Ryan O`Neal is being sued
A civil suit was filed in Los Angeles on 08.07.11 by the UT System Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Texas in a bid to obtain the Andy Warhol work after the late `Charlie`s Angels` actress - who lost her battle with cancer two years ago - bequeathed her entire art collection to her former college, including two matching pictures by the famous pop artist.
However, the university has so far just received one of the portraits.
Barry Burgdorf, vice chancellor and general counsel for the UT System told The Statesman: "Obviously, the Warhol is the big-ticket item.
"Ryan has made it clear in public comments that he considers it his and intends to keep it,"
The actor - who was famously left nothing in his on/off lover`s will - insists the painting belongs to him and blasted the "ridiculous" lawsuit.
His spokesperson Arnold Robinson told America`s Star magazine: "This is a completely ridiculous lawsuit. Ryan`s friendship with Andy Warhol began 10 years prior to his meeting Farrah Fawcett.
"When Ryan introduced Farrah to Andy Warhol, he chose to complete two portraits of her, one for Miss Fawcett and one for Mr. O`Neal. Mr. O`Neal looks forward to being completely vindicated in the courts."
The University of Texas had hired private investigators in an effort to track down the portrait, which is worth an estimated $30 million.
However, its whereabouts were soon made clear when Ryan`s new reality TV series, `Ryan & Tatum: The O`Neals`, revealed it to be hanging above his bed in his Malibu mansion.
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