History of Tatum O'Neal in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 9, 2026

Tatum O'Neal is an American actress best known for becoming the youngest person to win a competitive Academy Award for her role in "Paper Moon" at age 10, co-starring with her father, Ryan O'Neal. Following her early success, she starred in films like "The Bad News Bears," "Nickelodeon," and "Little Darlings." O'Neal has also appeared in television, with guest roles in 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.

Others born on this day/year

1964: Brother Griffin Born

In 1964, Tatum O'Neal's brother, Griffin, was born.

1967: Parents' Divorce

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

1972: Filming Paper Moon

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

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May 1973: Paper Moon Release

In May 1973, the film Paper Moon was released, starring Tatum O'Neal and her father, Ryan O'Neal. Tatum played the role of Addie Loggins.

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1973: Ryan O'Neal and Leigh Taylor-Young Divorce

In 1973, Ryan O'Neal and Leigh Taylor-Young, Tatum O'Neal's step-mother, divorced.

April 2, 1974: Academy Award Win

On April 2, 1974, at the age of ten, Tatum O'Neal won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year for her performance in Paper Moon.

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1976: Starred in The Bad News Bears and Nickelodeon

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

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1978: Starred in International Velvet

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

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1980: Starred in Little Darlings and Circle of Two

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

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1984: Faerie Tale Theatre Episode

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

In 1984, Tatum O'Neal began a relationship with tennis player John McEnroe and 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.

1993: Basquiat Film

In 1993, Tatum O'Neal appeared in the film Basquiat as Cynthia Kruger.

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1994: Divorce from John McEnroe

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

1998: Custody Loss

In 1998, due to 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 claimed that Tatum O'Neal tried to seduce him, which he denied.

2004: Autobiography Release

In 2004, Tatum O'Neal released her autobiography where she denied Michael Jackson's claims and stated that their relationship was platonic.

PAPER LIFE

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2004: Allegations in Autobiography

In her 2004 autobiography, A Paper Life, Tatum O'Neal alleged that she was molested by her father's drug dealer and detailed physical and emotional abuse by her father and her heroin addiction.

PAPER LIFE

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2005: Rescue Me Recurring Role

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

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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. She was eliminated in the second round, but later did commentary for the series on Entertainment Tonight.

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2006: MyNetworkTV Drama Role

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

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2007: Film My Brother

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

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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. She was charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance and released without bail.

July 2, 2008: Guilty Plea and Drug Treatment

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

2008: Lifetime Film Fab Five

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

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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.

2011: Relationship Restoration with Father

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

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2011: Memoir Release

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, her marriage to McEnroe, and her drug arrest.

Found: A Daughter's Journey Home

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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 Massive Stroke

In May 2020, Tatum O’Neal suffered a massive stroke caused by a prescription drug overdose. She was in a coma for a month and a half and lost the ability to speak, having to relearn everything.