Ryan O’Neal was reunited with his once-estranged daughter Tatum and her three children on Sunday, as they posed for their first family picture together in 17 years.
The legendary Hollywood actor, 79, looked frail but elated in the snap, as he sat flanked by his grandson Sean, 32, and Oscar winner Tatum, 56.
Also featured in the heartwarming image were Tatum’s other children Kevin, 34, and Emily, 29 – whose father is tennis icon John McEnroe.
Family: Ryan O’Neal (second left) was reunited with his daughter Tatum (centre) and her kids (L-R) Sean, Emily and Kevin on Sunday, as they posed for their first family picture in 17 years
Sharing the photo on his Instagram account, Sean celebrated the fact that they were all together with their grandfather after several years of estrangement.
‘This is one of the most memorable photos of my life,’ he wrote. ‘The last time we were all together was at the 30-year Paper Moon Anniversary in 2003.
‘I could cry tears of gratitude that everyone in this photo is still alive and that we were all able to come together again after so many years of hardship.
The most memorable of days: Sean, 32, uploaded the same image to his Instagram Stories
Heartwarming: Sharing the photo on his Instagram account, Sean celebrated the fact that they were all together with their grandfather after several years of estrangement
‘The entire West Coast is burning, but if the O’Neals can reconcile, truly anything is possible #Reconciliation #Forgiveness #Wholeness #Love #FAMILY.’
At 10, Tatum became the youngest person to win a competitive Academy Award for her performance, alongside her father, in the 1973 comedy-drama Paper Moon.
Tatum and Ryan, who have both had battles with substance abuse, have had a famously volatile relationship that resulted in a falling out that lasted nearly 25 years.
They began to restore their broken relationship in 2011, which was captured, in part, in the short-lived Oprah Winfrey Network series Ryan and Tatum: The O’Neals.
The way they were: Actor Ryan and Tatum are pictured with the actress’ children back in 2003
However, the volatility of their relationship appeared to have bubbled to the surface once again, as Tatum revealed in 2018 that she wanted to reconcile with her father.
She said on Megyn Kelly Today, she said: ‘I want to say to my dad, if you’re watching this, I love you. I’ve always loved you and forgiveness is the best policy.’
The veteran actress continued: ‘I don’t want to hold on to anger and resentments. I want to have a free, happy and guilt-free life.
‘My dad did a lot of good for me and I have to just respect his life and his process. Maybe someday he and I will have a moment where we [reconcile].’
Milestone: At 10, Tatum became the youngest person to win a competitive Academy Award for her performance, alongside her father, in the 1973 comedy-drama Paper Moon
One of Tatum and Ryan’s most bizarre encounters occurred in 2009, when they both attended the funeral for his former partner Farrah Fawcett.
Ryan admitted to flirting with his daughter – whose mother is Joanna Moore – at the service without realising who she was.
He explained: ‘I had just put the casket in the hearse and was watching it drive away, when a beautiful blond woman comes up and embraces me.
‘I said to her, “You have a drink on you? You have a car?” She said, “Daddy, it’s me – Tatum!”‘
Sad: Despite a phenomenal start to her career, Tatum endured many years of substance abuse
The A Bridge Too Far actor admitted that the surreal incident epitomised their complex relationship.
Ryan – who was estranged from his daughter for decades – said: ‘That’s our relationship in a nutshell. You make of it what you will.’
In her 2004 autobiography, A Paper Life, Tatum alleged that she was molested by her father’s drug dealer when she was aged just 12.
Among the bombshell claims in her tome were allegations that she endured physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her father, blaming his own drug use.
However, her famous dad denied the allegations, saying in a statement: ‘It is a sad day when malicious lies are told in order to become a “bestseller”.’
Reaching out: In February, Tatum sent her father, Ryan, an emotional Valentine’s Day message
However, things have evidently been far more harmonious between the pair, as Tatum sent her dad a Valentine’s Day message amid his health woes.
The actress shared an adorable photo of herself and her father both laughing hysterically while sitting next to each other on the front stoop of a home.
‘I found a picture of us in better times,’ she began in her lengthy and emotional caption.
‘I want to tell you that I am me because of you, and I mean all my good qualities,’ the former child star continued.
‘The way I have taught my children the joy of irony and how to love. The ability to laugh ourselves. Love of movies.’
Family support: Tatum was at her father’s side when he received treatment for his heart condition days earlier in Los Angeles
And then in a reference to their two-decade estrangement, she added: ‘I wish things could be different that I could have made choices you could be more proud of. I have to live with myself and take pride in the woman I am today for better or worse.’
She ended heartfelt message by confessing that all she wanted was ‘for you to feel my love for you and know there is no preexisting reasons except that I love you.!! Just know that! Baby Mozart at your feet. Love your daughter.’
The Valentine’s wishes came two days after Tatum posted a now-deleted picture of her dad looking gaunt as he received treatment for his heart while Tatum looked on.
‘With my legendary dad !! Trying to get his heart fixed up!!,’ Tatum wrote, along with two broken heart emojis and two sparkling heart emojis.
Tatum shares her three children with ex-husband John McEnroe, who she divorced in 1994, six years after their tied the knot.
Ex: Tatum shares her three children with ex-husband John McEnroe (pictured), who she divorced in 1994, six years after their highly publicised 1986 wedding
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