O.J. Simpson’s Lawyer Responds to SNL 50 Joke About Murder: ‘He Knew His Place in Society’.
O.J. Simpson’s longtime lawyer Malcolm LaVergne has shared his reaction to a joke made about the infamous acquitted double murderer during the Saturday Night Live (SNL) 50th Anniversary Special, which aired on February 16, 2025.
During the opening monologue of the special, comedian John Mulaney, 42, cracked a joke about Simpson, referring to two notorious murderers having hosted the show. “894 people have hosted SNL, and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder,” Mulaney said, adding humorously to the list of bizarre moments that have occurred during the show’s rich history.
LaVergne, who currently serves as the executor of Simpson’s estate, responded to the quip with unexpected approval. He stated that Simpson, who was acquitted of the double murder charges in 1995, would have found the joke amusing and would have likely been “indifferent” to it.
According to LaVergne, “O.J. knew his place in society and didn’t fight against it, good or bad. He just lived his life: golf, friends (rich ones or Joe Blue Collar), good food, and hot young women.
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And then it was over. The end.” This remark highlights Simpson’s ability to accept the public perception of him, no matter the circumstances. LaVergne’s perspective offers a candid, perhaps bittersweet reflection on Simpson’s life in the public eye.
The specific joke referenced Simpson’s appearance on SNL in 1978, during its third season. At that time, Simpson, who was a celebrated NFL running back, was still widely regarded as a beloved sports icon.
The special moment on SNL also acknowledged another notorious figure, Robert Blake, who hosted the show in 1982. Blake’s legal history mirrors Simpson’s in some ways, as both men were acquitted of murder charges but later found liable for wrongful death in civil lawsuits.
Blake was charged with the 2001 murder of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, and was acquitted in 2005, later facing a civil trial that also ruled in favor of Bakley’s estate. Blake, who died in 2023, was 89.
Simpson’s notorious trial in the mid-1990s, in which he faced charges for the brutal murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman, remains one of the most publicized legal cases in U.S. history. Simpson’s acquittal shocked many, but the legal saga did not end there.
In 1997, a civil lawsuit found Simpson liable for the deaths of Brown and Goldman, resulting in a judgment for $33.5 million in damages, a sum that he has largely been unable to pay.
Simpson passed away in April 2024, after battling prostate cancer at the age of 76. His death marked the end of a long and controversial chapter in American celebrity culture, with his legal battles and public persona forever etched in the public’s collective memory.
Beyond the joke about Simpson, LaVergne took the opportunity to remind viewers of another high-profile case, Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter charge following the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust in October 2021.
Baldwin had denied pulling the trigger, and in 2024, a judge dismissed the case against him. LaVergne jokingly remarked that hosting SNL might offer a surprising level of protection from serious legal consequences, quipping, “Anyone who hosts SNL can get away with homicide.”
LaVergne’s comments also pointed out a recent legal matter involving Simpson’s estate. In January 2025, the estate filed a lawsuit against Simpson’s son, Justin Simpson, over the status of a Las Vegas property. Justin’s company, Primary Holdings, had purchased the property in 2022 for $795,000, but LaVergne claimed that Simpson had been intended to be the “de facto owner” of the house.
The lawsuit alleges that the property was purchased in a bid to shield Simpson from creditors, including the IRS and the families of Brown and Goldman. The estate has demanded either payment for the property’s increased value or that Justin transfer ownership to the estate.
“I’m asking Justin to either write me a check for what was put down for the property, plus the increase in its value, which now probably amounts to about a quarter of a million dollars,” LaVergne stated. “Or he can title the property to me and let me figure out what to do with the property.”
This is the booking mug for O.J. Simpson, taken Friday, June 17, 1994, after he surrendered to authorities at his Brentwood estate in Los Angeles. Simpson was charged with two counts of murder in connection with the June 12, 1994 slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole, and acquaintance Ronald Goldman. (AP Photo/Los Angeles Police Department)
This legal action highlights the continuing complexities of Simpson’s financial and legal entanglements long after his acquittal.
O.J. Simpson’s story is a reflection of both the dark side of celebrity culture and the contentious nature of the American justice system. As a former NFL star, Simpson was initially celebrated for his athletic prowess, gaining recognition as one of the greatest running backs in football history.
However, his life took a dramatic turn when he became the defendant in a murder trial that captivated the world.
Simpson’s trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1994 became a media frenzy, with the nation divided over whether he was guilty or innocent. His acquittal in 1995 sparked widespread debate over the fairness of the trial and the influence of race, wealth, and celebrity in the legal process.
The televised trial, often referred to as “The Trial of the Century,” was watched by millions and played a significant role in shaping the media landscape in the U.S.
The trial’s outcome also had a lasting impact on public perceptions of Simpson, and his name became synonymous with both the complexities of the American legal system and the deep divisions within society. Despite his acquittal, Simpson was found liable for the deaths in a civil court, highlighting the distinction between criminal and civil law.
Looking forward, the story of O.J. Simpson serves as both a cautionary tale and a lens through which we examine the intersection of celebrity, justice, and public opinion.
As the case continues to influence discussions on race, fame, and the criminal justice system, Simpson’s legacy remains a reminder of the enduring complexities of American legal history.
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The joke about Simpson’s past during SNL’s 50th Anniversary Special shows how, decades later, his story remains an indelible part of the public discourse. While Simpson’s health declined in his final years, his cultural footprint is unlikely to fade any time soon.
Whether through legal battles, media portrayals, or moments of humor like the SNL sketch, his name will likely continue to provoke debate for years to come.