American Actor and Professional American Football Player - OJ Simpson

When it comes to fame, there are several paths to the coveted pleasure. Whatever choice one decides to take, often times, it is known that there is one thing that a person can lay claim to as their reason for being famous. For OJ Simpson, there are multiple reasons. He can lay claim to football, acting, and generation-defining murder trial as his reasons for fame.

It is hard to live one exciting lifetime but the story and history of OJ Simpson, whose full name is Orenthal James Simpson is filled with enough excitement and drama for three lifetimes. There is plenty to learn about the man from his criminal life to his sports life and personal life which over time merged to form one national sized scandal.

Details of these and more are discussed below.

OJ Simpson Biography

OJ Simpson. The name that has become much more than just the name of the running back who played for the Buffalo Bills between 1969 and 1977 but as a symbol of racial inequality in America and the flaws of the American justice system. OJ Simpson, it is the name of one of the most significant men in American modern history who was born on the 9th of July, 1947 in San Francisco, California to Eunice and Jimmy Lee Simpson.

He spent his teenage life growing up in San Francisco and got his first taste of life behind bars before he was 20 years of age. Eventually, OJ who is nicknamed The Juice focused on football and found his way to the University of Southern California where he began to garner national attention for his exploits on the football field.

He was eventually drafted to play for the Buffalo Bills in 1969 and started a great career as a player for the Bills. Over the course of his time playing for the Bills and briefly for the San Francisco 49ers, he broke and set several records, and won several individual accolades such as the NFL Rushing Title, which he won four times.

After his football career ended, he began what was a lifelong dream to become an actor and appeared in films like The Klansman, The Naked Gun and Back to the Beach. Furthermore, on screen, he worked as a sportscaster, commentating on football games for NBC.

The steady growth of his post-football career as an actor was interrupted when he was arrested for the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. The trial which was dubbed the Trial of the Century lasted eleven months and ended with OJ Simpson being acquitted for both murders.

It would not be the end of his legal troubles however, particularly in a criminal case. He was arrested in 2007 for the robbery of a casino in Las Vegas and was subsequently sent to prison for 33 years. After serving nine years in prison, he was released on parole in 2017.

What is His Net Worth?

OJ during his trial

Well, we will tell you now – you are not likely to find OJ Simpson throw a lavish party on an expensive yacht anytime soon. Apart from the fact, there are few important personalities who would show up, OJ Simpson no longer has the juice to display such extravagance. Through legal battles and poor money management, the former Buffalo Bills player is believed to be worth between $250,000 and $3 million according to different sources.

What is definitely certain however is, OJ Simpson who is now a free man earns $25,000 every year from his NFL Pensions.

Who are His Kids and Wife?

OJ Simpson got into the marital life as early as age 19. He first married Marguerite L. Whitley whom he was with from June 24, 1967, to March 1979. While the tail end of their marriage was steeped in infidelity and controversy, the beginnings were pleasant and during it, produced three children – Arnelle L. Simpson, Jason L. Simpson, and Aaren Lashone Simpson. All three children were born in 1968, 1970 and 1977 respectively. Unfortunately, their last born, Aaren died as a result of drowning in 1979.

After divorcing his wife, he married Nicole Brown whom he had been dating before he divorced his wife. They got married in February 1985 and gave birth to two children – Sydney Brooke Simpson and Justin Ryan Simpson in 1985 and 1988 respectively.

The marriage, however, did not last and they got divorced in February 1992, sparking a series of events that led to the infamous trial of the century.

Where is He now?

After serving nine years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping, OJ Simpson was released to join society in October 2017. Ever since he has mostly been living his life away from media attention and taking the occasional selfies with men and women who approach him for one.