Hollywood romances usually burn out like a cheap sparkler, but some leave a mark that people still talk about decades later. You’ve probably seen the name Rebecca De Mornay pop up on your feed lately. Maybe you remember her as the terrifying nanny in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle or the sharp-edged Lana in Risky Business. But then there’s Patrick O’Neal. He isn't just "the guy she dated." He’s a fixture in the Los Angeles sports world, a legacy of Hollywood royalty, and the father of her two daughters.
People always ask: Did they marry? Why did they split? Honestly, the story is way more grounded than the tabloid headlines ever made it out to be.
The Timeline of Rebecca De Mornay and Patrick O’Neal
Their story didn't start on a movie set. Not exactly. By the time they met in the mid-1990s, Rebecca was already an established icon. She’d navigated the industry’s highs and its weirdness, including a high-profile stint living with Tom Cruise and an engagement to the legendary Leonard Cohen.
Patrick was different. He was the son of Ryan O’Neal and Leigh Taylor-Young, which meant he grew up in the shadow of Love Story and Peyton Place. But he wasn't trying to be the next big matinee idol. While he did some acting—you might spot him in Die Hard 2 or Beverly Hills, 90210—his heart was clearly elsewhere.
They got together around 1995. This wasn't a "flash in the pan" situation. It lasted about seven years. That’s a lifetime in Southern California.
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Some sources claim they were married. Others say they were just long-term partners. Wikipedia and several biography sites often list them as having married in 1995 and divorced in 2002. However, Rebecca has occasionally been vague about the "legal" status in older interviews, focusing instead on the family they built. Regardless of the paperwork, they were a "unit."
Raising Sophia and Veronica
Family was the core of their time together. They had two daughters:
- Sophia De Mornay-O’Neal, born in late 1997.
- Veronica De Mornay-O’Neal, born in early 2001.
Becoming a mother changed Rebecca’s career trajectory. You don't just disappear from the screen, but you start picking your battles. She shifted from being the "it girl" of the early 90s to taking roles that allowed her to be present for the girls. Patrick, meanwhile, was pivoting hard into what would become his real calling: sports broadcasting.
Why the Split Happened in 2002
They broke up in 2002. It wasn't some dramatic, plate-smashing scandal that ended up on TMZ (which was just starting back then anyway). Like many couples who hit the seven-year mark, they simply moved in different directions.
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Think about their careers at that moment. Patrick was starting to grind at Fox Sports Net. He was doing midnight-to-5:00 a.m. shifts on the radio just to prove he wasn't just a "nepo baby." Rebecca was navigating a changing Hollywood that was obsessed with younger and younger stars.
The pressure of two high-profile careers and two very young children is a lot. They went their separate ways, but they didn't go "warring." You still see them occasionally mentioned in the same breath because of their daughters, who are now grown women carving out their own paths.
Where Are They Now?
If you haven't checked in on them lately, both have been incredibly busy in their own lanes.
Rebecca De Mornay hasn't retired. Far from it. In the last year or so, she’s been involved in projects like Saint Clare and Gentleman Thief: Cash Out 3. She’s also done a lot of TV work, appearing in shows like Lucifer and Jessica Jones. She’s aged with a grace that most actors would kill for, still carrying that same intense, intelligent energy that made her a star in the 80s.
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Patrick O’Neal is a titan in LA sports. If you watch the Los Angeles Angels or the Kings, you know his face. He’s a multi-Emmy winner. He’s moved far beyond being "Ryan O’Neal’s son." He’s the guy who interviews the players in the locker room after a big win. He’s the steady hand on the pre-game show. Honestly, he found a longevity in broadcasting that many actors never find in front of a camera.
The Legacy of a Hollywood Connection
What most people get wrong about these two is the idea that the relationship was a failure. It wasn't. They raised two daughters who seem to have stayed out of the typical "Hollywood mess." Sophia and Veronica are the real legacy of that seven-year stretch.
- Fact Check: Despite the "divorce" labels often seen online, Rebecca’s only legally confirmed marriage in many industry records was to writer Bruce Wagner in the late 80s. Her relationship with Patrick is often characterized as a domestic partnership that was as "real" as any marriage.
- The Cohen Connection: It’s worth noting that Rebecca’s time with Patrick came right after her deep, spiritual connection with Leonard Cohen. This shift toward a more "grounded" life with a sportscaster felt like a deliberate move toward stability.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers
If you’re looking into the history of these two, don’t just rely on the first paragraph of a Wiki page. Here is how to actually track their current work and history:
- Watch the Credits: Check out Rebecca’s recent work in This Is Us or her upcoming thriller roles to see how her acting style has evolved into a more "matriarchal" but still dangerous vibe.
- Tune Into Bally Sports West: If you want to see Patrick in his element, watch an Angels post-game show. You’ll see a professional who has completely shed the "actor" skin for something he clearly loves more.
- Social Media: Follow their daughters, Sophia and Veronica, on Instagram if you want a glimpse of the modern De Mornay-O'Neal family dynamic. They often post throwbacks or photos with their parents that show the family remains close-knit despite the split years ago.
The reality of Hollywood is that people change. Rebecca and Patrick didn't become a tragedy; they just became two different people who happen to share a very important history.