Griffin O'Neal

Griffin Patrick O'Neal (born October 28, 1964) is an American actor. He has appeared in films such as The Escape Artist, April Fool's Day, The Wraith, Assault of the Killer Bimbos, and Ghoulies III.

Early life and career Griffin O'Neal was born in Los Angeles to actor Ryan O'Neal and his first wife, actress Joanna Moore (born Dorothy Joanne Cook). Griffin has an older sister, Tatum O'Neal, and two younger half brothers, Patrick O'Neal and Redmond O'Neal. Griffin's grandfather was novelist and screenwriter Charles "Blackie" O'Neal. His paternal ancestry is Irish, English, and Ashkenazi Jewish.

Early in his childhood, O'Neal and his sister lived with their mother in squalid conditions. Their mother struggled with drug and alcohol addiction while they were in her care. She eventually lost custody of them. Film critic Vincent Canby of the New York Times wrote in 1982 that Griffin O'Neal "shares with his sister a natural screen presence." Likewise, film critic Leonard Maltin wrote that Griffin O'Neal has a "pleasing screen presence".

O'Neal was cast in Francis Ford Coppola's 1987 film Gardens of Stone, but he asked to be replaced after he caused a boating accident that killed Coppola's elder son Gian-Carlo.

Personal life Griffin left Los Angeles in 2007 and moved to a small town near the Mexico border. They have a daughter together. He has been married to Joanna Berry since 2008 and has three children.

Substance abuse and relationship with Ryan O'Neal O'Neal was estranged from his father Ryan O'Neal. They had a volatile relationship since his childhood. O'Neal's struggle with addiction began when he was 9 years old.

In 1983, O'Neal reported to authorities that his father punched out two of his front teeth, but he decided not to press charges.

In 2007, Ryan O'Neal was arrested for assault after shooting at Griffin during a dispute. Prosecutors decided not to file charges. "The last time I saw my dad, he shot at me because I was trying to help his son [Redmond] get sober, so I haven't talked to him in nine years," he told People in 2015.

O'Neal was banned by his father from attending the funeral services for Farrah Fawcett, the mother of his half-brother Redmond O'Neal, in 2009. O'Neal, who was piloting the boat, tried to pass between two other boats, unaware that they were connected by a towline. O'Neal barely had time to duck, but Coppola was struck by the towline and killed. O'Neal was convicted of negligently operating a boat, and later received an 18-day jail sentence for not completing community service. He was released after 15 days. In 1987, Francis Ford Coppola sued O'Neal and seven others for negligence.

O'Neal was arrested multiple times for driving under the influence.

In January 2012, O'Neal was arrested for domestic battery after he pushed his wife out of the way in an attempt to drink and drive.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes 1976 Nickelodeon Bicycle Boy 1982 The Escape Artist Danny Masters 1983 Hadley's Rebellion Hadley Hickman 1986 The Children of Times Square Rick TV movie 1986 April Fool's Day Skip 1986 The Wraith Oggie Fisher 1988 Assault of the Killer Bimbos Troy 1989 Night Children Blade 1989 Jesse Hawkes Cpl. Stevens Episode: "The Centurians" 1990 Return to Justice Bo Johnson 1991 Ghoulies Go to College Blane Alternate title: Ghoulies III 1992 Soulmates Brian