Ryan O’Neal’s cause of death has been revealed following his Dec. 8 passing at the age of 82.
According to the actor’s death certificate, which was obtained by the Blast on Friday, he died of congestive heart failure after suffering from cardiomyopathy for years.
He was hospitalized at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., when he passed.
The death certificate lists no other contributing factors.
The “Love Story” star is buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary.
Per Yale Medicine, congestive heart failure refers to the heart’s inability to meet the body’s need for blood.
As the heart weakens, blood begins to back up and force liquid through the capillary walls, which results in a buildup of fluid in the appendages and organs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiomyopathy refers to a collection of diverse heart conditions which cause the muscle to thicken, stiffen, thin out or fill with bodily substances.
Cardiomyopathy can be acquired or developed.
Ryan’s son Patrick O’Neal announced his father’s passing via a heartfelt Instagram tribute.
“So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say but here we go. My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us,” the sportscaster, 56, captioned a photo of a sunset.
“This is very difficult for my wife Summer and I, but I will share some feelings to give you an idea of how great a man he is.”
Patrick went on to call his dad his “hero” who was “bigger than life,” saying he always “looked up to him.”
“When I was born in 1967 my dad was already a TV star on ‘Peyton Place.’ That’s where he met my mom Leigh Taylor-Young, and about 9 months later (give or take a date night or two) I was born,” Patrick penned.
He made sure to list Ryan’s other major roles, including “What’s Up, Doc?” (1972), “Paper Moon” (1973), “Barry Lyndon” (1975), “A Bridge Too Far” (1977), “The Driver” (1978) and “The Main Event” (1979).
“He is a Hollywood legend. Full stop,” Patrick marveled, adding that “the growth spurt of the first name Ryan can be traced back to” his father.
The grieving son further memorialized his dad’s career in a second post, describing him as “so skilled at his craft” because he was “highly intelligent,” “adept at memorizing pages of dialogue in an hour” and “an avid reader and journal writer.”
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Ryan was also “very generous,” “lived a kick ass life” and “loved boxing,” per Patrick, who said he “never bragged” despite having “bragging rights … especially when it comes to Farrah” Fawcett, his life partner, who died in June 2009.
“And now they meet again. Farrah and Ryan. He has missed her terribly. What an embrace that must be. Together again,” Patrick concluded. “I’ll miss you dad. I love you. We love you.”
The actor shared one child with Fawcett, son Redmond O’Neal, 38.
He is also survived by daughter Tatum O’Neal, 50, and son Griffin O’Neal, 59, whom he shared with his first wife, Joanna Moore.
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