Skip navigation
advertisement

Tatum O'Neal released after NYC drug arrest

Oscar-winning 44-year-old actress allegedly tried to buy crack cocaine

Video
  Tatum O’Neal arrested for drugs
June 2: Oscar-winning actress Tatum O’Neal was arrested for allegedly buying crack cocaine from a drug dealer in New York City. WNBC’s Tracie Strahan reports.

Today show

Slideshow
Image: David Letterman
  Celebrity scandals of 2009
From David Letterman’s bizarre confession to Jon and Kate’s divorce to Tiger Woods’ spectacular crash.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Sherlock Holmes - World Premiere Inside Arrivals
  Celeb sightings
Ferrell and Reilly shake ‘n bake again, Miley sings in the city and more.

more photos

Most popular video
  Close up look at the Dreamliner
Dec. 15: Boeing plans to test its revolutionary new airliner, the 787 Dreamliner, in the air later today. NBC’s Lester Holt has a behind-the-scenes look at how the much-delayed jet was made.
  Woods’ wife steps out – without a ring
  ‘It wasn’t a big secret,’ alleged Woods mistress says
  Caylee Anthony’s grandparents break silence
  What happened to missing Utah mom?
Slideshow
Image: Danny Bonaduce
  Fallen stars
Where are they now? Here’s a look at child actors who tumbled from the top.

more photos

msnbc.com staff and news service reports
updated 11:09 a.m. ET June 2, 2008

Oscar-winning actress Tatum O'Neal has been released after her drug arrest in lower Manhattan.

A misdemeanor complaint says police recovered two bags of cocaine from the actress' right front pants pocket when she was arrested around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

No bail was set and none was requested by the prosecutor.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

O’Neal, daughter of actor Ryan O’Neal, appears regularly on the cable television series “Rescue Me” and was the youngest person to win an Oscar for her role in 1973’s “Paper Moon.”

She chronicled her struggles with addiction in her memoir, “A Paper Life.”

According to a report in the New York Daily News, citing a police source, O'Neal initially told police she was "doing research for a part."

When cops, involved in a narcotics sweep in the neighborhood, searched the actress, they found two bags of drugs — one crack, one regular cocaine — and a crack pipe.

According to the Daily News, O'Neal then changed her story, asking police for a break.

"Today was the first time I was relapsing, but you guys saved me! Can you let me go?"

Police could not say whether she had an attorney. Messages left for a publicist were not returned early Monday.

Click for related content

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

  MORE FROM ENTERTAINMENT  
  
Entertainment Section Front
 
Add Entertainment headlines to your news reader:
 

Sponsored links

Resource guide