Farrah Fawcett's Son Redmond O'Neal Faces New Charges After Troubled Past

The 40-year-old has a long history of run-ins with the law, including drug possession and alleged armed robbery.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:54pm

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Redmond O'Neal, the son of late actress Farrah Fawcett and actor Ryan O'Neal, has faced multiple legal issues over the years, including arrests for drug possession, DUI, and most recently, charges of attempted murder, battery, and assault with a deadly weapon. O'Neal, now 40 years old, has spent time in rehab and psychiatric facilities, but continues to struggle with his legal troubles.

Why it matters

Redmond O'Neal's ongoing legal issues highlight the challenges that children of celebrities can face, particularly when dealing with addiction and mental health problems. His case also raises questions about the criminal justice system's ability to effectively rehabilitate and support individuals struggling with these issues.

The details

Redmond O'Neal, who had a brief acting career as a child, has been arrested numerous times since the mid-2000s for drug possession, DUI, and other charges. In 2008, he and his father Ryan were arrested at their Malibu home, with Redmond charged with possession of methamphetamine, illegal possession of pepper spray, and drug paraphernalia. In 2011, he was charged with heroin possession and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Most recently, in 2019, he was charged with attempted murder, battery, criminal threats, brandishing a knife, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon following an alleged armed robbery at a convenience store.

  • In 2005, Redmond was arrested on suspicion of methamphetamine and cocaine possession.
  • In 2007, he was arrested for drug possession and a misdemeanor DUI charge.
  • In 2008, Redmond and his father Ryan were arrested at their Malibu home, with Redmond charged with drug-related offenses.
  • In 2011, Redmond was charged with heroin possession and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
  • In 2019, Redmond was charged with attempted murder and other serious offenses following an alleged armed robbery.

The players

Redmond O'Neal

The 40-year-old son of late actress Farrah Fawcett and actor Ryan O'Neal, who has faced numerous legal issues over the years, including drug possession, DUI, and most recently, charges of attempted murder, battery, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Farrah Fawcett

The late actress and mother of Redmond O'Neal.

Ryan O'Neal

The actor and father of Redmond O'Neal, who was arrested alongside his son in 2008 at their Malibu home.

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What they’re saying

“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!'”

— Ryan O'Neal

What’s next

Redmond O'Neal is currently awaiting trial on the most recent charges of attempted murder and other offenses. The court will determine if he is competent to stand trial, a decision that could have significant implications for his future.

The takeaway

Redmond O'Neal's ongoing legal troubles highlight the challenges that children of celebrities can face, particularly when dealing with addiction and mental health issues. His case underscores the need for more comprehensive support and rehabilitation programs within the criminal justice system to address the root causes of such behavior and help individuals like Redmond get the help they need.