History of Tatum O'Neal in Timeline

Tatum O'Neal is an American actress who achieved early fame and recognition. At just 10 years old, she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Paper Moon," making her the youngest person to ever win a competitive Oscar. Following this success, she starred in films like "The Bad News Bears," "Nickelodeon," and "Little Darlings." Later in her career, she also took on guest roles in popular television series such as "Sex and the City," "8 Simple Rules," and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 5, 1963: Tatum O'Neal Born

On November 5, 1963, Tatum Beatrice O'Neal was born. She is an American actress known for becoming the youngest person to win a competitive Academy Award.

Others born on this day/year

1964: Birth of Griffin O'Neal

In 1964, Tatum O'Neal's brother, Griffin, was born to Ryan O'Neal and Joanna Moore.

1967: Divorce of Parents

In 1967, Tatum O'Neal's parents, Ryan O'Neal and Joanna Moore, divorced. Her father quickly remarried actress Leigh Taylor-Young.

1972: Filming Paper Moon

In autumn 1972, during the filming of Paper Moon, Tatum O'Neal turned nine years old.

May 1973: Paper Moon Release

In May 1973, the film Paper Moon, starring Tatum O'Neal as Addie Loggins, was released. She played a child con artist being tutored by a Depression-era grifter played by her father.

1973: Ryan O'Neal Divorces Leigh Taylor-Young

In 1973, Tatum O'Neal's father, Ryan O'Neal, divorced Leigh Taylor-Young.

April 2, 1974: Academy Award Win

On April 2, 1974, Tatum O'Neal won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Paper Moon. She also won the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress, becoming the youngest ever to win a competitive Academy Award.

1976: The Bad News Bears and Nickelodeon Films

In 1976, Tatum O'Neal starred in The Bad News Bears with Walter Matthau and co-starred in Nickelodeon with her father.

1978: International Velvet Film

In 1978, Tatum O'Neal starred in International Velvet with Christopher Plummer and Anthony Hopkins.

1980: Little Darlings and Circle of Two Films

In 1980, Tatum O'Neal starred in Little Darlings with Kristy McNichol and co-starred in Circle of Two with Richard Burton.

1984: Faerie Tale Theatre Appearance

In 1984, Tatum O'Neal appeared as the title character in the Faerie Tale Theatre episode "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

1984: Relationship with John McEnroe Begins

In 1984, Tatum O'Neal's relationship with tennis player John McEnroe began when she moved into his apartment in New York City.

1986: Marriage to John McEnroe

In 1986, Tatum O'Neal and John McEnroe married.

1992: Separation from John McEnroe

In 1992, Tatum O'Neal and John McEnroe separated.

1994: Divorce from John McEnroe

In 1994, Tatum O'Neal and John McEnroe divorced.

1996: Basquiat Film Appearance

In 1996, Tatum O'Neal appeared in the film Basquiat as Cynthia Kruger.

1998: McEnroe Gains Custody of Children

In 1998, due to Tatum O'Neal's drug problems, John McEnroe obtained custody of their children.

2002: Michael Jackson Interview

In a 2002 interview with Martin Bashir, Michael Jackson said that Tatum O'Neal tried to seduce him, but he was terrified by the idea of sex.

2004: Autobiography Release and Jackson's Claims Denial

In 2004, Tatum O'Neal denied all of Michael Jackson's claims in her autobiography and stated that her relationship with Jackson was platonic.

2004: Allegations of Abuse in Autobiography

In her 2004 autobiography, A Paper Life, Tatum O'Neal alleged that she was molested by her father's drug dealer when she was 12 and detailed physical and emotional abuse by her father. Her father denied the allegations.

2005: Rescue Me Recurring Role

In 2005, Tatum O'Neal began a recurring role as Maggie Gavin in the firehouse drama series Rescue Me, portraying the sister of Tommy Gavin.

January 2006: Dancing with the Stars Participation

In January 2006, Tatum O'Neal participated in the second season of ABC's reality series Dancing with the Stars with professional partner Nick Kosovich. They were eliminated in the second round.

2006: Wicked Wicked Games Role

From 2006, Tatum O'Neal portrayed Blythe Hunter in the MyNetworkTV drama Wicked Wicked Games.

2007: My Brother Film

In 2007, Tatum O'Neal appeared in the film My Brother opposite Nashawn Kearse and Vanessa Williams.

June 1, 2008: Arrest for Drug Possession

On June 1, 2008, Tatum O'Neal was arrested for buying crack cocaine near her Manhattan apartment building and charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance.

July 2, 2008: Guilty Plea for Disorderly Conduct

On July 2, 2008, Tatum O'Neal pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection with her drug arrest and agreed to spend time in a drug treatment program.

2008: Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal Film

In 2008, Tatum O'Neal appeared in the Lifetime film Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal, portraying the mother of the main character.

2010: RuPaul's Drag Race Appearance

In 2010, Tatum O'Neal appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race and stated that her father did not attend the Academy Awards ceremony with her due to his busy schedule.

2011: Reconciliation with Father

In 2011, Tatum O'Neal and her father, Ryan O'Neal, began to restore their relationship after 25 years. Their reunion was captured in the series Ryan and Tatum: The O'Neals.

2011: Found: A Daughter's Journey Home

In 2011, Tatum O'Neal wrote a new collection of memoirs, Found: A Daughter's Journey Home, which dealt with her relationship with her father, volatile marriage to McEnroe, and recent drug arrest.

2015: Dating Women

In 2015, Tatum O'Neal said she had begun dating women, while choosing not to identify herself as homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual.

May 2020: Suffered a Stroke

In May 2020, Tatum O’Neal suffered a massive stroke caused by a prescription drug overdose. She was discovered unconscious by a friend and the stroke left her in a coma for a month and a half.