---
name: "O. J. Simpson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/o-j-simpson"
fi1m_id: "o-j-simpson"
imdb_id: "nm0001740"
tmdb_id: 12951
wikidata_id: "Q44473"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "9 July 1947"
died: "10 April 2024"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-10-04T23:42:37.914208+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# O. J. Simpson

## Identity

O. J. Simpson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/o-j-simpson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** o-j-simpson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001740
- **TMDB ID:** 12951
- **Wikidata ID:** Q44473
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44473, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001740/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/12951

Actor. Born 9 July 1947 in San Francisco, California, USA. Died 10 April 2024.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 9 July 1947, San Francisco, California, USA
- **Died:** 10 April 2024
- **Active:** 1974–1994
- **Also known as:** Orenthal James Simpson, The Juice, O.J. 심슨, O. J. 심프슨, 奥伦塔尔·詹姆斯·辛普森, O.J. Simpson
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 5: 4 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [David Zucker](https://film.one/person/david-zucker.md), [George Kennedy](https://film.one/person/george-kennedy.md), [Leslie Nielsen](https://film.one/person/leslie-nielsen.md), [Pat Proft](https://film.one/person/pat-proft.md), [Priscilla Presley](https://film.one/person/priscilla-presley.md), [Robert K. Weiss](https://film.one/person/robert-k-weiss.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 76 (2), 1980s 88 (1), 1990s 72 (1), 2010s 91 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 68 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 2, Crime 2, Drama 2, Action 1, Thriller 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $460m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44473, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001740/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/12951

## Streaming the US now

- **Hulu:** [*The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!*](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-from-the-files-of-police-squad.md) (88), [*The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear*](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-212-the-smell-of-fear.md) (72)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on O. J. Simpson

> O. J. Simpson’s most effective screen work was the straight-faced slapstick of Nordberg in *The Naked Gun*. He had a useful willingness to look foolish, though his dramatic roles offer less evidence of a distinctive actor.

Nordberg keeps getting hurt, and Simpson plays the indignities with a straight face. In *The Naked Gun* (1988), his athletic public image makes that treatment funnier: physical prowess proves no protection against slapstick. The timing matters as much as his willingness to look foolish; simply being a famous athlete would not make these gags work. We laughed at the repeated injuries because he lets their absurdity register without signalling that he is in on the joke.

He began acting in the early 1970s while still playing professional football, taking supporting parts in ensemble films such as *The Towering Inferno* (1974) and *Capricorn One* (1977). Those appearances established a screen career without making a strong case for him as a dramatic actor. In *Roots* (1977), he plays Kadi Touray, within an ensemble that makes the suffering personal. We recommend the series warmly, despite storytelling that sometimes presses too hard. LeVar Burton carries much of its emotional weight, and our enthusiasm for the programme should not be mistaken for a particular endorsement of Simpson’s performance.

David Zucker found a better use for him in *The Naked Gun*, alongside Leslie Nielsen’s solemn detective. Nielsen supplies the central comic performance, while Simpson contributes to a film whose brisk succession of visual jokes leaves room for a specialised supporting turn. He does not need to sustain our interest through a complicated dramatic scene; he needs to make physical misfortune funny, and he can. A few crude, elderly jokes let the film down, but its invention more than compensates. Nordberg became his most recognised role across three films from 1988 to 1994.

We would be cautious about following his name through the credits of the dramatic films. His celebrity helped secure work that did not consistently reveal a convincing dramatic performer. The comedy makes better use of his physical timing and gives his willingness to be ridiculous a specific job. Start with *The Naked Gun*, for the company as much as for Simpson.

## Biography

O. J. Simpson was an American actor and former professional American footballer. Born in San Francisco, California, he played in the National Football League for 11 seasons before retiring in 1979 and pursuing careers in acting and broadcasting.

His film roles include Detective Nordberg in the comedy series *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!* (1988), *The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear* (1991) and *Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult* (1994). He also appeared in *The Towering Inferno* (1974), *Roots* (1977) as Kadi Touray and *Capricorn One* (1977).

Simpson's acting work was later overshadowed by his 1995 trial and acquittal on charges of murdering his former wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman.

*Sources: imdb.com, rottentomatoes.com, en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (5)

### Performed in (4) — the average rests on these

- *The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear* (1991), Fi1m 72, as Nordberg — [page](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-212-the-smell-of-fear.md)
- *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!* (1988), Fi1m 88, as Nordberg — [page](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-from-the-files-of-police-squad.md)
- *Roots* (1977), Fi1m 83, as Kadi Touray — [page](https://film.one/tv/roots.md)
- *The Towering Inferno* (1974), Fi1m 68, as Jernigan — [page](https://film.one/film/the-towering-inferno.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *O.J.: Made in America* (2016), Fi1m 91, as Self (archive footage) — [page](https://film.one/film/o-j-made-in-america.md)

## Complete filmography (37)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *OJ25* (2020), series, Actor
- *Dark Side of the Ring* (2019), series, Actor
- *Ruby Wax Meets* (1996), series, Actor
- *Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult* (1994), as Nordberg
- *No Place to Hide* (1992), as Allie Wheeler
- *C.I.A. Code Name: Alexa* (1992), as Nick Murphy
- *Adventures in Wonderland* (1992), series, as O.J. Simpson
- *The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear* (1991), as Nordberg — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-212-the-smell-of-fear.md)
- *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!* (1988), as Nordberg — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-from-the-files-of-police-squad.md)
- *Student Exchange* (1987), as Soccer Coach
- *Back to the Beach* (1987), as Man At Airport (uncredited)
- *1st & Ten* (1984), series, as T.D. Parker
- *Hambone and Hillie* (1983), as Tucker
- *Cocaine and Blue Eyes* (1983), as Michael Brennen · Executive Producer
- *Goldie and the Boxer Go to Hollywood* (1981), as Joe Gallagher · Executive Producer
- *Detour to Terror* (1980), as Lee Hayes · Executive Producer
- *Goldie and the Boxer* (1979), as Joe Gallagher · Executive Producer
- *Wide World of Sports: 1970's A Decade in Review* (1979), as (archive footage)
- *Firepower* (1979), as Catlett
- *Capricorn One* (1977), as Cmdr. John Walker
- *A Killing Affair* (1977), as Woodrow York
- *Roots* (1977), series, as Kadi Touray — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/roots.md)
- *The Cassandra Crossing* (1976), as Haley
- *Killer Force* (1976), as Alexander
- *The Towering Inferno* (1974), as Jernigan — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-towering-inferno.md)
- *The Klansman* (1974), as Garth
- *Why?* (1973), as The Athlete
- *Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law* (1971), series, as Simms
- *The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour* (1971), series, Actor
- *Monday Night Football* (1970), series, as Running Back
- *The Dream of Hamish Mose* (1969), Actor
- *Medical Center* (1969), series, Actor
- *Here's Lucy* (1968), series, as O.J. Simpson
- *The Name of the Game* (1968), series, as Gas Chamber Prison Guard (uncredited)
- *It Takes a Thief* (1968), series, as Airplane Passenger (uncredited)
- *Ironside* (1967), series, as Onlooker (uncredited)
- *Dragnet* (1967), series, as Potential Recruit (uncredited)

## Gallery

- ![O. J. Simpson](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-e6e746607d95.jpg) O. J. Simpson — Gerald Johnson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/O.J._Simpson_1990_%C2%B7_DN-ST-91-03444_crop.JPEG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![A football card from the 1986 Jeno's Pizza NFL football card stickers set of Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushing the ball against the New York Jets ](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-1ab9062e3c49.jpg) A football card from the 1986 Jeno's Pizza NFL football card stickers set of Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushing the ball against the New York Jets  — Jeno's, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/1986_Jeno%27s_Pizza_-_29_-_O.J._Simpson.jpg/1280px-1986_Jeno%27s_Pizza_-_29_-_O.J._Simpson.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![The photo contact sheet, identified as B0486 by the White House Photographic Office (WHPO), is housed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, a branch of th (1976)](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-b7387a09c066.jpg) The photo contact sheet, identified as B0486 by the White House Photographic Office (WHPO), is housed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, a branch of th (1976) — White House Photographic Office (WHPO) - Schumacher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Ford_B0486_NLGRF_photo_contact_sheet_%281976-07-03%29%28Gerald_Ford_Library%29.jpg/1280px-Ford_B0486_NLGRF_photo_contact_sheet_%281976-07-03%29%28Gerald_Ford_Library%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![The photo contact sheet, identified as B0524 by the White House Photographic Office (WHPO), is housed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, a branch of th (1976)](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-62fb4e335155.jpg) The photo contact sheet, identified as B0524 by the White House Photographic Office (WHPO), is housed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, a branch of th (1976) — David Hume Kennerly, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Ford_B0524_NLGRF_photo_contact_sheet_%281976-07-01%29%28Gerald_Ford_Library%29.jpg/1280px-Ford_B0524_NLGRF_photo_contact_sheet_%281976-07-01%29%28Gerald_Ford_Library%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![O. J. Simpson](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-58547f74a024.jpg) O. J. Simpson — Image via TMDB
- ![O. J. Simpson](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-6c9566e4dc55.jpg) O. J. Simpson — Image via TMDB
- ![O. J. Simpson](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-996631d5e809.jpg) O. J. Simpson — Image via TMDB
- ![The photo contact sheet, identified as B0524 by the White House Photographic Office (WHPO), is housed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, a branch of th (1976)](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-225bc0e0e7e4.jpg) The photo contact sheet, identified as B0524 by the White House Photographic Office (WHPO), is housed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, a branch of th (1976) — David Hume Kennerly, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Ford_B0524_NLGRF_photo_contact_sheet_%281976-07-01%29%28Gerald_Ford_Library%29_%28Frame_8%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![The photo contact sheet, identified as B0525 by the White House Photographic Office (WHPO), is housed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, a branch of th (1976)](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-feba19089b09.jpg) The photo contact sheet, identified as B0525 by the White House Photographic Office (WHPO), is housed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, a branch of th (1976) — David Hume Kennerly, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Ford_B0525_NLGRF_photo_contact_sheet_%281976-07-03%29%28Gerald_Ford_Library%29.jpg/1280px-Ford_B0525_NLGRF_photo_contact_sheet_%281976-07-03%29%28Gerald_Ford_Library%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![O. J. Simpson](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-dfc8519e0da7.jpg) O. J. Simpson — Image via TMDB
- ![O. J. Simpson](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-30c506017ab2.jpg) O. J. Simpson — Image via TMDB
- ![O. J. Simpson](https://film.one/media/person/119363/gallery-09b5c520cb9d.jpg) O. J. Simpson — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Associated Press Athlete of the Year 1973: Associated Press Athlete of the Year (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/o-j-simpson