If you grew up in the 80s, you knew A.J. Simon. He was the buttoned-up, Ivy League half of the detective duo on Simon & Simon, usually seen sporting a blazer while his brother Rick (Gerald McRaney) rocked a trucker hat and a "don't care" attitude. The show was a titan, running for eight seasons and cementing Jameson Parker as a household name. But then, the cameras stopped rolling. Hollywood got quiet.
Jameson Parker where is he now? Honestly, the answer isn't a comeback tour or a reality TV stint. It’s a story about a man who survived a literal attempt on his life, walked away from the glitter of Tinseltown, and found himself in the dirt of a California ranch.
The Night That Changed Everything
In 1992, Jameson Parker was nearly killed. It wasn’t a stunt gone wrong or a high-speed chase. It was a neighbor. After a verbal dispute involving Parker’s wife, Darleen Carr, the neighbor pulled a gun and shot Parker twice—once in the arm and once in the chest.
He survived, but you don't just "get over" that. The physical wounds healed, yet the psychological ones were a different beast entirely. Parker has been candid about the trauma. In his memoir, An Accidental Cowboy, he describes the aftermath as a period of profound confusion and a desperate need for a change of scenery. He didn't just want a new job; he wanted a new life.
From Soundstages to Stables
By the late 90s, Parker had basically vanished from the acting world. His last few credits were guest spots on shows like JAG and Walker, Texas Ranger, but his heart was clearly elsewhere. He and Darleen moved to a ranch in the mountains of California.
Living on a ranch isn't the romantic "movie version" you see on Yellowstone. It’s hard, grueling, and often unglamorous. Parker spent years raising horses and dogs, embracing a life defined by the seasons rather than Nielsen ratings.
✨ Don't miss: Joan Van Ark Pics: Why the Knots Landing Icon Still Captures Our Attention
Interestingly, he didn't stop being creative. He just swapped scripts for prose. Over the last two decades, Parker has carved out a serious career as a writer. We’re not talking about ghostwritten celebrity fluff. He writes for hardcore outdoor publications like Sporting Classics and Texas Sporting Journal.
His Published Works Include:
- An Accidental Cowboy (2003): The definitive account of his transition from actor to rancher.
- To Absent Friends (2003): A deeply moving collection of stories about the dogs he has lost.
- Dancing with the Dead (2016): A dive into more literary, reflective territory.
Where He Is in 2026
As of early 2026, Jameson Parker is 78 years old. He’s still living that quiet life, though the physical toll of ranching has forced some changes. A few years back, he suffered a significant "horse wreck" that led to major spinal surgery. In his own blog posts, he’s admitted he can’t ride the way he used to.
But he hasn't stopped. He’s still a regular columnist. Just recently, in late 2025, he was writing about the history of outdoor icons like Eddie Bauer and Coleman. He lives on a small ranch with his wife, Darleen, and a rotating cast of rescue animals.
It’s worth noting that there is another "Jameson Parker" in the industry—a younger producer and CEO of Lighthouse Pictures in Vancouver. If you see headlines about a Jameson Parker running a film studio or winning indie film awards in 2026, that’s the younger guy. Our A.J. Simon is quite happy being the "Accidental Cowboy" in the California hills.
Why He Still Matters
Parker’s trajectory is a rare one. Most actors cling to the spotlight until it burns out. He chose to walk away because he realized that the person he was playing on screen wasn't the person he wanted to be in real life.
He and Gerald McRaney remain close friends—the "brotherly" bond was real. They’ve even gone on hunting trips together in recent years, proving that some Hollywood connections actually have soul.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Read his books: If you want to understand the man behind the A.J. Simon persona, An Accidental Cowboy is essential. It’s gritty, honest, and surprisingly well-written.
- Follow his columns: He still writes for Sporting Classics Daily. It's the best way to keep up with his current thoughts on nature and life.
- Avoid the confusion: Remember that the "CEO Jameson Parker" is a different person. Our Jameson is the one with the rescue dogs and the vintage firearms.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, it’s this: Jameson Parker found peace by leaving the one place everyone else is trying to get into. He’s a reminder that you can always start a second act, even if the first one was a hit.