OJ Simpson, also known as Orenthal James Simpson, achieved remarkable success in the NFL and harbored aspirations in Hollywood before facing accusations and subsequent acquittal in the murders of his former spouse, Nicole Simpson, and her companion, Ron Goldman, in a widely followed court case that gripped the nation.
OJ Simpson, born as Orenthal James Simpson, excelled as a standout football athlete at the University of Southern California.
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In June 1967, he wed his first spouse, Marguerite Whitley, with whom he had two children, Arnelle and Jason.
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The Buffalo Bills selected Simpson as the top overall pick in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft.
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During the early 1970s, Simpson showcased his skills as a running back for the Buffalo Bills.
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By the conclusion of his football tenure, Simpson (#32) earned recognition on the NFL All-Decade Team of the 1970s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
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Simpson and Whitley initiated divorce proceedings in 1979.
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Following a decade in the NFL, Simpson transitioned his focus to acting and sports broadcasting.
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In 1974, Simpson participated in the film “The Klansman” alongside Lola Falana and Richard Burton.
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He took on a role in the thriller/sci-fi movie “Capricron One” featuring Sam Waterston and James Brolin.
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Simpson crossed paths with Nicole Brown in 1977 while she was employed as a waitress in Beverly Hills, leading to their marriage in February 1985.
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His acting credits include the 1979 film “Firepower.”
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Simpson appeared alongside George Kennedy, Leslie Nielsen, and Susan Beaubian in “The Naked Gun” in 1988.
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A snapshot captured Simpson mingling with guests at the Kauai Party on October 6, 1988, at Lagoons in Kauai, Hawaii.
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Brown and Simpson welcomed two children, Justin Simpson and Sydney Simpson, before their divorce in October 1992.
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In 1994, Simpson faced allegations of the murder of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, who were discovered with stab wounds outside her Brentwood residence.
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Simpson was photographed with his children, Justin and Sydney, at Nicole Brown’s funeral on June 16, 1994.
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O.J. Simpson was pursued by Los Angeles police vehicles in a high-speed chase on a Southern California freeway in Los Angeles on June 17, 1994, following accusations of two counts of murder.
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The O.J. Simpson trial stands out as one of the most watched court cases in American history.
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On October 3, 1995, Simpson was acquitted of the charges related to the deaths of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.
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Simpson was apprehended and detained without bail for the robbery of sports memorabilia that he asserted belonged to him and had been stolen and traded by collectors in September 2007.
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On December 5, 2008, Simpson received a sentence on 12 counts, including felony kidnapping and armed robbery linked to the 2007 altercation with sports memorabilia vendors in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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In a development on July 20, 2017, Simpson was granted parole at Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nevada, subsequent to serving 9 years for the 2007 conviction.
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O.J. Simpson passed away on April 11, 2024, following a battle with prostate cancer.
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