Love Story is a 1970 American romantic drama film directed by Arthur Hiller, written by Erich Segal (who concurrently adapted his screenplay into a 1970 novel). It stars Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal, and features John Marley, Ray Milland, and Tommy Lee Jones in his film debut. The film is about a relationship between two students at Harvard College β the upper-class Oliver Barrett IV (O'Neal) and the working-class Jenny Cavilleri (MacGraw) β who are eventually affected by tragedy. The film was released by Paramount Pictures on December 16, 1970.