Tatum O’Neal Says Dad Ryan ‘Meant the World’ to Her as She Pays Loving Tribute to the ‘Paper Moon’ Star (Exclusive)

"I feel great sorrow with my father's passing," the Oscar winner said Friday

Tatum O’Neal is remembering her late father Ryan O’Neal.

"I feel great sorrow with my father's passing," Tatum tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement. "He meant the world to me. I loved him very much and know he loved me too. I'll miss him forever and I feel very lucky that we ended on such good terms."

The Little Darlings actress’ statement came after her brother, Patrick O’Neal, shared news of their father’s death on Instagram Friday.

In his tribute, the 56-year-old sports broadcaster said the Oscar-nominated actor "passed away peacefully,” calling him "a Hollywood legend."

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Patrick added that although it was “the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say,” the Love Story talent had his “loving team by his side supporting him” at the time of his death.

He continued grieving the loss, referring to his father as his “hero,” adding, “I looked up to him and he was always bigger than life.”

Earlier this year, Tatum celebrated her father’s 82nd birthday with a heartwarming Instagram picture sitting beside her dad.

In the upload, the two were propped on a bed, smiling together as The Bad News Bears actress also held onto a small dog. "Happy birthday dad I love you," she wrote in a simple, but sweet caption.

The famous father-daughter duo starred in 1973's Paper Moon. The film earned Tatum the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, making her the youngest person to win an Oscar at just 10 years old.

The late star is survived by four children: Tatum and Griffin O'Neal, whom he shared with Joanna Moore; Patrick, whom he shared with Leigh Taylor-Young; and Redmond James Fawcett O'Neal, whom he shared with Farrah Fawcett.

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In September 2020, Tatum’s son Sean McEnroe, 36, posted a family photo of him with grandfather Ryan, and his mom, alongside his siblings, Kevin, 37, and Emily, 32. In his caption, the middle child of Tatum and her ex-husband, tennis icon John McEnroe, revealed it was the first time the family had gathered together in 17 years.

"This is one of the most memorable photos of my life. The last time we were all together was at the 30-year Paper Moon Anniversary in 2003. I could cry tears of gratitude that everyone in this photo is still alive and that we were all able to come together again after so many years of hardship. The entire West Coast is burning, but if the O’Neals can reconcile, truly anything is possible," Sean wrote.

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