Tatum O'Neal Seen Using Cane Following Near-Fatal Stroke
The Oscar-winning actress, who suffered a stroke in 2020, was photographed with her family at a fan convention.
Tatum O'Neal, 62, was recently seen using a cane while out with her family in Los Angeles. The Oscar-winning actress, who experienced a near-fatal stroke in 2020 following a drug overdose, was accompanied by her daughter Emily McEnroe and son-in-law Tim Massarelli during a recent outing. O'Neal was observed needing assistance with her balance and held her son-in-law's hand as they exited a hotel.
She was dressed casually for the occasion, opting for a simple black dress, a dark navy blue coat, and black flats.
O'Neal was among several celebrities who attended The Hollywood Show fan convention in Burbank over the weekend. Other notable attendees included Tara Reid, Linda Blair, Barbara Eden, and Ann-Margret.
O'Neal achieved fame at a young age, starring alongside her father Ryan O'Neal in the 1973 drama Paper Moon. Her performance in the film earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the Academy Awards when she was just 10 years old, making her the youngest recipient in Oscars history. Her other acting credits include The Bad News Bears (1976), Nickelodeon (1976), and Little Darlings (1980).
Her struggles with substance abuse began in her teenage years, a period marked by a difficult childhood influenced by her mother, actress Joanna Moore, and father Ryan O'Neal. Her father passed away in 2023 at the age of 82 after battling leukemia and prostate cancer. O'Neal detailed her experiences with neglect and abuse in her memoir, A Paper Life.
O'Neal was previously married to tennis player John McEnroe. They wed in 1986, separated in 1992, and finalized their divorce two years later. The couple share three children: Kevin, Emily, and Sean. In 1998, O'Neal lost custody of their children to McEnroe due to her heroin addiction.
In 2020, O'Neal's health took a critical turn when she suffered a severe stroke and fell into a coma for six weeks after an overdose on pain medication, opiates, and morphine. Her son Kevin McEnroe shared at the time that she had also experienced cardiac arrest and seizures, and that her survival was uncertain.
Following the 2020 incident, O'Neal has been engaged in rehabilitation programs to improve her strength, memory, and cognitive abilities. She has also been attending 12-step meetings and focusing on her recovery with medical guidance. In October 2026, O'Neal shared a positive update on social media, posting a selfie with the caption "Hope."
Her most recent acting role was in the 2021 film Not to Forget.