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How did Kevin O’Neal die? Screen icon Ryan O'Neal's brother dies at 77

Kevin O’Neal who appeared alongside Elvis Presley in ‘The Trouble with Girls’ was uncle to Oscar-winning actress Tatum O’Neal

THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA: Kevin O'Neal who starred as Private Ben Whitledge on the 1960s ABC comedy 'No Time for Sergeants', died at age of 77 on Saturday, January 28. Kevin O'Neal was the younger brother of Oscar-nominated actor Ryan O’Neal. 

Kevin O'Neal also appeared as the character Yale in one of Elvis Presley’s final films, 'The Trouble with Girls' (1969). Born as Geoffrey Garrett O’Neal in Los Angeles, he was also the popular director of 'Dinocroc'.

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How did Kevin O'Neal die? 

The 77-year-old talented actor died in his sleep of natural causes in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, a family spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter. Kevin O'Neal was born four years after his Oscar-nominated brother Ryan O'Neal. Their parents were novelist-screenwriter Charles "Blackie" O’Neal ('The Three Wishes of Jamie McRuin') and actress Patricia Callaghan. 

Kevin O'Neal's Career

Kevin O'Neal made his first TV debut in 1961 on episodes of 'The Deputy', 'The Danny Thomas Show', and 'The Donna Reed Show'. Since then he also starred on multiple shows like 'The Twilight Zone', 'My Three Sons', 'Wagon Train', 'Gidget', 'Perry Mason', 'The Fugitive', 'Gunsmoke', 'Please Don’t Eat the Daises', 'Bonanza', 'Mod Squad', 'Daniel Boone', and 'Lancer'.

Kevin O'Neal also featured in his brother's films, 'The Big Bounce' (1969), 'Love Story' (1970), 'What’s Up Doc?' (1972), and 'The Thief Who Came to Dinner' (1973) before he quit acting in the mid-’70s. Kevin O'Neal's nephew penned an emotional tribute to his uncle on Twitter and wrote, "My dad’s brother, Kevin O’Neal, died Saturday morning (1/28/23). My uncle passed in his sleep and didn’t suffer for which we are thankful. Kevin had a wicked sense of humor, just like his older brother, and we have his stories to keep him in our hearts forever."

He later tweeted a second tribute to Kevin O'Neal's work. "Kevin was an actor, writer and producer. One of the great laughs from the classic film 'What’s Up, Doc?' came after Kevin told the judge this: ('I want my bike back')" 

In addition to his brother, he is survived by his son, Garrett, niece Tatum O’Neal, an Oscar-winning actress; nephew Griffin O’Neal, also an actor, and nephew Patrick O’Neal, a broadcaster for Bally Sports West. Emotional Patrick also tweeted a third tribute saying, "When Kevin walked into a room you heard him before you saw him. That energy and personality is an old O’Neal trademark. Heaven better be ready for him! We send our love and support to his son Garrett. RIP KO! Kevin O’Neal was 77."