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Los Angeles - Rosie O'Donnell's father, Edward O'Donnell, has died aged 81.
The comedian's dad - who worked as an aerospace electrical engineer for Fairchild, Schlumberger and Grumman - died of cancer, according to Us Weekly.
The 53-year-old star and her father had a strained relationship after her mother's death, which occurred when the former 'View' co-host was just 10 years old.
Reflecting on their relationship during an interview in 2012, Rosie shared: "He had his own issues and demons, 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 as a child.
"I think that he had a lot of problems to deal with."
News of her father's death comes shortly after a man was arrested over the recent disappearance of Rosie's 17-year-old daughter Chelsea, who was found safe after going missing for a week.
Authorities have confirmed Steven Sheerer, 25, faces charges of child endangerment and distribution of obscenity to a minor and if convicted, faces up to 10 years in prison.
