Tatum O'Neal Biography

Tatum O'Neal is best known for starring in films such as "Paper Moon" and "Little Darlings". Tatum Beatrice O'Neal was born on November 5, 1963 in Los Angeles, California to actors, Ryan O'Neal and Joanna Cook Moore. O'Neal had one sibling by the name of Griffin who would also go on to act.

O'Neal's debut was in the 1973 film, "Paper Moon" which also starred her father, Ryan O'Neal and Madeline Kahn. The film would earn O'Neal an Academy Award for "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" as well as a Golden Globe for "Most Promising Newcomer". Three years later, O'Neal starred in the films, "The Bad News Bears" with Walter Matthau and "Nickelodeon" with her father along with Burt Reynolds and John Ritter. In 1978, O'Neal made the film, "International Velvet" with Christopher Plummer and Anthony Hopkins. During this time, O'Neal began a relationship with pop singer, Michael Jackson which would last one year. In 1980, she starred in the films, "Circle of Two" and "Little Darlings" with Kristy McNichol and Matt Dillon. Five years later brought about the lead role in the film, "Certain Fury" with Peter Fonda and Irene Cara. That same year, O'Neal would marry tennis star, John McEnroe. The marriage would produce three children and would last seven years. A long custody battle for the children was waged after the divorce and was eventually won by McEnroe. In 1992, O'Neal starred in the independent film, "Little Noises" with Crispin Glover and Tate Donovan. The year after, she won the role of "Lawrencia Bembenek" in the television movie, "Woman on the Run: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story".

O'Neal's next role wouldn't come until 1996 in the film drama entitled, "Basquiat" with Benicico Del Toro, Claire Forlani, David Bowie, Dennis Hopper, Christopher Walken, William Dafoe and musician turned actress, Courtney Love. In 1997, O'Neal's mother passed away from lung cancer. In 2002, O'Neal starred in the film, "The Scoundrel's Wife" with Tim Curry and Lacey Chabert. The following year brought about the film, "The Technical Writer". The next three years she starred in guest appearances on television shows such as, "Sex and the City", "8 Simple Rules...for Dating My Teenage Daughter", "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and FX's "Rescue Me". In 2005, O'Neal's explosive autobiography was released entitled "A Paper Life". In it, allegations of mental and physical abuse along with severe neglect against both of her parents were made. O'Neal also went on to tell of drug problems and her violent marriage to tennis star, John McEnroe. In 2006, O'Neal starred in the film, "My Brother". Tatum O'Neal's most current role to date is playing the vengeful character, "Blythe Hunter" in the television series, "Wicked Wicked Games".