Netflix Adds Oscar-Winning O.J. Simpson Documentary Two Days After His Death
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on April 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM EDT
Following O.J. Simpson's passing earlier this week, Netflix has added a documentary that tells his life story, from childhood to his infamous murder trial.
Simpson, who is known for his time in the NFL and for the notorious white Ford Bronco car chase, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 76.
O.J. Simpson Passes Away After Battle With Cancer
In a statement shared on Thursday, April 11, 2024, the Simpson family announced that O.J. passed away on April 10, 2024.
"He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren," the family announced. "During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace."
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Simpson had undergone chemotherapy following his prostate cancer diagnosis.
According to The American Cancer Society, "Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from the gland cells in the prostate (the cells that make the prostate fluid that is added to the semen). Other types of cancer that can start in the prostate include small cell carcinoma (small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.)"
'30 For 30: O.J.: Made in America'
On April 13, just two days after the world learned of Simpson's passing, Netflix added the documentary '30 for 30: O.J.: Made in America' to its streaming service, which tells the story of Simpson, from his childhood growing up in San Francisco’s projects to his career as a football star in college and the NFL.
Of course, it also details the allegations of Simpson killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, and takes a deeper dive into the relationship between the police department and the Black community.
The five-part documentary series won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. It was directed by Ezra Edelman and produced by Deirdre Fenton, Eric Leyden, Tamara Rosenberg, and Caroline Waterlow.
Other O.J. Simpson Documentaries And Shows
Other documentaries focusing on O.J. Simpson's life include 'O.J.: Made in America,' which is currently streaming on Hulu. This documentary explores race and celebrity through the life of O. J. Simpson, from his football career to his murder trial.
Another popular documentary people can watch is 'O.J. Speaks: The Hidden Tapes,' available on Amazon Prime Video or Pluto. This one gives viewers a unique perspective on Simpson's civil trial.
Plus, 'The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story,' which stars Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. Simpson and David Schwimmer as Rob Kardashian, focuses on the O. J. Simpson murder case.
O.J. Simpson's Infamous White Ford Bronco Car Chase
On June 17, 1994, millions tuned in to watch police chase down a white Ford Bronco that had Simpson in the backseat with a gun to his head. During the pursuit, Simpson spoke with Detective Tom Lange on the phone, who tried to convince Simpson to throw the gun out the window.
"Don't do this. [Your kids] love you. Don't do it, O.J. It's going to work itself out," Detective Lange said, per a transcript obtained by CNN. "It's going to work. It's going to work. You're listening to me, I know you are, and you're thinking about your kids right now, aren't you? Aren't you?"
The chase, which lasted nearly two hours, ended at Simpson's house, where he was taken into custody for suspicion of murdering his ex-wife and her friend.
O.J. Simpson Goes To Trial
O.J. Simpson was arrested and charged with the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. He went to trial on January 24, 1995.
The trial lasted approximately four months, and on October 3, 1995, after less than four hours of deliberation, the jury found O.J. Simpson not guilty of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
Many believe the Rodney King case had an indirect influence on the O.J. Simpson trial, particularly due to its race relations and perceptions of the criminal justice system during the 1990s. Following the Rodney King incident, riots heightened and racial tensions in Los Angeles and across the country increased. The Black community no longer trusted the criminal justice system.
Ultimately, Simpson was acquitted of the murders in 1995. Plus, in 2007, Simpson was charged with twelve felony counts, including kidnapping and armed robbery. Thirteen years to the day after Simpson was acquitted in the double murder trial, the former NFL player was found guilty and sentenced to up to 33 years in prison.
