Ryan’s son Patrick O’Neal, a longtime Los Angeles sportscaster, organized the intimate funeral, which was attended by approximately 25 family members and close friends. The ceremony took place at Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Following the service, Ryan was buried beside Farrah Fawcett, fulfilling a wish he had expressed after her death. The couple shared a famously complicated relationship that lasted decades, marked by both deep affection and public turmoil. During their later years, they cared for one another through serious illnesses—Farrah supported Ryan during his leukemia treatment, while Ryan remained by her side as she battled anal cancer until her death in 2009.
Their shared burial site, however, has not been without controversy. Some of Farrah’s longtime friends questioned whether being buried beside Ryan reflected her wishes. Former college boyfriend Greg Lott publicly claimed she had not wanted a public memorial site, while television producer Craig Nevius also questioned whether Ryan had the authority to make burial decisions.
Others strongly defended Ryan. Actress Alana Stewart, one of Farrah’s closest friends, dismissed suggestions that he had manipulated the situation.
She described their relationship as a genuine love story despite its many difficulties, saying they remained devoted to one another through life’s hardest moments.
Following Ryan’s death, Patrick O’Neal has become one of his father’s strongest public defenders. He has repeatedly responded to criticism of Ryan and has worked to preserve his legacy.
In 2024, Patrick criticized the Television Academy after Ryan was initially omitted from the Emmy Awards’ “In Memoriam” tribute. After publicly expressing his disappointment, Ryan was later included in the televised memorial.
While Ryan O’Neal’s career included unforgettable performances that secured his place in Hollywood history, his personal life remained complex until the end. His story reflects extraordinary professional success alongside decades of family conflict, reconciliation, illness, and enduring love—particularly his lifelong bond with Farrah Fawcett, beside whom he now rests.