Tatum O’Neal Reacts to Being Cut from Father Ryan’s Will

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2025 — Tatum O'Neal, the Oscar-winning actress known for her role in “Paper Moon,” expressed a mix of heartbreak and empowerment upon learning that her late father, Ryan O'Neal, had cut her out of his will. After a turbulent relationship marked by addiction, fame, and familial strife, O’Neal, 61, shared her candid thoughts during a recent interview.

“Keep it, motherf—–,” O’Neal said regarding the inheritance she expected from her father’s estimated $30 million estate. “It’s blood money,” her son, Kevin McEnroe, 38, added, reflecting on the complicated legacy left by his grandfather. Tatum believes that her estrangement from her father after detailing their tumultuous past in her 2004 memoir, “A Paper Life,” influenced his decision to omit her from the will.

Throughout their fraught relationship, O’Neal has detailed her father’s controlling behavior and alleged abuse. Despite his death from congestive heart failure in 2023, Ryan’s legacy remains intertwined with Tatum’s own journey to recovery from addiction and personal struggles.

Describing her childhood, O’Neal recalled being first introduced to alcohol at age six in her mother Joanna Moore’s home. After her parents’ tumultuous relationship culminated in Moore losing custody, Ryan took Tatum and her brother, Griffin, into his care. She quickly became a Hollywood sensation, becoming the youngest-ever Oscar winner at just ten years old, after co-starring opposite her father in “Paper Moon.” However, the fame was a double-edged sword, with public scrutiny intensifying their familial pressures.

During the interview, O’Neal reminisced about her complicated past filled with both fame and struggle, including her tumultuous romance with tennis champion John McEnroe. The couple had three children together but filed for divorce in the mid-1990s, with custody battles stemming from Tatum’s ongoing struggles with substance abuse.

Despite her complex feelings regarding her father, O’Neal has recently felt liberated following his passing. She expressed that these changes have helped her rediscover herself: “Just Tatum! Without my dad!” she proclaimed, emphasizing her desire to separate her identity from the turbulent family history. Kevin noted that she is starting to embrace opportunities that reflect this newfound independence.

While her financial situation remains strained and her recovery from a near-fatal stroke continues, O’Neal is determined to move forward. She described the difficulties of navigating her ongoing rehabilitation while dealing with losses — including the absence of her father from her life and her battle against chronic pain and memory issues.

Through resilience, Tatum now channels her focus into a documentary about her life, hoping it will offer a financial boost. As she recalls pivotal moments, including attempts to reconcile with Ryan just before his death, O’Neal affirms an ever-growing sense of hope.

“I think the best revenge is your own success,” Kevin shared, reinforcing that their family, while marked by turmoil, seeks to inspire others with their story of survival. O’Neal’s journey reflects the enduring struggle between past shadows and the pursuit of personal emancipation as she steps forward into her future.