Poor Ryan O'Neal! Can this guy get more sad? Yesterday, the once-smokin' hot actor went on Today and admitted he was a bad father. The day before that, he had a panic attack. And he's got prostate cancer. I wrote about how heartbreaking all of this is because Ryan used to be super-hot in the 1970s! I know that's shallow, but whatever.

But now Ryan is redeeming himself. Although he has said that he and his longtime girlfriend, Farrah Fawcett, used to get into physical fights, Ryan has some excellent marriage advice! Yes, I'm serious. Read on ...

In an excerpt from his new memoir, Both of Us, which is about his life with Farrah, Ryan talks about how for many years he and Farrah slept in separate bedrooms. It all started when their son, Redmond, would crawl between them in bed, like a lot of kids do. And Redmond, who had very strong legs, would then proceed to kick and kick and kick until Ryan was on the floor. Hahaha. Guess Redmond didn't like ol' Dad even way back then!

Redmond eventually grew up and went back to his own bed, but by then it was too late! Ryan and Farrah had contracted Separate Bedroom Syndrome (SBS). This disease can affect any couple of any socioeconomic background. It's insidious, and it's very hard to cure.

Ryan and Farrah got so used to their "privacy" that they would even book separate bedrooms in hotels when they traveled. At the time, Ryan says, he considered this behavior "terribly mature." Now with Farrah dead of cancer and Ryan not in good shape, he laments:

Now I wish I could have back every one of those nights we slept in separate beds.

Aw, that's really sad. Damn, Ryan, you are tearing me up with all of this stuff. But it's a good lesson for those of you couples out there who may be afflicted with SBS.

Remember that life is short, and there may come a day when you look back and wish, like Ryan, you could cuddle with your partner again. So figure out why you're in separate bedrooms and whether it's something you truly desire. And, if not, then make that room an office and jump back in the sack with the one you love.

Would you sleep in separate bedrooms? Have you?

 

Image via Crown