Tatum O'Neal (Photo/flixster)
Tatum Beatrice O'Neal, daughter of actor Ryan O'Neal, is an American actress best known for her film work as a child actress in the 1970s. She remains, at the age of 10, the youngest actor to win a competitive Academy Award in Paper Moon (1973).
During her childhood and teenage years, O'Neal starred in notable films such as The Bad News Bears (1976) with Walter Matthau, International Velvet (1978) with Christopher Plummer and Anthony Hopkins, and Little Darlings (1980) with Kristy McNichol.
O'Neal also appeared in the less-successful film Nickelodeon (1976) with her father Ryan, and Circle of Two (1980) with Richard Burton. She appeared as the title character in the Faerie Tale Theatre episode Goldilocks and the Three Bears (1984).
O'Neal's acting career slowed down as she became busy being wife and mother to John McEnroe and their children. She appeared in five films during the next 15 years. One notable role of hers was in Basquiat (1996).
In the early 2000s, O'Neal began acting more frequently and made guest appearances on Sex and the City, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, and Law and Order: Criminal Intent.
In 2005, O'Neal began a recurring role as Maggie Gavin on the firehouse drama series Rescue Me, portraying the unbalanced and lively sister of Tommy Gavin, played by Denis Leary. O'Neal's character is married to a firefighter in her brother's firehouse. O'Neal's dad, Ryan O'Neal was long time friend to Farrah Fawcett ~ here is their story.
In January 2006, she participated in the second season of ABC's reality series Dancing with the Stars and then went on to do a commentary for the series on Entertainment Tonight. 2006 to 2007 she starred in Wicked Wicked Games, and My Brother (2007).
She currently has one feature film in production, scheduled for release in 2009.
I felt privileged to be a facet of such a jewel in the crown of American cinema." - Tatum O'Neal
Comments
I had NO idea that Tatum's mother was "Peggy" on the Andy Griffith show - man, so sad of abuse on both sides - kind of like Michael Jackson too.
No WONDER these "things" happen to them, although they do have the final choice to make.
But can kids do that? And then their mistakes follow them into adult-hood. well, I wish her the best and that things can only get better - for Tatum.
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