A biography for Tatum O'Nealhasn’t been written yet.
“Ryan is my bridge to the past, to memories that lose some of their sting when he recounts them.”
“The more love I craved, the more distant and abusive he grew. The role I longed to play was never written into Ryan's script: daughter.”
“I remained Ryan's companion on the Hollywood party circuit, growing inured to sex and drugs before I was in my teens.”
“I was punished for blowing the whistle on my father's lifestyle.”
“I think all of us feel like we're a bit on show, all the time.”
“I've purged myself of bitterness and anger and remained open to love.”
“Griffin, my brother, 11 months younger, was sometimes the victim of my father's fury - once Ryan famously knocked out his teeth.”
“I've triumphed over addiction.”
“I do take responsibility for it. I admit to having a problem. I have been to numerous treatment centers.”
“Things get so sloppy when you're under the influence.”
“I've overcome physical and mental brutality - and fought back.”
“I never dreamed that shooting a film would be so hard. There was less regulation then of child actors' hours. Even the concept of acting confused me.”
“I've overcome neglect and deprivation, abandonment and abuse.”
“Certain struggles never end.”
“Paper Moon didn't bring me love.”
“Ryan finally came to my rescue. He'd thought working together in Paper Moon would help us bond.”
“As Peter Bogdanovich would say of Paper Moon: Ryan's wonderful in it, and he sat there and watched the kid steal the picture.”
“I have a temper, but I wouldn't call me abusive.”
“I felt privileged to be a facet of such a jewel in the crown of American cinema.”
“My children forgave me at a time when I could barely forgive myself.”