O.J. Simpson has passed away at the age of 76 after a reported long battle with prostate cancer.
The former American football star, who was famously found not guilty of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, saw his health worsen in recent months, eventually entering hospice care, according to TMZ.
His family shared the news of his death through a post on his X account.
“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
“During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace,” the statement said.
Simpson was accused, charged, and later acquitted of the murders of Brown and Goldman in 1994, in what was called “the trial of the century.” His acquittal, decided by a mostly Black jury, became a key moment in American cultural history.
In 1996, a civil court found him guilty of the murders and ordered him to pay over $30 million to the families of the victims. He paid part of that amount before his death.
How much was OJ worth?
The general belief is that the NFL Hall of Fame star had an estimated net worth of $3 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
OJ earns a steady income through pensions, which creditors and the Goldman family cannot legally take.
He gets $42,000 a year in Social Security, a pension from the Screen Actors Guild, and between $125,000 and $300,000 annually from an NFL pension.
OJ and his late ex-wife were married for seven years before they separated in 1992. According to a court filing, OJ said he had an estimated net worth of $10.8 million and a monthly income of $55,000, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
In the end, OJ agreed to pay Nicole a lump sum of $433,750 and an additional $10,000 in child support.
Legal fees and court settlements caused a big drop in his wealth.
OJ Simpson (Credits: Getty Images)
Who stands to inherit his fortune?
His $3 million fortune is expected to go to his four surviving children: Sydney, Jason, Justin, and Arnelle Simpson.
His daughter Aaren drowned in a swimming pool accident in 1979 when she was a toddler.
Goldman’s family, which is still fighting for the multimillion-dollar wrongful death judgment, took control of the manuscript. They renamed the book “If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer.”
“It’s all blood money, and unfortunately I had to join the jackals,” Simpson told The Associated Press at the time. He received $880,000 in advance money for the book, paid through a third party.
“It helped me get out of debt and secure my homestead,” he said.
Less than two months after losing the rights to the book, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas.
All about O.J. Simpson’s early career
When he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1967, Simpson demanded $650,000 for five years, which was one of the highest salaries in pro sports at that time.
Simpson was born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco. He became famous as a top football player in college, playing for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968, which is awarded to the best college football player in the United States.
This would later be overshadowed by the events in 1994 when his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were found murdered outside Nicole’s home in Los Angeles.
Simpson quickly became the main suspect in the case, which led to a media frenzy. The trial, known as the People v. O.J. Simpson, lasted nearly nine months from 1994 to 1995.
It was one of the most publicized trials in American history, broadcast live on television and followed closely by the public. His defense team, led by famous attorneys like Robert Kardashian and Johnnie Cochran, successfully argued that Simpson was framed and that police mishandled the evidence.
OJ Simpson (Credits: Getty Images)
Despite strong evidence against him, including DNA and circumstantial evidence, Simpson was found not guilty of all criminal charges on October 3, 1995. The verdict caused a lot of debate, with many people believing that Simpson had gotten away with murder.
In a later civil trial in 1997, Simpson was found responsible for the wrongful deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, and he was ordered to pay millions in damages to their families. However, he has always claimed he is innocent of the murders.
Simpson was also involved in other crimes in 2007 when he was arrested for stealing sports memorabilia. He was convicted on charges including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, assault, and robbery. He was sentenced to 33 years but was released in October 2017.
O.J. Simpson’s college football career
Simpson was a standout running back at Galileo High School in San Francisco and graduated in 1965. He then attended City College of San Francisco, where he was named a junior college All-American during his first two seasons.
Simpson transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) as both a football and track star. He placed sixth in the NCAA 100-meter dash and ran the third leg on the world-record-setting 440-yard relay team, which won an NCAA title. In his junior year at USC, Simpson led the nation in rushing with 1,543 yards, scored 13 touchdowns, and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.
In 1968, Simpson set the NCAA single-season rushing record with 1,709 yards, leading the Trojans to a Rose Bowl appearance, although they lost to Ohio State. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 after his senior year at USC, marking the second Heisman in the history of USC’s football program.
Simpson was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1985.
OJ Simpson (Credits: Getty Images)
O.J. Simpson’s NFL Career
After playing two successful years at USC, the Buffalo Bills picked Simpson as the first choice in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft.
According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Simpson led the NFL in rushing yards from 1972 to 1976, gaining a total of 7,699 yards over four seasons. In 1973, Simpson became the first running back to run for over 2,000 yards, finishing the season with 2,003 yards, averaging 142.1 rushing yards per game.
During his 11-year career, Simpson ran for 11,236 yards, caught passes for 2,142 yards, returned kicks for 990 yards, and scored 76 touchdowns. He was selected for six Pro Bowls, named a first-team All-Pro five times, and was part of the NFL All-Decade Team of the 1970s.
O.J. Simpson’s career after football
After retiring from the NFL in 1979, O.J. Simpson went on to work as a sports commentator and actor. He became a commentator for Monday Night Football and the NFL on NBC. He also acted in several movies, such as “Naked Gun,” “The Klansman,” “The Towering Inferno,” and “The Cassandra Crossing,” among others.
O.J. Simpson’s murder trial and acquittal
In 1985, Simpson married Nicole Brown, and they had two children together. Brown filed for divorce in 1992. In 1994, Brown and her friend Ron Goldman were found stabbed to death outside Brown’s condo in Los Angeles.
Simpson was accused of murdering Brown and Goldman. He refused to turn himself in, which led to the famous low-speed chase in a white 1993 Ford Bronco SUV.
The highly publicized trial, known as the “Trial of the Century,” ended with Simpson being found not guilty of the murders, and he was acquitted of all charges.
[Updated: 04/01/2025]
Animal Kingdom has been successful on the big screen for five seasons, with season six debuting in June 2022. The show is primarily a character-driven drama. While it has many other strengths, what draws most viewers is the emotional impact it has on them. The story focuses on the Cody family, and the twists and surprises throughout the five seasons have made it even more engaging. Here is a look at the cast and net worth of Animal Kingdom .
Animal Kingdom is a crime drama set in a tough surf town. After his mother dies from a drug overdose, 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody moves in with his wild cousins in their Southern California coastal town.
The family is led by Janine “Smurf” Cody, the grandmother, and her right-hand man Baz, who runs the business and makes the important decisions. The oldest and most dangerous of the Cody boys is Pope. There are many other talented actors who contribute to the show’s success, and viewers are curious about who has the highest net worth on the series. Let’s find out.
Ben Robson: $4 million
Ben Robson plays Craig William Cody in the show. Craig is the second oldest son, and his addiction to drugs leads him to make extreme decisions. Craig is strong, fearless, and addicted to excitement.
He is the only member of the family who doesn’t consider the consequences of his actions, which could be due to his drug use.
Animal Kingdom Cast And Net Worth – Ben Robson (Credits: Getty Images)
Ben Robson is an actor and supermodel from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, born on February 4, 1984. At 37 years old, Robson is not currently in a relationship. His net worth is estimated at $4 million.
Spencer Treat Clark: $5 Million – $8 Million
In Animal Kingdom , Spencer Adrian Dolan plays the role of Treat Clark. Adrian was first shown as Deran’s friend and secret lover in the series. In later seasons, he is seen as Deran’s colleague or ex-lover.
Adrian and Deran eventually start their relationship again, but this time they are more open about it and even move in together. Spencer Treat Clark is an actor from the United States who was born in New York City, New York, on September 24, 1987. He began acting when he was young and has appeared in movies like Gladiator and Unbreakable .
Animal Kingdom Cast And Net Worth – Spencer Treat Clark (Credits: Getty Images)
As of mid-2022, Spencer Treat Clark’s net worth is estimated to be over $5 million, thanks to his successful career as an actor and producer. He began his career in the mid-1990s and has worked on nearly 40 television and film projects.
Jake Weary: $2 Million
Jake Weary played Deran Cameron Cody in the TNT series. He is the youngest son of Smurf and is often called the family’s baby. Deran is a former professional surfer, and among the Animal Kingdom characters, he also runs a bar as a respectable side business.
Jake Weary is a singer, actor, musician, songwriter, and music producer from the United States. He has played roles like Luke Synder in As the World Turns and Vince Keeler in Chicago Fire , two of the best TV shows.
Animal Kingdom Cast And Net Worth – Jake Weary (Credits: Getty Images)
He married his long-time partner, Vera Bulder, in 2019, ending rumors about his sexuality. Jake Weary’s net worth is estimated at $2 million.
Carolina Guerra: $5 Million – $8 Million
In Animal Kingdom , Carolina Guerra played the role of Lucy. She started as Baz’s girlfriend and lover. When Lucy was 16 years old, she and Baz had been in a relationship. However, Smurf tried to keep them apart.
Lucy has a brother named Marco, who is involved in drug theft and dealing. She also has a son. Carolina Guerra is a Colombian actress, model, and TV host, born in Bogota on July 30, 1987.
Animal Kingdom Cast And Net Worth – Carolina Guerra (Credits: Getty Images)
Guerra has had a few boyfriends throughout her life. In 2019, she married David Reuben Jr. at a ceremony in Nevada during the Burning Man Event. While her exact net worth is unknown, some sources report that it is around $6 million. Her husband, David Reuben Jr., is the heir to a fortune worth almost £19 billion.
Finn Cole: $3 Million
In the Animal Kingdom series, Finn Cole plays Joshua Cody. Joshua Cody is the main character and Smurf’s young grandson. From season one to season four, Joshua shows a more aggressive, masculine side. He struggles to survive in a world filled with plenty and tries to figure out how to stay alive.
Animal Kingdom Cast And Net Worth – Finn Cole (Credits: Getty Images)
Finn Cole is an English actor born in London on November 9, 1995. At 26 years old, he is not currently dating anyone. Finn Cole has appeared in several TV shows, with his most famous role being Michael Gray in Peaky Blinders . Finn is active on social media, including Instagram. His net worth is estimated to be $3 million.
Scott Speedman: $3 Million
In Animal Kingdom , Scott Speedman plays Barry Blackwell, also known as Baz. He is the adopted son of the Cody family and is the mastermind behind their robberies. Like the rest of his family, Baz is manipulative and self-centered.
Baz appears in only 25 episodes of the series. To understand the reason for this, you will need to watch the show. Scott Speedman is a British actor born in Hammersmith, England, on September 1, 1975.
Speedman has appeared in several films and TV shows, including The Vow , Dark Blue , Underworld , and State of the Union . He has never been married, but he has been in relationships with several women.
Animal Kingdom Cast And Net Worth – Scott Speedman (Credits: Getty Images)
His current net worth is estimated at $3 million. Scott Speedman has gained a large fan following because of his roles in both television and films. However, he does not have any social media accounts.
Shawn Hatosy: $5 Million
Shawn Hatosy is one of the Animal Kingdom actors with the highest net worth, totaling $5 million. While Ellen Barkin may have a more established career, Hatosy has built a strong career over the years. Many of his achievements might make fans recognize him right away.
Hatosy started in the industry in 1995, working on both film and television projects, slowly advancing to bigger roles. For some time, Hatosy struggled to land major film roles, but that changed in 1997 when he got a role in The Postman .
The next year, he appeared in The Faculty . Hatosy continued to land roles in the 2000s, with significant films like John Q , Alpha Dog , and Public Enemies .
Animal Kingdom Cast And Net Worth – Shawn Hatosy (Credits: Getty Images)
Early in his TV career, Hatosy made guest appearances on famous shows like Six Feet Under , Law & Order , Felicity , ER , and The Twilight Zone before getting a lead role. He starred in 43 episodes of Southland from 2009 to 2013, which was a major breakthrough for him.
After that, he took on a few roles before landing the part of Pope on Animal Kingdom . Hatosy has done very well in his career, and some of the other cast members are not far behind him in terms of success.
Ellen Barkin: $80 Million
When it comes to the amazing cast of Animal Kingdom , a few actors stand out for their long careers in the industry. Ellen Barkin, who has had a successful career for many years, leads the main cast. Barkin has achieved a lot in her career, and it’s no surprise that she is the richest member of the cast, with a net worth of $80 million.
Before joining Animal Kingdom , Barkin had a successful career and earned critical praise early in her career. She began working in Hollywood as a young actor in the 1970s, and over the years, she worked in both movies and television.
Barkin appeared in many films, including Sea of Love , The Big Easy , The Fan , Switch , Ocean’s Thirteen , Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas , and several others.
Animal Kingdom Cast And Net Worth – Ellen Barkin (Credits: Getty Images)
Barkin’s television work mostly consisted of television films rather than series or sitcoms. Before playing Smurf on Animal Kingdom , she had lead roles on The New Normal and Happyish . However, things have gone well for her, and she has delivered strong performances since taking on the role of Smurf in her current successful show.
While there is a big difference in wealth between Barkin and the other cast members, some of the other main characters are doing quite well too.
[Updated: 04/01/2025]
