This Andy Warhol painting of Farrah Fawcett seen hanging over Ryan O’Neal’s bed is at the centre of a tug-of-war between the actor and the University of Texas, which claims it is the rightful owner of the painting.
Fawcett, who died two years ago, willed her entire collection of paintings to the university, where she studied art. But the university only received one of two Warhols she owned.
The other, estimated to be worth $30 million, had not been seen since Farrah’s death two years ago until it appeared in the first episode of a new reality television show, Ryan & Tatum: The O’Neals, which documents the reconciliation between O’Neal and his daughter Tatum following an eight-year rift.
What appeared to be the portrait, which shows Fawcett with bright red lips and green eyes, was spotted hanging directly above O’Neal’s bed as cameras toured his house.
Craig Nevius, a close friend and business partner of Fawcett, told ABC News that Tatum O’Neal’s new autobiography had already given a clue to the painting’s fate. In the book, ironically titled Found, she mentions that the portrait was in her father’s home in Malibu, writing: “On every wall, there are pictures of us and the rest of the family in our golden days. The original poster from Paper Moon, Andy Warhol’s portrait of Farrah.”
Mr Nevius said: “That was a ‘Thank God, we’ve caught you’ moment. I told the university.”
O’Neal, 70, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Love Story, has said that “all of Farrah’s wishes expressed in her will have been fulfilled.”
Mr Nevius said: “That was a ‘Thank God, we’ve caught you’ moment. I told the university.”
O’Neal, 70, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Love Story, has said that “all of Farrah’s wishes expressed in her will have been fulfilled.”