Jury Sides with Ryan O’Neal in Warhol-Farrah Art Case
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Kuzma/Thinkstock(LOS ANGELES) — Jurors in a Los Angeles court on Thursday declared actor Ryan O’Neal is the rightful owner of an Andy Warhol portrait of the late Farrah Fawcett, O’Neal’s longtime partner.
O’Neal was sued in 2011 by the University of Texas at Austin, the former Charlie’s Angels star’s alma mater, which claimed the actress bequeathed the piece to the institution.
According to the Los Angeles Times, in a 9-3 decision, the jury backed O’Neal’s claim that Warhol had given one of two multi-million dollar paintings to him. While one was Fawcett’s to give to the university in a living trust, the other was not, the actor claimed.
The school displays its Fawcett portrait at the University of Texas Blanton Museum of Art; the second hangs in O’Neal’s California home. The school claimed O’Neal snatched the piece for himself shortly after the actress’ 2009 death from cancer.
O’Neal wasn’t present for the decision, but his sons Redmond and Patrick O’Neal were. After the verdict, Patrick said, “We’re just absolutely over the moon, we’re thrilled because the truth came out…it’s just an awesome, awesome feeling.”
Redmond, Ryan O’Neal’s only child with Fawcett, added, “It’s a great Christmas gift, you know.”
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