(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Ryan O'Neal has defended his new reality show by explaining he doesn't need to "jumpstart a new career".
The 70-year-old US actor is famed for starring in shows such as soap opera Peyton Place and 1970 movie Love Story, which saw him receive a best actor Academy Award nomination.
Ryan has joined forces with daughter Tatum O'Neal, 47, for new reality programme Ryan & Tatum: The O'Neals on Oprah Winfrey's OWN television network, and has discussed his decision for starring in the show.
"I'm 70. I'm not looking to jumpstart a new career. I'm on TV's series Bones. I don't need money. Tatum's a businesswoman. She's the executive producer. This was her idea," he told New York Post.
"I didn't say that," he added, when it was suggested Tatum needed the money. "I only say I didn't spend all my money. I also say she likes to shop."
Ryan and Tatum his daughter with late actress Joanna Moore - became involved in a family feud over 20 years ago. Ryan has expressed his sorrow over the dispute, and tried to make sense of it. He spoke of the influence actress Farrah Fawcett who died in 2009 and was Ryan's long-term on/off partner played in the disagreement.
"When we made Paper Moon and Tatum won an Oscar at age ten, she was beguiling. We bonded. I wanted less time with her mother and more with her. But came Farrah and the love of that wonderful woman. Our love affair occasionally wobbled but it held. That's when Tantrum, as I call her, disappeared. I never saw her or my grandchildren. Never even saw pictures of them. She'd change her phone number. She'd p**s me off. Farrah Fawcett was the whole thing," he revealed.
"I was the big problem. The complete failure. I wanted my little girl back, but I blew it. My own fault. Most times I don't like myself, but I'm not a bad guy. If things were to do over, I'd do it differently - but Tatum's very complicated. Triggers still go off in her mind. She wanted a piece of me, but she still can't figure was it Farrah or me that made her split."
Ryan spoke highly of Farrah, revealing she had been scared of Tatum. It was the two year anniversary of Farrah's death on Saturday, and the actor still feels her presence.
"Farrah was frightened of Tatum, who held nothing back. At 16, Tatum was very experienced and already dressing like Anouk Aime. Problem was, where did she fit in with Farrah?" he mused.
"Y'know, I still feel Farrah's essence. I remember her as a goddess. I recently dreamt I was talking to her. We were together 17 years, even though for a while she was sick of me. At the end she asked, 'Am I going to make it?' I said, 'Of course.' And I loved her then more than ever." (C) Cover Media