taken the second portrait. This suspicion was confirmed in 2011 when it was seen on “Ryan and Tatum: The O’Neals,” his reality series with his daughter Tatum O’Neal, hanging in the master bedroom of his Malibu beach house.
In court, Ryan O’Neal argued that he arranged the portrait session with Warhol. He maintained that he had an agreement with Farrah to each receive one of the two portraits. In December 2013, a jury ruled in Ryan’s favor, allowing him to keep the painting. The painting had an estimated value of $18 million at the time, but was appraised at $24 million in 2018. It potentially could be worth $40 million today.
Ryan O’Neal’s Career Milestones and Earnings
Ryan O’Neal began his acting career with appearances on television shows in 1960, including “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” and “General Electric Theater.” He also appeared in episodes of “Bachelor Father,” “Laramie,” and “Leave It to Beaver” in 1961. In 1962, he got his first regular role as Tal Garrett on the NBC series “Empire.” After “Empire” ended in 1963, he made guest appearances on “The Virginian,” “Perry Mason,” and “Wagon Train.”
His breakthrough came with “Peyton Place,” which ran from 1964 to 1969. His role as Rodney Harrington made him nationally famous. After “Peyton Place,” O’Neal starred in the television film “Love Hate Love.” After a break from television, he starred with Farrah Fawcett in “Small Sacrifices” (1989). Later, they were in the sitcom “Good Sports” (1991). O’Neal then starred with Katharine Hepburn in “The Man Upstairs” (1992).
In the early 2000s, O’Neal had a recurring role on TNT’s “Bull,” and appeared in “Epoch.” He also starred in the short-lived “Miss Match” in 2003, and had recurring roles on “90210” and “Bones.”
O’Neal’s film debut was in “The Big Bounce” (1969). He followed this with roles in “The Games” and “Love Story” (1970). “Love Story” earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He then starred in “Wild Rovers” (1971) with William Holden.
He then acted opposite Barbra Streisand in Peter Bogdanovich’s “What’s Up, Doc?” (1972), which was a success. He later reunited with Bogdanovich in “Paper Moon” (1973), where he starred alongside his daughter, Tatum O’Neal, who won an Academy Award. O’Neal also starred in “The Thief Who Came to Dinner” with Jacqueline Bisset in 1973.
In 1975, O’Neal starred in Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon.” He was also in “Nickelodeon” and “A Bridge Too Far.” In 1978, O’Neal starred in “The Driver” and “Oliver’s Story,” a “Love Story” sequel. He concluded the decade in “The Main Event,” with Barbra Streisand.
In the 1980s, O’Neal appeared in “So Fine,” “Green Ice,” “Partners,” “Fever Pitch,” and “Tough Guys Don’t Dance.” He had minor successes with “Irreconcilable Differences” and “Chances Are.” In the 1990s, O’Neal acted in “Man of the House,” “Faithful,” “Hacks,” “An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn,” and “Zero Effect.” His later roles include “Malibu’s Most Wanted” and “Knight of Cups.” Specific salary figures for O’Neal’s film and television roles were not widely publicized.
