2024-04-01 18:59:53
Hardly any film has ever touched the heart like “Love Story”. In addition to Ryan O’Neal, this was also thanks to the leading actress Ali MacGraw. That’s what she’s doing today.
Romance films are a dime a dozen. But one thing is still remembered by many, even 53 years later: “Love Story”, the story of two college students that has made generations reach for more than just a tissue. The film premiered in December 1970 and today Ali MacGraw turns 85 years old.
A heart-touching story about an unlikely couple: Oliver (played by Ryan O’Neal) comes from the financial nobility of the American East Coast and addresses his father as Sir. Jenny (Ali MacGraw) comes from a working class background. Her father, whom she affectionately calls Phil, bakes small rolls or pies.
Oliver is studying law, Jenny is studying music. They fall in love and become a couple, for whom fate has a devastating end in store. The phrase “Love means never having to ask for forgiveness” has haunted fans’ minds for decades.
“Love Story,” which grossed over $130 million worldwide on an estimated budget of just $2.2 million, lives primarily from its main actors: How many children were named after Oliver and Jennifer? How many couples have been inspired by all these love moments? Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw became stars overnight and were nominated for Oscars for their roles. However, both came away empty-handed at the time.
There was no great success
The big success after “Love Story” also failed to materialize. Ali MacGraw, who celebrates her 85th birthday today, has appeared in five or six other films in recent years. She remained loyal to television. For example, she was briefly seen in “The Denver Clan”. The actress then withdrew from the film industry, left Hollywood and devoted herself to books and yoga.
Her love life was ups and downs, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. She was married three times during this time. First she said yes to Robin Martin Hoen. The marriage ended in divorce after two years. She then married the film producer Robert Evans, with whom she has a son.
“A part of me died”
She also married her fellow actor Steve McQueen. The two had incredible chemistry. “Most of the time he was incredibly attractive, but there was also a dangerous side; he could be a bad boy,” she once told People magazine.
He was nine years older than her at the time, demanded that she stay at home and didn’t want her to make any more films. “A part of me died.” She gave up her career for Steve McQueen. When Ali MacGraw took on a role again, the marriage broke up in 1977. A few years later, Steve McQueen died of cancer. She hasn’t been married since.
Ryan O’Neal died in December 2023
Ryan O’Neal was also married several times, his last marriage broke up in 1974, similar to Ali MacGraw. The actor, however, remained loyal to the film industry for longer. For example, he starred in “90210”, but also in “Desperate Housewives” and “Bones: The Bone Hunter”.
In December 2023, Ryan O’Neal died of heart failure at the age of 82. In 2012, the actor made his prostate cancer public. He had already been diagnosed with leukemia in 2001.