Tatum O'Neal Spotted Using Cane Amid Health Concerns
The Oscar-winning actress, who previously suffered a near-fatal stroke, was seen with mobility assistance during a family outing.
Actress Tatum O'Neal, 62, was recently photographed using a cane during a family outing in Los Angeles, sparking renewed attention to her health following a near-fatal stroke in 2020. The Oscar winner was seen with her daughter Emily McEnroe and son-in-law Tim Massarelli.
O'Neal required assistance while walking and was observed holding Massarelli's hand as they left a Marriott Hotel. She was dressed casually in a dark coat, black dress, and black flats.
The outing coincided with O'Neal's appearance at The Hollywood Show fan convention in Burbank, where other celebrities such as Tara Reid, Linda Blair, Barbara Eden, and Ann-Margret were also present.
O'Neal gained widespread recognition for her role in the 1973 film Paper Moon, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at just 10 years old, making her the youngest recipient in Oscar history. Her subsequent roles included appearances in The Bad News Bears (1976), Nickelodeon (1976), and Little Darlings (1980).
The actress has publicly chronicled her struggles with substance abuse, which began during her teenage years amidst a challenging upbringing. Her memoir, A Paper Life, details experiences of neglect and abuse. O'Neal was previously married to tennis player John McEnroe, with whom she has three children: Kevin, Emily, and Sean. The couple divorced in 1994.
In 1998, O'Neal lost custody of her children to McEnroe due to her heroin addiction. In 2020, she experienced a severe health crisis after an overdose on prescription painkillers, opiates, and morphine, which led to a stroke and a six-week coma. Her son Kevin McEnroe reported at the time that she had also suffered cardiac arrest and multiple seizures, and that her survival was uncertain.
Following the 2020 incident, O'Neal has been engaged in rehabilitation to improve her strength, memory, and cognitive abilities. She has also attended 12-step meetings as part of her recovery process. In October 2026, she shared an optimistic update on Instagram, captioning a selfie with the word "Hope."