The heartbreaking life of Farrah Fawcett's son who went from child star to jail


Redmond O'Neal, 40, has had numerous run-ins with the law over the years and he recently appeared in court on March 10 for his case from 2018


Farrah Fawcett smiling at her son Redmond
Nova M Bajamonti
Nova M BajamontiNews and Features Writer
March 13, 2026
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Farrah Fawcett has one son by the name of Redmond O'Neal, 40, whom she shares with ex-partner Ryan O' Neal.

Redmond initially took after his parents and had a budding acting career as a child voice actor who worked for the show Johnny Bravo and the 1998 film, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars.

During his teenage years he worked on the set of Love Don't Cost a Thing as a production intern in 2001.

Redmond is the son of Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett © WireImage
Redmond is the son of Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett

Redmond's law run-ins

As he stepped into his young adulthood, problems began to arise with his multiple run-ins with the law.

In 2005 he was arrested on suspicion of methamphetamine and cocaine possession, and soon after he was put on probation.

Two years later, he was arrested for drug possession and a misdemeanor DUI charge. Instead of going to jail, he was put on probation for three years and paid a $1,688 fine.

farrah fawcett redmond o'neal hugging© Getty Images
He was once a child voice actor

In 2008, both Redmond and Ryan were arrested in their Malibu home, due to a police search which discovered methamphetamines in their house.

Redmond was charged with illegal possession of pepper spray, and possession of drug paraphernalia as his misdemeanors, as well as a felony for the possession of methamphetamine.

Ryan revealed what really happened during that arrest with Vanity Fair. He shared: "It wasn't mine — I had taken it away from [Redmond] the night before. But when the cops came at 4:30 in the morning, with Farrah there, I wasn't going to say, 'It's his!'"

He had multiple law run-ins over the years© WireImage
He had multiple law run-ins over the years

Redmond admitted that the drugs found were indeed his, therefore, he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance.

Soon after, he underwent an 18-month drug diversion program. That same year, the judge also ruled in favor of Redmond attending a two-week detox program, but Redmond relapsed during his time there. He was once again put on probation because he brought drugs into LA. County Jail.

In 2011, Redmond was charged with heroin possession and being a felon in possession of a firearm, however, he pleaded no contest.

Instead of getting jail time, the judge ordered him to undergo a year-long live-in drug rehab center on top of five years of probation.

In 2015, Redmond committed a probation violation and received three years of jail time, however, he was released the following year due to 302 days of time served while being locked up.

His current court case

Three years later, he was arrested due to an alleged armed robbery that took place at a convenience store.

redmond o'neal suit© Getty Images
Redmond appeared in court on Tuesday

He was charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of battery, one count of criminal threats, one count of brandishing a knife, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. 

Firstly, the court ruled that he was incompetent to stand trial, however, the ruling was reversed last year. He has spent the last three years hospitalized at Patton State Hospital.

Redmond's recent appearance

Redmond went into his recent hearing on March 10 pleading not guilty. He was spotted with new tattoos including devil horns on his face, "[expletive] life" on his hand, and "5250" on his cheek.

The "5250" tattoo represents California's penal code for a two-week-long involuntary psychiatric hold.

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