Ryan ONeal to be investigated over missing Farrah Fawcett portrait

The artwork depicting the iconic Charlie’s Angels star was shown hanging in O’Neal’s bedroom in the premiere of the actor’s new reality series Ryan & Tatum: The O’Neals – and looks identical to one of two Warhol pieces that Fawcett reportedly bequeathed to the University of Texas.

While one portrait was given to the US university, the other remained unaccounted for – sparking an investigation into the whereabouts of the pop-art piece.

The first hint that O’Neal – who was omitted from Fawcett’s will – might have it in his possession came in his daughter Tatum O’Neal’s new autobiography, Found: A Daughter’s Journey Home.

The 47-year-old former child star, who won an Oscar at the age of 10 for her performance alongside her father in the 1973 film Paper Moon, mentioned that it was hanging in his home.

“On every wall, there are pictures of us and the rest of the family in our golden days,” she wrote. “The original poster from Paper Moon, Andy Warhol’s portrait of Farrah.”

According to US reports, officials at the University of Texas have hired a Hollywood private investigator to determine the whereabouts of the artwork.

The university has also spoken to Fawcett’s friend, Craig Nevius, a documentary film-maker and producer of Farrah’s Story – a video diary of her cancer battle and final days – who said he believes the picture is the original artwork.

“Ryan couldn't control Farrah in life, so he’s attempting to control her in death,” Nevius said. “Now Ryan’s got Farrah exactly where he wants her – hanging in his bedroom.”