Fame and fortune do not ensure happiness nor a peaceful old age, as is the case with “Love Story” star Ryan O’Neal, who was arrested Wednesday at his Malibu pad on suspicion of possession of drugs.

Stranger still, but in accordance with the stereotyped lifestyle of the rich and famous, the 67-year-old Ryan O’Neal was taken from his home along with son Redmond, 23.

According to sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore, the two men were aware of the risk they were exposing themselves to, as Redmond O’Neal was sentenced to three years’ probation earlier this summer.

The younger O’Neal pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and possession of heroin and methamphetamine in June and circumvented a prison sentence by acquiescing to a court-ordered drug treatment program and probation.

Deputies were performing a routine sweep Wednesday morning, checking whether Redmond was respecting his probation.

“Authorities found Redmond in possession of narcotics and later discovered the father, Ryan O’Neal, was also in possession of narcotics,” spokesman Steve Whitmore told the New York Daily News.

Police found a vial in Ryan O’Neal’s bedroom. They believe it to contain methamphetamine. Both men were taken to a local sheriff’s station. They were released a few hours later after posting $10,000 bail each.
Redmond is Ryan O’Neal’s child with actress Farrah Fawcett, 61. His half-sister is Tatum O’Neal, whose story is no happier: the forty-something former child star was arrested in July in New York City after she tried to buy drugs from a dealer.

At the time, she pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and agreed to undergo drug counseling. She confessed that the arrest had actually saved her life, preventing her from taking the drug and relapsing.

Both Tatum O’Neal and Redmond O’Neal have a long and painful history of drug abuse. The young man entered a rehabilitation facility in 2004 for heroin use.

Last year, Ryan O’Neal made headlines with yet another tragic incident, as the “Love Story” actor and his son Griffin O’Neal got into a fight at the family’s Malibu home. The father was arrested for allegedly assaulting Griffin; he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm and released on $50,000 bond.

The Daily News adds that Tatum O’Neal is aware of the recent arrest of her father and brother. She issued a statement saying, “Addiction, if untreated, can lead to jail, institutions and death. I love them both and I am sorry to hear about this.”

Ryan O’Neal is particularly known for his career-defining role in 1970’s “Love Story,” based on the novel by Erich Segal. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

O’Neal had gained attention prior to this due to his role in soap opera “Peyton Place.” He has also starred in “What’s Up, Doc?,” “Paper Moon” (co-starring Tatum O’Neal, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress) and “Barry Lyndon,” among others.