O.J. Simpson, the Former Football Star and Actor Charged with Murdering His Ex-Wife, Passes Away at 76
The Rise of O.J. Simpson
O.J. Simpson, the former football star and actor famously accused of murdering his ex-wife, has passed away at the age of 76 after battling cancer, as confirmed by his family. He died on Wednesday at his residence in Las Vegas.
His family issued a statement on his official social media account, saying, “On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, lost his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time, the family kindly requests privacy and understanding.”
Although Simpson was acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in a highly publicized trial, he was later found responsible for their deaths in a civil lawsuit brought by the victims’ families.
Born in San Francisco as Orenthal James Simpson, he rose to fame winning the Heisman Trophy while at USC and achieved great success as a professional football player with the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills.
Simpson ventured into acting during his time at USC and appeared in various films and TV shows, including “The Klansman,” “The Cassandra Crossing,” “The Towering Inferno,” and the miniseries “Roots,” alongside his football career.
Following his retirement from football, he starred in the “Naked Gun” movies and the comedy “Back to the Beach.” However, his involvement in a legal case abruptly halted a TV project titled “Frogmen” for NBC.
The O.J. Simpson Legacy
In June 1994, the tragic murders of his ex-wife and her friend thrust Simpson into the spotlight as a suspect. His attempt to flee from police in a widely televised slow-speed car chase captured the attention of millions.
Although he was acquitted in the subsequent trial, Simpson was later found liable for wrongful death and battery in a civil suit brought by the victims’ families, resulting in substantial damages.
Simpson’s life has been the subject of numerous films and docuseries, including “The O.J. Simpson Story,” “American Tragedy,” “OJ: Trial of the Century,” “O.J.: Made in America,” and “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” Additionally, Sacha Baron Cohen’s attempt to interview Simpson in disguise for his show “Who Is America?” became a notable moment. In 2021, Simpson was released from parole for good behavior.
