Ryan O’Neal and his Loyal son Patrick O'Neal

The neighborhood gym is a metaphor — aren’t all gyms? — for perseverance and rebirth. In this case, old man O’Neal opened it with a partner in 1988, with Farrah Fawcett helping design it, a place where she would work out ferociously: crunches, crunches, more crunches.

O’Neal eventually gave up his stake. But when the gym closed suddenly early last year, the actor felt like it was still his to save. Patrick stepped in to help him buy the place, to get it up off the mat.

They are celebrating more than the comeback story of a friendly neighborhood hangout, of course. They are celebrating what it did for them as a father and son, for the actor’s spirits, for their relationship.

PRO Gym was named for Ryan O’Neal, using the initials for his given name, Patrick Ryan O’Neal, which he had to change when he registered with the Screen Actors Guild because it was taken.

For 30 years, the gym drew from the neighborhood: actors, doctors, industry types — even Bruce Springsteen showed up once. It was known for its sense of camaraderie and a pleasant vibe. Nothing fancy. Lots of mirrors. Cardio and free weights. The boxing ring outdoors on the deck.

It has become more than merely a comfort zone to O’Neal. The partnership with his son is, to him, evidence that he is a caring and functional father, after epic struggles in the tricky territory of celebrity parenting, where in one world, you’re worshiped and another, you’re just a dad trying to figure life out.

The flashpoints are still raw. Four children with three women. Estrangement from Tatum and Griffin. Addiction and then jail for Redmond, who remains there.

Then there was the agony of Fawcett’s cancer fight, which she lost 10 years ago this month.

“I haven’t been able to watch her documentary,” he says of the 2009 TV movie about her cancer battle. “I’m still fragile. I was there. I lived it.

“Dear Farrah...” he says wistfully. “She is so missed,” though he doesn’t shy from discussing the challenges they faced.

“[It’s] very uncomfortable to live with that, to have a girlfriend that the whole world is interested in, fascinated by, [that] was a little uncomfortable….I shared her.”

With Father’s Day nearly here, the O’Neals have this gleaming rainbow where thanks to Patrick’s business savvy and Ryan’s money, membership in the gym has bounced from 40 members to nearly 200 in a year’s time.

The adjacent boxing ring, mostly used for conditioning, sits like a keepsake from O’Neal’s career, which included the screwball boxing comedy “The Main Event” with Barbra Streisand.

A lover of sports, of women, of movies and L.A., O’Neal grew up in the Palisades, the son of an actress mom and a writer dad. He started in TV with “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” then found heartthrob status on “Peyton Place” and a major career with “Love Story,” the highest-grossing movie of 1970.

Next year will mark 50 years since “Love Story” swept the nation, drawing sobs from sold-out theaters and Oscar nominations for the lead actor and his costar MacGraw.

For O’Neal, the film’s thematic overlaps now seem prophetic: daddy issues and tragic illness.

“I don’t know what makes good movies, I don’t know,” O’Neal says now. “I did have a big crush on her so maybe there was some chemistry.”

At the time, MacGraw was married to Robert Evans, then-head of Paramount, the studio that made “Love Story.” O’Neal pretends to spit over his shoulder in disgust at the mention of Evans’ name.

“It saved me that she was married,” he says. “I would’ve fallen deeper in love with her except for her taste in men.”

The old boxer’s body may be disappointing him now, but the mind is sharp…he remembers the details. When he launches into memories of movie sets and costars, he almost sounds 21 again, like a youthful Oliver Barrett IV.

And what stories. He tells of strolling the Fox lot with Mia Farrow when she spotted future husband Frank Sinatra for the very first time.

“I had a crush on Mia too…she was so smart,” O’Neal says.

Working with Streisand on two movies, he says, helped teach him timing, which he considers an actor’s best tool.

There were long days on set with director Stanley Kubrick on “Barry Lyndon,” a film that was derided at the time but has gained respect over the years.

“We shot so many takes. …I don’t know what [Kubrick] was aiming at, maybe just to tire us, to see what comes out of fatigue.”

On the set of “A Bridge Too Far,” he remembers tossing a baseball with Robert Redford between takes, just two sun-lacquered California boys having a catch.

“He could really throw. He’s a stud.”

Were there roles he didn’t take?

“Rambo,” O’Neal says, and smiles at the thought. “Hard to imagine me, in the long hair, with all the guns. Sly did a terrific job, of course.”

Today, he spends days in Malibu, his home for 50 years, walking the dogs on the beach, then watching Patrick host Angels telecasts. When he leaves town, it’s often to perform in “Love Letters,” the two-person play, with MacGraw.

And he sits with pride, when he can, in this cozy Brentwood gym that he and his son saved, a rescue pet, a salvation, a bond.

“He’s always given me such wonderful advice, he’s always been my biggest fan,” says Patrick, a three-time sports Emmy winner who is married to Disney exec Summer Imai.

“He just means the world to me. I want everyone to know I love my dad.

“For us to have this partnership in this gym…I was so set on making that happen so that we had something to share,” he says.

I'm Glad Ryan has a loyal son like Patrick to take care of him instead of his sadistic attention whore daughter, Tatum.

You can see he's very proud of his son by the look on his face in OP's photo.

May 11, 2012

The Today Show ran a segment featuring “the Professionals” panel, with the question: Is Ryan O’Neal a bad father?

Patrick O’Neal came to his father’s defense:

I’m real proud to say that Ryan O’Neal is my father. The thing that really upset me a little bit was … [the Today Show] did an episode [with] a panel of four people and there was a host. And the subject was, big screen: Ryan O’Neal is a bad parent. Go.

And then there was Kelly Osbourne saying “Oh, well, I can’t believe that he forgot his son [Redmond’s] name. That’s terrible. I went to school with Redmond.” I will argue that Ryan knows his son’s name. If you look back at the Matt Lauer interview, he said Redmond immediately after. My dad makes a joke about everything. When he was told he had stage-two cancer, he’s like “I live for the stage. Stage two, where are my lines? I’m ready to perform.”

The next person spoke, Dr. Nancy. She says “Why does he have a band-aid on his nose first of all? And all of his children had tragic childhoods and all of his kids clearly have some sort of genetic disposition towards drug abuse.” Now I’m sitting going wait, just a second, I’ve had to deal with this my whole life.

O’Neal became emotional as he took issue with panelist Donny Deutsch‘s thoughts on the elder O’Neal:

I like Donny. I’ve watched the show and I know he’s worth, like, millions of dollars. And he’s sitting there and he’s like “Ryan O’Neal makes me want to puke. He should have his license taken away to be a parent. And i have no respect for the man.”

Now, I sat there and I said you know what? You take my father’s license away for being a parent, I’m not here. [You take away] my kids, his grandchildren, my two beautiful daughters, my memories of my father who was my hero.

Patrick O’Neal Defends Ryan O’Neal: ‘I Love My Dad’

“I love my dad. I’m proud of my dad. He was awesome,” Patrick told Billy Bush in a new interview for Access Hollywood. “Ryan O’Neal — he was my hero.”

During that “Today” panel, Dr. Nancy Snyderman said, “This was a window into dysfunctionality and sad parenting,” while Donnie Deutch said, “These kids are so messed up and that is clearly a guy that should not have had the license to have kids.”

But Patrick couldn’t disagree more.

“I thought, you know what? You take my dad’s license away, I’m not here, my two beautiful daughters — Sophia and Veronica are not here,” Patrick said. “They love their granddad. It was just disrespectful.”

“His legacy is not going to be that he was a bad parent, OK? Because I’m here to say that in my case that is not true,” Patrick said.

And Patrick said his experience was different than Tatum’s.

“Tatum wrote a book about how bad everything was,” he said. “I could write a book — it might be pretty boring — about how awesome my childhood was.”

“Give me examples of how dad loved you and was a good father,” Billy asked.

“I have a couple of letters here that I kept over the years,” Patrick said.

The letters, between father and son, are touching and heartfelt, and Patrick read excerpts out loud.

“’Dear Patrick, you’ve only been gone two days and you are missed. Redmond wanders around aimlessly calling, ‘Pat, Pat.’ I told him, ‘Pat work,’ but he still looks for you. I guess I’ll have to do until we get home,’” Patrick read.

“I have kept all of his letters to prove how much love there was between us,” the proud son added.

Patrick said that although Ryan and his mother couldn’t make it work, his father was always present in his life.

“Him and my mother, Leigh Taylor Young — she’s wonderful – he would pick me up every single weekend. They split up when I was about 4. But then it was, ‘Beep! Beep!’ and there’s the Rolls, jumping in, going to the beach or going to his other house up in Beverly Hills,” Patrick recounted.

Patrick also brought along birthday cards Farrah had written, complete with lipstick kisses.

There was also a long letter he sent his dad after Farrah had passed away.

“I said, ‘Dear Dad, Farrah was such a special person. Things I remember — boy, she loved to cook. She was always in that kitchen whipping up something good to eat,’” he read. “’I remember that crazy bathroom she had and that big closet with all those clothes. You had the little closet but you didn’t care. Farrah, of course deserved the big closet… I remember hiding in the sauna with Griffin when I was around 10, nearly passing out, and not being able to control my laughing when she walked in naked. Griffin was mad at me, but you weren’t, you both thought it was pretty funny.’… [She was the] coolest woman in the world.”

patrick_oneal Back from the road and a walk with my dad was all I needed to recharge. Sweet photobomb Mozart! @ryan_o_neal

patrick_oneal

Wishing a happy 18th birthday to my daughter Veronica. 3/31! A lovely young woman who cares about people and works hard in school (when she isn’t watching Netflix 😉). Next up High School Graduation from Middlesex and GW in the fall! Hanging out with Granddad in the Bu over Spring break. Proud of you V! Always. @veronicademornay @ryan_o_neal

patrick_oneal

Happy Father’s Day champ! @ryan_o_neal @progymla

patrick_oneal

Sure I’m embarrassed by my choice of jacket but not enough to prevent me from sharing my love for my dad. He gave me this photo of us for Christmas in a nice frame. Circa 1986, Provincetown, MA. Feel better @ryan_o_neal

He got the good side of him.

patrick_oneal

A nice connection made btw granddad and granddaughter over Christmas cake. Sweet photo bomb @packymeow

patrick_oneal

We battle.

patrick_oneal

Well my dad looks good (he is feeling much better) but my face looks like a 🎃 on Halloween.

patrick_oneal

Love means being there when someone needs you most. Ali MacGraw is a gem.

patrick_oneal

It was nice to spend Father’s Day with my dad and my daughter Veronica 😊 in Malibu 🏖

patrick_oneal

A tremendous birthday celebration! Oh such great stories. 77 bells for @ryan_o_neal

It seems that Ryan's health went down hill after Redmond arrest last year.

patrick_oneal

On location back when you were my stand-in...check that...when i was YOUR stand-in. Happy 77th Dad! I loves ya! (Sweet jacket)

patrick_oneal

Happy Birthday Dad!Judging from how content you look and my fake smile, I think you won 2 out of 3 that day. @ryan_o_neal

I had no idea they were related. I have seen some college volleyball matches he has called and thought he was really hot...and a little strange lol but now it makes sense.

PATRICK - ENOUGH

R25 why Not have a good thread about Ryan and his son Patrick, Tatum?!

patrick_oneal

Which one of the four is seeing the doctor for dizziness? @gregwavintage @ryan_o_neal

patrick_oneal #fakeconversation

patrick_oneal Dad can't get his PT w/out Raven the cutie.

patrick_oneal

First solid walk since dad's L shoulder replacement and feeling good. A day examining damage done by storm. 6 feet of sand gone but Mother Nature will be bringing it back by summer. Next year

patrick_oneal

Happy Father's Day to all! Thanks Dad for all the laughter.

patrick_oneal

Mi papa con Manos de Piedras! Roberto Duran! Papa dice "No Mas No Mas".

patrick_oneal

Happy 75th to a generous man who loves his dogs- my Dad, my hero. @ryan_o_neal 4/20

patrick_oneal

#tbt of 4 Irish O'Neal boys for this St. Patrick's Day. Last and perhaps only photo of all of us together. 10 years ago.

patrick_oneal

Great night seeing my dad star on the stage for the first time. If you haven't seen Love Letters, check it out this week at the Wallis. My wife and I had a blast. Ali and Ryan together again and the chemistry is there BIG time.

Patrick was not raised by Ryan. For several years, Patrick was estranged from his divorced father. Patrick was raised by his mother who was Ryan's second wife.

Ryan had sole custody of Tatum and Griffin as a result of his first wife's alcoholism and drug abuse.

If Ryan had raised Patrick, Patrick would probably end up as screwed up as Tatum and Griffin or be in jail like Redmond.

patrick_oneal

My first time meeting Ali MacGraw, unless I did when I was 2, but I would've remembered because she is unforgettable.

patrick_oneal

Went to the Birmingham MI library and found my moms high school yearbook. She never told me she was home coming Queen.

patrick_oneal

Memo to U of Texas and your big time lawyers, there is a reason you lost the case. They kind of go back a ways. Ha ha.

patrick_oneal

Finding family treasure, and my parents went to a cool party Mama Cass threw Dec 23rd, 1970.

Ughhhhh please stop Ryan, no one gives a shit about you.

R41 Put me on ignore, my dear.

Also, Ryan O'Neal doesn't care about what the world think of him, let alone DL.

patrick_oneal

DaddyO was reeling it in back in the day, damn. Oh snap, that's mom😳 @ryan_o_neal

patrick_oneal

Happy 70th to my Mom who remains as gorgeous as when she was 16, and WOW. @LightLTY

patrick_oneal

Happy 70th to the coolest Mom who may have let me drink Bloodies on XMas at 17. @LightLty

patrick_oneal

W/ the cool cop @Ryan_O_Neal. And yes, world class photo bomb @David_Boreanaz #Bones

patrick_oneal

Love my Dad doing crunches as girls in bikinis stroll past the house. @ryan_o_neal you still got it!

patrick_oneal

Daddy O' showing his True Colors with Cyndi Lauper. See if you can find me.

Patrick is smart. He wants to make amends with his sickly, estranged father so that he would leave him in his Will.

patrick_oneal

Visited my Dad/Max on the set of Bones. David Boreanaz super cool and huge sports fan. Lives for the Flyers.

R34, was that picture taken before or after Ryan knocked Griffin's teeth out?

R36 These 3 fucked up "kids" had bad mothers too, Joanna Moore was a crazy addict/neglectful mother (by all account Far WORSE than Ryan), Farrah was a self absorbed mother/actress. The point is you can't put all the blame on Ryan for his kids failure. They had their unstable/neglectful mothers too.

patrick_oneal

Love my Dad!

patrick_oneal

Happy Father's Day to my forever young Dad who I love very much! The ultimate sports fan!

"Finding family treasure, and my parents went to a cool party Mama Cass threw Dec 23rd, 1970."

Patrick, darling, you made a BIG mistake. Daddy O Ryan took Streisand to that concert/party in 1970, and told Mommy he was going out for a six pack and some refer!

Are we sure that Jeff Bridges ain't his real Daddy?

patrick_oneal

How bout it!! #GoKings

patrick_oneal

Even the O'Neal boys couldn't bring the Lakers a win. The direction for the picture was to show a sad face.

patrick_oneal

Congrats to my Mom on her wedding day! Yes, 9:30am on New Years Day unusual wedding time, but I'm happy she's happy!

patrick_oneal

With my Mom and Dad on her wedding day. Pops was sad she got locked up, knowing she won't be come back. Divorced since 1973:)

patrick_oneal

What a game to see with my dad! Kick ass seats front row!

patrick_oneal

The first O'Neal XMAS card is gonna kick serious tail! @ryan_o_neal smooth as always.