Love Story Stars Ali MacGraw And Ryan O’Neal Reunite After 45 Years

It’s been an amazing 45 years since that flame of love burned between Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw in classic weepy ‘Love Story’.

This week the pair reunited in New York, now aged 73 and 76 respectively, for the first night of stage production ‘Love Letters’, the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama.

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The pair will then tour the US with the show, which saw the likes of Angelica Houston, Diana Rigg, Martin Sheen, Alan Alda and Mia Farrow taking up roles in a rotating cast on Broadway last year.

O’Neal and MacGraw were 28 and 31 when they were thrown together for director Arthur Hiller’s ‘Love Story’, playing tragic lovers Oliver and Jenny.

The pair earned Oscar nominations for their performances, but the film – despite being up for seven gongs – won just Best Score for Francis Lai.

It was viscerally panned by many critics at the time, though some – including the eminent Roger Ebert – praised it.

Nevertheless, it was the highest-grossing movie of 1970, and a box office smash making £88 million worldwide – over £500 million today.

There was a sequel too, ‘Oliver’s Story’ with O’Neal reprising his role opposite Candice Bergen.

It was less well received by audiences, and mauled by critics.

Though lovers on-screen, the chemistry between O’Neal and MacGraw did not extend off screen, with MacGraw marrying movie producer Robert Evans.

After they divorced in 1972, she became involved with actor Steve McQueen, and revealed last year allegations that she was terrorised and abused by him.

“He was tremendously insecure and dangerous,” said MacGraw. “When it was good it was very, very good, but when it was bad it was horrendous.”

MacGraw herself also suffered with alcohol and sex addiction.

O’Neal, meanwhile, has also been accused of abuse, with Anjelica Huston alleging in a memoir last year that he violently assaulted her while they were in a relationship.

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Image credits: WENN/Rex Features