Actress Ali MacGraw breaks silence after Ryan O’Neal’s death at 82
Ali MacGraw, the co-star of Ryan O’Neal in the iconic 1970 film “Love Story,” has spoken out following the actor’s passing at the age of 82.
In a tribute shared after O’Neal’s death on Friday, MacGraw, now 84, reflected on her experience working with the late actor.
“Working with Ryan, all those years ago, was one of the great experiences of my film career, and we remained friends ever after,” MacGraw wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. “He was a skilled actor, charming and funny too. I know that a huge part of my success was due to his generosity as my co-star.”
Expressing her devastation at O’Neal’s illness and eventual passing, MacGraw shared that she was not surprised to learn of his death, given his long-term health struggles.
“It has been devastating to know just how ill Ryan has been for many years now, and I was not surprised to learn that he had passed away yesterday morning,” she wrote. “My heart goes out to all four of his children and to the people who loved him most.”
O’Neal’s cause of death has not been released. In 2012, the actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a decade after he was first diagnosed with chronic leukemia.
Directed by Erich Segal, “Love Story” follows a pair of Harvard College students from different backgrounds who fall head over heels in love and marry before tragedy strikes.
The film has been celebrated as one of the most romantic movies of all time, earning seven Academy Award nominations and saving Paramount Pictures from financial ruin. It made $130 million at the worldwide box office and both O’Neal and MacGraw received Oscar nominations for their performances.
In 2020, the pair celebrated the 50th anniversary of the film’s premiere and reflected on the lasting impact of “Love Story.”
Despite the film’s famous line, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” MacGraw shared that the phrase doesn’t necessarily hold true.
“I’ve learned that we can make terrible mistakes with the people we love,” she said. “Try not to do it again — and try to clean up the hurt. It’s the truth.”
Ryan O’Neal is survived by his four children, and his co-star MacGraw hopes he “will find peace at last.”