Ryan O’Neal’s Love Story costar Ali MacGraw remembered him with a heartfelt statement following his death on Friday at age 82.
‘Working with Ryan, all those years ago, was one of the great experiences of my film career, and we remained friends ever after,’ she told People over the weekend.
The 84-year-old star added, ‘He was a skilled actor, charming and funny too.’
MacGraw played O’Neal’s love interest in the 1970 film, which was written by Erich Segal.
Her statement continued, ‘I know that a huge part of my success was due to his generosity as my costar.’
Ryan O’Neal’s Love Story costar Ali MacGraw remembered him with a heartfelt statement following his death on Friday at age 82; pictured in 2015
‘Working with Ryan, all those years ago, was one of the great experiences of my film career, and we remained friends ever after,’ she told People over the weekend; pictured in a still for Love Story in 1970
Speaking about his declining health she noted regretfully, ‘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.’
MacGraw added that ‘thankfully, [O’Neal] was surrounded by his son Patrick and a small group of lifelong, close friends.’
‘My heart goes out to all four of his children and to the people who loved him most.
‘Ryan and I worked together again several years ago with the road company for Love Letters. It was a wonderful experience, and I shall miss him and the fun we shared……and I pray that he will find Peace at last,’ she finished the statement.
In a 2020 Town & Country interview, the costars insisted they still had chemistry 50 years after filming their breakout roles as Jennifer Cavalleri and Oliver Barrett IV.
Talking about their enduring connection forged by the movie, O’Neal joked: ‘It’s been a fast 50. I don’t have those relationships with my wives!’
Love Story was a bona fide hit, raking in an impressive $130 million worldwide as well as earning seven Oscar nominations.
‘The chemistry has managed to sustain itself for 50 years,’ explained O’Neal.
‘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,’ Ali said on Saturday; pictured in 2015
The two are pictured as as Jennifer Cavalleri and Oliver Barrett IV in a scene from Love Story
In a 2020 Town & Country interview, the costars insisted they still had chemistry 50 years after filming their breakout roles as Jennifer and Oliver
‘By the [day after the release], there were lines around the block all over the country, and then the world,’ said MacGraw. ‘It was just stupefying. Totally insane.’
And speaking to People in 2021, she noted that she and O’Neal ‘just clicked.’
When they reunited in 2015 for the play Love Letters, Ryan teased, ‘We are more than friends. She is like my sister, only she had better lock her door at night so I can’t get in there.
‘We have some unfinished business, and we are running out of time!’
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