The movie was adapted by Erich Segal from his own novel, and directed by Arthur Hiller.
It won the Academy Award for Original Music Score, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Ryan O'Neal), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (John Marley), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Ali MacGraw), Best Director, Best Picture and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced.
Love Story was followed by a 1978 sequel, Oliver's Story.
Erich Segal has said that he based the character of Oliver on Vice President Al Gore and Gore's Harvard roommate Tommy Lee Jones.