Tatum O’Neal, 10-Year-Old Oscar Winner And Bad News Bear: Then And Now
By | January 9, 2019
Kristy McNichol (left) and Tatum O'Neal in the 1980 film 'Little Darlings.' (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
Tatum O'Neal's performances in Paper Moon (1973) and The Bad News Bears (1976), films she made before turning 13 years old, made her a child star, a critically acclaimed actress and America's young sweetheart. O'Neal was born in 1963, to actors Ryan O’Neal and Joanna Moore, and clearly had acting in her blood. Like many child stars, O'Neal has lived a life of well-documented highs and lows: critical acclaim, addiction, estrangement from family, and a volatile high-profile marriage (to tennis star John McEnroe). Former child star Tatum O'Neal has always fascinated the American public, and continues to do so today.
Tatum O'Neal Played A Lovable Prepubescent Con Artist
Tatum O’Neal in Paper Moon. Source: (bigeddyfilmfest.com)
Tatum O'Neal portrayed Addie Loggins in Paper Moon (1973). O'Neal played opposite her famous father in the now classic movie and was only 8 years old when filming began. Ryan O'Neal portrayed a man who made his living taking advantage of people, and Tatum portrayed a kid turned con artist. Tatum O'Neal won an Academy Award for her role in that film earning her the status of the youngest actor to ever win an award in the history of the Academy, a distinction she still holds. After her stellar performance, she was in high demand in Hollywood.
From The Start, Tatum O'Neal Was An American Sweetheart
Tatum O’Neal. Source: (hindustantimes.com)
In addition to winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1974, O'Neal also won a Golden Globe Award for New Star Of The Year (Actress).
O'Neal's Second Film, 'The Bad News Bears,' Was Also A Classic
Tatum O’Neal in Bad News Bears. Source: (youtube.com)
Following her early success, O’Neal went on to star in other films including The Bad News Bears (1976), Nickelodeon (1976) and International Velvet (1978). She was an exceptional child actor so it was no surprise that she kept busy filming in Hollywood.
Hollywood Couldn't Get Enough Of Tatum O'Neal
Kristy McNichol and Tatum O’Neal in Little Darlings. Source: (platinumfallacies.tumblr.com)
After O’Neal grew out of "little girl" roles, she went on to star and appear in films including Little Darlings (1980) and Circle Of Two (1981). That’s also about the time she began appearing on TV shows and series including Faerie Tale Theatre and CBS Schoolbreak Special. It was also around this time that she was known to hang out with Michael Jackson.
Tatum O'Neal And Tennis Star John McEnroe Were Married In 1986
John McEnroe and Tatum O’Neal/Wedding. Source: (chron.com)
O'Neal and McEnroe had dated for two years before tying the knot. In the less than ten years they were together, they had three children.
Tatum O'Neal's later work includes appearances on Sex And The City, 8 Simple Rules and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. In the mid-'90s, following a performance in the Jean-Paul Basquiat biopic Basquiat (1995), Tatum O’Neal took a break from acting. She later began appearing in guest-starring roles on network television beginning in the early 2000s including some highly rated sitcoms and dramas.
Tatum O’Neal Competed On 'Dancing With The Stars'
Tatum O’Neal on Dancing With The Stars. Source: (photogramas.com)
O'Neal took to the celebrity dance floor in 2006, which was Dancing With The Stars' second season. She finished in 9th place.
Tatum And Ryan Have Had Their Issues
Tatum O’Neal and Ryan O’Neal. Source: (nydailynews.com)
O’Neal and her father Ryan suffered a strained and broken relationship for over 25 years. In 2011, they reconciled and briefly starred in a series on Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), a reality show called Ryan and Tatum: The O'Neals.
Tatum O'Neal Has Struggled With, And Conquered, Addiction
Tatum O’Neal on the Today Show (2018). Source (today.com)
O'Neal's most substantial TV work in recent years has been the lead role on the MyTV series Wicked Wicked Games and a recurring role on Denis Leary's FX series Rescue Me throughout its seven-season run. In 2018, Tatum O’Neal appeared God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness. Although she is still acting, O’Neal has not been without her demons. Throughout her career, she has struggled with addiction, relationship, and social issues. Often child stars find themselves in that same spot. Fortunately, she has overcome many of these and has a bright future. Looking at her today, she still has that same fresh, innocent look she had as a child.
