Although I was alive before 1995, I always knew of O.J. Simpson because of the trial in which he was acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman more so than for his football or acting careers. But in ESPN's new documentary O.J.: Made in America, Simpson's role in the movie Capricorn One is highlighted since it was one of the first attempts he made to become a serious actor while also being a successful football player. Of course, the trial of the century is a major focus of the 30 for 30 documentary, but the first part of the five-part O.J.: Made in America will give insight into Simpson's earlier life and how he expanded his fame through acting. Even the movie's director, Peter Hyams, discusses Simpson as an actor during the documentary, so where can you watch Capricorn One if the docuseries piques your curiosity?
If you're looking for something to watch after O.J.: Made in America premieres on June 11 at 9 p.m., the movie Capricorn One is available for streaming. In case you're unfamiliar with the conspiracy-filled film, Simpson stars as Navy Commander John Walker alongside veteran screen actors Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Sam Waterston, and Hal Holbrook. He plays an astronaut who reluctantly takes part of a Mars landing hoax orchestrated by the government to fool the American public.
While the above trailer offers more than enough of the plot, you can stream the full movie by buying it through iTunes for $9.99. Amazon also has Capricorn One to stream by either buying it for $7.99 or renting it for $2.99 and — of course — it's available to buy on DVD as well. Currently, the film isn't offered through Netflix's streaming or DVD platforms.
Simpson's role as John Walker was far from his first foray into acting since he had previously starred in the disaster films The Towering Inferno and The Cassandra Crossing, as well as having a small part in the miniseries Roots. He had a plethora of bit parts in TV series, even before he was playing football professionally for the Buffalo Bills, and continued to have larger parts in films before and after Capricorn One. However, Simpson's best known movie role came in the hilarious Naked Gun movies with Leslie Nielsen, and Capricorn One definitely shows a more serious side.
Simpson's movie career is just one element of the man that America is still fascinated with and O.J.: Made in America, directed by Ezra Edelman, will go deep into his life, since it features over 70 interviews. It seems that even now, Simpson still has the ability to make headlines and intrigue the public.
Images: M. Osterreicher/Courtesy of ESPN Films; Warner Bros.
