OJ Simpson's Net Worth (Updated September 2022) | Wealthy Gorilla

Net Worth:	$3 Million
Born:	July 9, 1947
Died	April 10, 2024
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Country of Origin:	United States of America
Source of Wealth:	Professional NFL Player
Last Updated:	Dec 27, 2025

Table of Contents

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• Introduction
• Career Overview
• Endorsement Deals
• Divorce Settlement

Introduction

O.J. Simpson was an American football running back, broadcaster, actor, advertising spokesman, and defendant in what has been described as the “trial of the century.” At the time of his death, O.J. Simpson’s net worth was roughly $3 Million.

Career Overview

Throughout college, O.J. Simpson stood out for his combination of speed and athleticism in various sports, including football and running. Having proven his abilities early, he would enjoy a successful career as a professional footballer and break several records. Simpson’s career then expanded into various acting roles on both television and in movies, marred by the controversial trial for the murder of Nicole Brown.

Professional Football Career

OJ Simpson’s professional football career began in 1969 following his selection in the NFL draft. The upcoming star signed with the Buffalo Bills. He remained with the Bills for several seasons, breaking team records throughout his tenure after struggling to make an impact in the first three years.

By 1972, Simpson had rushed over 1000 yards for the first time in his career, following this with a league-leading total shortly after. He then became the first player to break the 2000-yard rushing mark in a game against the New York Jets, breaking Jim Brown’s previous record.

He continued to play for some of the wealthiest NFL teams, transitioning to the San Francisco 49ers in 1978 and remaining there for two seasons.

Early Acting Career During The 1960s & 1970s

While OJ Simpson enjoyed massive success as a professional football player, he also branched out into various acting roles in movies and TV shows. Following an uncredited appearance on Dragnet, he appeared in an episode of Medical Center and then had a string of roles in television commercials.

Simpson avoided becoming typecast in Blaxploitation movies, preferring to focus on acting in eclectic productions that would develop his acting skills. In addition to his appearance in the 1977 television miniseries Roots, Simpson would take on roles in movies, including The Towering Inferno and The Cassandra Crossing.

In 1978, he starred in Capricorn One, using the money from this and other movies to finance his film production company, Orenthal Productions.

Movie Career Highlights From The 1980s

By the 1980s, OJ Simpson’s rising fame paved the way for many additional movie roles spanning various genres and styles.

In addition to being considered for the title role of The Terminator, which eventually went to Arnold Schwarzenegger, he had reprising roles in the Naked Gun franchise.

Simpson would also take on many roles in television movies and shows, including a pilot for the series Frogmen, which capitalized on the success of the A-Team.

The trial for murder in the mid-1990s ended his progression through the entertainment industry, with Simpson unable to find work until the 2000s.

Endorsement Deals

As a sportsman and celebrity, O.J. Simpson has earned significant sums of money thanks to his many lucrative brand endorsement deals.

During his early career as a football player, he partnered with Chevrolet and ABC, following this collaboration with appearances in advertisements for Hertz car rentals. The deal significantly increased the company’s profits, and CEO Frank Olson recognized Simpson’s value to their profit margins.

Additional endorsements that helped Simpson’s wealth increase include Pioneer Chicken, Honey Baked Ham, and Calistoga Water Company’s soft drinks.

Divorce Settlement

In February 1992, Simpson’s then-wife, Nicole Brown, filed for divorce after seven years together, marrying in 1985, citing irreconcilable differences.

When the couple separated, Brown moved into a rental home on Gretna Green Way in Brentwood for $5,000 a month. She later stated in an affidavit for spousal and child support that, due to her lack of college education, her primary responsibility was caring for their two children, and her frequent travel with Simpson for his career commitments left her no opportunity to improve her financial situation.

Therefore, in October 1992, she was awarded a lump sum of $433,750 and $10,000 per month in child support and was allowed to keep the deeds to a rental property in San Francisco. This was based on the court stating that Simpson had property and earnings worth $10.8 million and a reported income at the time of $55,000 a month.

The couple did try to reconcile their differences in 1993, but to no avail, likely because their previous marriage was reportedly filled with verbal and physical abuse.