Rosie O’Donnell’s Father Edward Joseph O’Donnell Dies At 81

Rosie O’Donnell’s tough week has gotten even tougher. Her father, Edward Joseph O’Donnell, died of cancer on Sunday, People reported. He was 81.

The comedienne’s dad was an Irish immigrant who worked as an aerospace electrical engineer in Long Island, N.Y, according to the mag.

Rosie has spoken publicly about the strained relationship she and her father had following her mother’s loss from breast cancer in 1973. Rosie was just 10 years old at the time.

PHOTOS: Stars We Lost In 2015

“He had his own issues and demons,” the former “View” co-host told Piers Morgan in 2012. “He had a very tough childhood. He had an alcoholic, abusive father and never really got the help that I think every person needs when they have lived through that.”

Despite their difficulties, Rosie went on to explain why she decided to forgive her father.

PHOTOS: Rosie O’Donnell Through The Years

“The statute of limitations has to wear off. [When] you get to be 50 years old you can’t still be angry at what your father did in 1970,” she said. “You have to work it out for yourself.”

The actress added that, “no matter what, at the end of the day, every child loves their dad.”

The sad news comes just days after a harrowing ordeal in which Rosie’s teenage daughter, Chelsea, went missing.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, the 17-year-old disappeared on Aug. 11. Rosie shared an alert via her website and Twitter on Aug. 18, two days after police in Rockland County, N.Y. began conducting a search.

WATCH: Rosie O’Donnell Explains ‘The View’ Exit

Chelsea was later found safe at the New Jersey home of 25-year-old Steven Sheerer, who was arrested on Friday and charged with child endangerment.

After news of her dad’s passing broke on Sunday, Rosie Tweeted a picture of a framed collage containing an old wedding photo and other memorabilia.

“through him – with him – in him …” she wrote.

A rep for Rosie had no comment when contacted by Access Hollywood. 

— Erin Biglow

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

M. Emmet Walsh, 'Knives Out' & 'Blade Runner' Star, Dead At 88