"It is treatable. It is not life threatening. He is doing great," she said.

O'Neal is best known for Love Story

O'Neal's latest project is the film People I Know, starring Al Pacino and Kim Basinger.

Filming on the romantic comedy was completed at the end of March.

Known for his boyish good looks, O'Neal was Oscar-nominated for his performance in classic weepy Love Story, opposite Ali MacGraw.

They play university students whose romance turns to tragedy when she is diagnosed with cancer.

He first gained fame as one of the stars of US TV's hit soap opera Peyton Place, which ran from 1964 to 1969.

After Love Story, he went to play a number of romantic leads.

He starred in The Main Event and What's Up, Doc? opposite Barbra Streisand.

His other films include The Driver, Faithful and The List.

The actor is also known for a 15-year relationship with former Charlie's Angel actress Farah Fawcett.

The couple split up in 1997. They have a teenage son, Redmond.

O'Neal is also the father of actress Tatum O'Neal.

Father and daughter worked together on the 1973 movie Paper Moon, for which she won an Oscar for best supporting actress.