Dark, dashing and coldly handsome with intense, penetrating eyes, Patrick O'Neal was known for walking that fine line between elegant heroics and elegant villainy during his five-decade career. Born in 1927 in Ocala, Florida, and of Irish descent, he served toward the end of WWII with the United States Army Air Corp and, in his late teens, was assigned to direct training shorts for the Signal Corps. A graduate of the University of Florida at Gainesville, he subsequently moved to New York City and continued his dramatic studies at the Actor's Studio and Neighborhood Playhouse. O'Neal made an initial impact in the early 1950s when he replaced 'Tony Randall , probably his best known film. In later years, it was almost strictly television movies and guest spots. His wife and brother owned several restaurants with him. He died in 1994 from respiratory failure while battling tuberculosis.
Owned a restaurant called "The Ginger Man," named after the play in which he was appearing at the time. (The play opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theater on Thursday, November 21, 1963, the eve of President Kennedys assassination.) Carroll OConnor later co-owned the restaurant.
Owned the restaurant "ONeals Balloon," located across Columbus Avenue from Lincoln Center on the site now occupied by Merlot/Iridium. The restaurant, which he co-owned with his brother, was a favorite of the dancers from George Balanchine s company. It featured a Robert Crowl mural of dancers painted circa 1970 which now hangs at "ONeals"/"The Ginger Man", on 64th Street east of Broadway, which also was owned by Patrick ONeal and his brother. "The Ginger Man" is still frequented by performers at Lincoln Center.
Credited Gregory Peck with steering him in the right direction to effectively realize his ambition to be a successful paid actor; ONeal asked Peck for career advice while working as a grip on one of Pecks movies.
Son of actors Ryan ONeal and Leigh Taylor-Young , who later divorced.
Two daughters, Sophia De Mornay-ONeal (b. 16 November 1997) and Veronica De Mornay-ONeal (b. 31 March 2001) from a relationship with Rebecca De Mornay.
Younger half-brother of Tatum ONeal and Griffin ONeal.
Currently a sportscaster with Fox Sports in Los Angeles.
Older half-brother of Redmond ONeal.
