Robert Kardashian Explained

Robert Kardashian
Birth Name:Robert George Kardashian
Birth Date:22 February 1944
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Death Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting Place:Inglewood Park Cemetery, California
Alma Mater:
Family:Kardashian
Known For:O. J. Simpson murder case

Robert George Kardashian (February 22, 1944 – September 30, 2003) was an American attorney and businessman. He gained recognition as O. J. Simpson's friend and defense attorney during Simpson's 1995 murder trial. He had four children with his first wife, Kris Kardashian: Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob, who appear on their family reality television series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and its spinoffs.

Early life and education

Kardashian was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 22, 1944, one of three children born to Arthur Kardashian (1917–2012) and Helen Jean Arakelian Kardashian (1917–2008), both Armenian Americans.[1] He had a sister, Barbara Kardashian Freeman, and a brother, Thomas "Tom" Kardashian.[2] [3] The Kardashians were Armenian Spiritual Christians originally from Kars Oblast, and known by the surname Kardaschoff, a Russianized form of the Armenian surname Kardashian, as the area, though now part of modern-day Turkey, was then part of the Russian Empire.[4] Once in the United States, Arthur's father, Tatos, changed his name to Thomas, and began a career in garbage collection, founding his own business, and married Hamas Shakarian, also an immigrant of Armenian heritage.[5] [6]

He grew up in the affluent View Park area of Los Angeles County, where the family lived at 4908 Valley Ridge Avenue.[7] Kardashian attended Susan Miller Dorsey High School and the University of Southern California, from which he graduated in 1966 with a B.S. degree in business administration.[8] He earned a J.D. degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and practiced for about a decade; after that, he went into business. In 1973, Kardashian was one of the co-founders of the trade publication Radio & Records, which he and his partners sold for a large profit in 1979.[8] Kardashian also pioneered the idea of playing music between movies in theaters. He subsequently parlayed the concept into a business, starting a company called Movie Tunes.[9] [10] [11] [12] He served as president and CEO of the firm and later invested in Juice Inc., a frozen yogurt company, and in a music video business called Concert Cinema.[13] [14]

O. J. Simpson case

See main article: O. J. Simpson murder case.

Kardashian and Simpson first met around 1967 while both of them were at USC and became close friends.[15] Simpson was the best man at Kardashian and Kris Houghton's wedding in 1978.

Following the June 12, 1994, murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, Simpson stayed in Kardashian's house to avoid the media. Kardashian was the man seen carrying Simpson's garment bag the day that Simpson flew back from Chicago. Prosecutors speculated that the bag may have contained Simpson's bloody clothes or the murder weapon.[16] When Simpson failed to turn himself in at 11 a.m. on June 17, 1994, Kardashian read a letter by Simpson to the assembled media. This letter was interpreted by many as a suicide note.[17]

Simpson was charged with the murders and subsequently acquitted of all criminal charges in a controversial criminal trial. Kardashian had let his license to practice law become inactive before the Simpson case but reactivated it to aid in Simpson's defense as a volunteer assistant on his legal team, alongside Simpson's main defense attorneys, Robert Shapiro and Johnnie Cochran. As one of Simpson's lawyers and a member of the defense "Dream Team", Kardashian could not be compelled or subpoenaed to testify against Simpson in the case, which included Simpson's past history and behavior with his ex-wife Nicole, and as to the contents of Simpson's garment bag.[18] He sat by Simpson throughout the trial.[19]

The New York Times reported that Kardashian said in a 1996 ABC interview with Barbara Walters that he had begun to question Simpson's innocence: "I have doubts. The blood evidence is the biggest thorn in my side; that causes me the greatest problems. So I struggle with the blood evidence."[18] After Simpson's acquittal, Kardashian and Simpson ultimately stopped speaking to each other.

Illness and death

Kardashian was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in July 2003. He died two months later, on September 30, 2003, at his home in Encino, Los Angeles, at age 59,[20] [21] and was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.[22]

In popular culture

Kardashian was portrayed by David Schwimmer in the 2016 FX miniseries . Schwimmer was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his performance, but lost to Sterling K. Brown, who portrayed Christopher Darden in the same series. In 2016, ESPN Films and their 30 for 30 series produced a five-part miniseries called , produced by Ezra Edelman, in which Kardashian was featured heavily through archive footage.

In 2017, Kardashian was the subject of the pilot episode of the TV comedy series Over My Dead Body on Amazon Prime.[23]

Personal life

Kardashian dated Priscilla Presley from 1975 to 1976.[24] [25] The pair met through Kardashian's sister-in-law Joan, who had previously been married to Joe Esposito, road manager for Elvis.[26] [27] On an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, his daughter Kim stated that the two were briefly engaged.

Kardashian had four children with his first wife, Kris Kardashian (née Houghton, later Jenner): Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob.[28]

Shortly after separating from his first wife in 1991, Kardashian became engaged to Denice Shakarian Halicki, his third cousin and the widow of movie producer H.B. Halicki.[29] [30] [31] The couple never married. In 1998, Kardashian married Jan Ashley; however, the marriage ended in annulment in 1999.[32] Ashley later claimed frequent upset and turmoil related to Kardashian's ex-wife, Kris, and their children "were instrumental" in the demise of the relationship.[33] [34] [35] After dating for three years and proposing in 2001, Kardashian married his third wife, Ellen Pierson (née Markowitz), six weeks prior to his death.[36] [19]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Robert George Kardashian. October 26, 2020. FamilySearch.
  2. News: Obituaries . The Desert Sun . May 28, 2008 . July 7, 2017 . July 25, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120725051321/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mydesert/access/1710230631.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+28%2C+2008&author=&pub=The+Desert+Sun&desc=Obituaries&pqatl=google . dead .
  3. Web site: Helen Kardashian - Kim Kardashian: Official website . Kimkardashian.com . May 14, 2015 . May 18, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150518081613/http://kimkardashian.com/?s=Helen%20Kardashian . live.
  4. Web site: Conovaloff. Andrei. Taxonomy of 3 Spiritual Christian groups: Molokane, Pryguny and Dukh-i-zhizniki — books, fellowship, holidays, prophets and songs.. Spiritual Christian Around the World. December 27, 2016. January 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170116013315/http://www.molokane.org/taxonomy/. live.
  5. Web site: John Collins . The “Full Gospel” Origins of Peoples Temple . jonestown.sdsu.edu . July 10, 2024.
  6. Web site: Ian Halperin . Kardashian Dynasty: The Controversial Rise of America's Royal Family . Gallery Books . 2016 . 9781501128882 . 3 . July 10, 2024.
  7. Web site: Los Angeles Street Address Directory "Arthur Kardashian" and "Barbara Kardashian" . registration . . May 1956 . 753 . Los Angeles Public Library . August 28, 2020 . March 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230307014756/https://rescarta.lapl.org/ResCarta-Web/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=026bc4f2-52f9-4cbf-b1e4-12291b1cd6d0%2fLPU00000%2fLL000001%2f00000001 . live .
  8. Beth Shuster, "Kardashian-Simpson Bond Stands Test of Time, Trouble", Los Angeles Times, July 6, 1994.
  9. Web site: Who Was Robert Kardashian, Sr.? . Wetpaint . February 22, 2016 . February 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200201050203/http://wetpaint.com/who-was-robert-kardashian-sr-698031/ . live .
  10. News: The People v OJ Simpson: Who was Robert Kardashian? (Aside from Kim's dad) . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/02/03/who-was-robert-kardashian-aside-from-kims-dad/ . January 11, 2022 . subscription . live . The Telegraph . February 3, 2016 . February 22, 2016. Vincent . Alice .
  11. News: Robert Kardashian, a Lawyer For O. J. Simpson, Dies at 59 . The New York Times . October 3, 2003 . February 22, 2016 . January 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210104180053/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/03/us/robert-kardashian-a-lawyer-for-o-j-simpson-dies-at-59.html . live .
  12. Web site: 50 Things You Probably Didn't Know about Kim Kardashian . Boomsbeat . February 22, 2016 . October 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231012020826/https://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/156/20140129/50-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-kim-kardashian.htm . live .
  13. Web site: The Kardashians' bizarre involvements with O.J.'s trial . February 8, 2016 . Looper . February 22, 2016 . September 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220925020952/https://www.looper.com/9695/kardashians-bizarre-involvements-o-j-trial/ . live .
  14. Web site: Robert Kardashian – friend and lawyer of O.J. Simpson . Los Angeles Times . October 2, 2003 . February 22, 2016 . Eric Malnic . December 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221204173305/https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Robert-Kardashian-friend-and-lawyer-of-O-J-2584542.php . live .
  15. Web site: Chang. Rachel. A History of O.J. Simpson's Relationship with the Kardashian Family. July 20, 2020. Biography. June 16, 2020. en-us. January 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117003447/https://www.biography.com/news/oj-simpson-kardashians-relationship. live.
  16. News: O.J. Simpson trial: Testimony about Simpson's trip to Chicago . October 11, 2007 . CNN . October 17, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120305023838/http://articles.cnn.com/2007-12-11/us/court.archive.simpson4_1_brian-kato-kaelin-rachel-ferrara-district-attorney-marcia-clark/2?_s=PM%3AUS . March 5, 2012 .
  17. Web site: Lowry . Brian . From the couch: O.J.'s legacy continues . Fox Sports . November 22, 2010 . June 21, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100715211708/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/OJ-Simspons-wild-ride-continues-says-Brian-Lowry . July 15, 2010 .
  18. News: Robert Kardashian, a Lawyer For O. J. Simpson, Dies at 59. The New York Times. November 22, 2010. October 3, 2003. April 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407233555/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/03/us/robert-kardashian-a-lawyer-for-o-j-simpson-dies-at-59.html?scp=1&sq=robert%20kardashian%20died&st=cse. live.
  19. News: Reed. Christopher. Obituary: Robert Kardashian. The Guardian. November 22, 2010. October 6, 2003. London. July 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180710112053/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/oct/06/guardianobituaries.usa. live.
  20. News: O.J. Simpson lawyer, Kardashian, dies. CNN. November 22, 2010. October 1, 2003. August 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140815104054/http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/10/01/OJattorney.dead/. live.
  21. Web site: Malnic. Eric. 2003-10-02. Robert Kardashian, 59; Served on O.J. Simpson's Defense Team. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200711044858/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-oct-02-me-kardashian2-story.html. 2020-07-11. 2021-10-03. Los Angeles Times. en-US.
  22. News: Gnerre . Sam . The Inglewood Park Cemetery predates the city's incorporation . . July 26, 2014 . April 18, 2016 . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401083850/http://blogs.dailybreeze.com/history/2014/07/26/the-inglewood-park-cemetery-predates-the-citys-incorporation/ . live .
  23. Web site: Over My Dead Body. July 20, 2020. amazon.com. March 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210308152645/https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B078WYJHJ9/ref=atv_un_2cr_c_OcGi58_brws_2_1. live.
  24. Web site: The Kardashians have two connections to Elvis Presley. Fox News. April 3, 2016. June 3, 2024. August 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230801010755/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/the-kardashians-have-two-connections-to-elvis-presley. live.
  25. Web site: Robert Kardashian Was in Love With Priscilla Presley Before Elvis Split Them Up, Book Claims. Inside Edition. September 19, 2017. June 3, 2024. September 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230921122529/https://www.insideedition.com/25589-robert-kardashian-was-in-love-with-priscilla-presley-before-elvis-split-them-up-book-claims. live.
  26. Book: Finstad, Suzanne. Child Bride: The Untold Story of Priscilla Beaulieu Presley. 321. Crown Publishing Group. January 25, 1997 . 9780517705858.
  27. Web site: Thompson . Eliza . Priscilla Presley's Dating History: From Elvis Presley to Robert Kardashian and Nigel Lythgoe . usmagazine.com . January 16, 2023 . 9 June 2023 . May 31, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240531111737/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/priscilla-presleys-dating-history-elvis-presley-more/ . live .
  28. News: Photo of Robert Kardashian with his children . What's Good? Online . April 4, 2016 . July 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180713171535/http://www.whatsgoodonline.co.uk/rare-photos-of-kim-kardashian-west-before-she-was-famous . live .
  29. [Dominick Dunne]
  30. Mike Fleeman, "Stand By Your Man", Los Angeles, October 1996.
  31. Web site: July 26, 2017. Robert Kardashian Engaged To Third Cousin Denice Halicki. October 15, 2020. RadarOnline. en-US. December 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221204173311/https://radaronline.com/videos/robert-kardashian-engaged-denice-halicki-third-cousin-incest/. live.
  32. News: Court Documents Prove Khloe Is A Kardashian, Kris Jenner Calls Allegations 'Crap' (VIDEO) . The Huffington Post . January 12, 2012 . October 9, 2023 . September 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220925145655/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/court-documents-prove-khloe-is-a-kardashian_n_1202365 . live .
  33. News: Stand By Your Man . Los Angeles Magazine . Oct 1996 . April 10, 2016.
  34. News: Bruce Jenner Might have Called it Quits with Kris Jenner Because of her Children: Report . . Keerthi . Mohan . October 9, 2014 . April 19, 2015 . December 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221204173305/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/bruce-jenner-might-have-called-it-quits-kris-jenner-because-her-children-report-610889 . live .
  35. Web site: Declaration of Robert Kardashian . April 19, 2015 . TMZ . March 29, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170329141330/http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/0112_robert_kardashian_TMZ.pdf . dead .
  36. Web site: Who is Robert Kardashian's Widow, Ellen Pierson Kardashian? . Wetpaint . June 10, 2013 . April 10, 2016 . Amber Garrett . July 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200706230437/http://wetpaint.com/who-is-robert-kardashians-widow-ellen-pierson-kardashian-761749/ . live .

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