1984–O.J carries Olympic torch up California incline in Santa Monica. It’s ‘here after ‘handoff I meet my legend while doing a live interview.
Everybody loved this icon, he had a charm to him, a magnetic personality.This fun picture was sadly, a harbinger of things to come…
The 1984 torch relay began in New York. Traversing 33 states and 9,320 miles. Gina Hemphill, Jesse Owen’s granddaughter, relayed it to the L.A Coliseum from here.
We are at the finish line of passing of torch, I’m one of those people behind barricades. I am sizing him up -his style and grace. I want to tackle him because-I love football. I grew up watching this dude!
At the top of the incline, after handing off torch-O.J begins T.V interviews…I stand directly alongside him, listing to his every word…
The torch arrives at its destination-the L.A Coliseum compliments of Gina Hemphill
O.J on the set of “Frogman,” he received training from actual Navy Seals.
Interestingly, NBC never aired this pilot. I happen to know O.J’s personnel driver who took him from his home in Brentwood to locations. I was shocked by what I was told by Gene Carr, “Driver” and former NHL star in his own right…
In 1987-This NHL Star would begin a post hockey career on films as transportation in Vancouver, Canada. Airwolf was filming across our Northern Border. He was assigned as O.J’s driver when he relocated “once again” to Los Angeles. I met Gene when he arrived at Universal, he was loved by everyone and quickly moved up the transportation ranks. We became good friends. Talked everyday and during the making of a David Cassidy special on the Universal lot, he introduced me to his old friend David Cassidy. Gene was drafted by the New York Rangers to start career and became pals with Joe Namath and Cassidy back sun 1971. Gene is not only a hockey legend, but also a Universal Studio legend.On a Pilot titled “Frogman” these two sports legends unite.
1932 -Los Angele’s first Olympiad…
O’J’s gridiron when he was a Trojan!
O.J, as a rookie in Buffalo, wore number 36. It was when he got back his legendary #32, his career took of running…
“Gotta catch a plane”…
On the California incline, we begin in 1984…
My studio career started at this same time, I was a Glamour Tram driver, living in Santa Monica. What fun that era was. I was being paid to du things-I love! Los Angeles was a buzz about hosting the Olympics once again. Many L.A residents left town, fearing complete gridlock on city streets.
I never expected to be at the location where O.J would be -carrying the Olympic Torch of all things. It’s at the peek of this identifier of all things California I meet my hero. As this lit torch gets handed off, O.J is mobbed, the electricity in the air is shocking. Even O.J never experienced a thrill like this. The news reporters move in –as do I.
I had to touch him and did, I patted him on the shoulder as he was talking in a microphone live… “This is one of the greatest thrills of my life” is his answer to the question on just how he feels.
Q-“Where do you go next from here?”
A-“I’m headed over to Sam Nassi’s house for a party” pointing to a home on PCH.
For those who don’t know, Sam is a billionaire and owned the Indiana Pacers at this time. He loves sports like me-this liquidator of giants companies made him a very rich, yet eccentic man.My brief moment was special as anything, especially looking back-a better than football moment for him and myself.
Fast Forward 1994, Ten Years Later
June 12th, 1994, the day before my birthday. While at work on the Universal lot, the news broke on the events from the night before. Like an eclipse of the sun, the studio transformed itself into a dark shadow. Too hard to believe, more details were needed.
Enter Gene Carr, Teamsters Local # 399 .O.J’s driver on a pilot being done by NBC. Navy Seals were involved in the technical side of making a movie star seem realistic as a soldier, capable of killing with his bare hands. Just showbiz right, it’s how films get made. O.J had to feel comfortable with weapons.
Some more freshly squeezed juice…
My good pal Gene Carr shared with me a story while taking O.J from the set, back to his mansion.Gene begins “we were headed back to his place in Brentwood when he out of the blue had me take him to a shop on San Vicente that sells weapons, it’s here he bought a knife and returned to the vehicle”
“Then this event occurs days after, I expected to be a witness in the investigation that followed!” But Gene was not interviewed by detectives, so I have been sitting with this side bar since 1997.
The Verdict…The time has come today, October 3,1995.
A day at Universal unlike any day ever on the studio lot at Universal. Many people in this industry know or have worked with-Mr Simpson. This drama was watched live all over the lot. Every filming show stopped their clocks and cameras to watch this final saga. Never has such interest captivated this city we call Universal…
I remember where I was -Stage 12 watching a T.V in a Gold room with electricians and grips.A factory whose moniker “The show must go on”-came to a complete halt. It’s as if aliens from outer space have landed. Grimness fills the air both here and in the courtroom.
“The glove don’t fit -got to acquit!”
Johnny Cochrane’s Academy Award performance saved Mr. Simpson from life in prison. Basically, they just slapped his hands. They successfully pulled the table cloth from banquet buffet, damaging nothing.
2-people lay dead and the evidence set forth seemed enough to convict, but this jury had it’s own alternate ending. People would return to their workstations stunned, like a hangover, your body is in one place but your mind is in another.
Fade to Black…
At this point in 2024- this event is what it is. Like him or not he is a legend. Marcus Allen, who I have met at the studio and is total gentleman had nothing to say about O.J when we briefly touched base on his predecessor at USC. Rumors were flying around of an affair with Marcus and Nicole Brown. She knows a great running back -when she sees one.
Just another Hollywood –Unsolved Mystery
Written and lived by…Donnie Norden
Phantom of the Backlots 