John James Nazarian was born July 9, 1952, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. He moved to California at the age of 16.

John J Nazarian entered the U.S. Navy right after high school for four years, left with an honorable discharge. Upon returning from the Navy Nazarian worked as an apprentice embalmer at several different mortuaries in California; a heavy-equipment operator; owned a lawn business; and made enough money in the jewelry, especially gold, business to semi retired at one time.

While still in high school, in his junior year in 1969 or 1970, Nazarian began his career in law enforcement as a student worker / Sheriff’s Explorer under the tutelage of Sgt. Bob Warford and Deputy Arthur E. Pelino, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, of the old Newhall Station.

In late 70’s and early 80’s Nazarian became a prison guard with the California Department of Corrections. He was assigned to the California Institution for Women in Frontera, California, the home to several members of the Manson family, including Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten. Nazarian was one of five people attending the September 9, 1981, marriage of Atkins.

Shortly after leaving California Department of Corrections in the late 80’s Nazarian went to work for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department as a deputy sheriff. Nazarian worked for the police department for Mendota, California where he worked with juveniles.

Nazarian got his start as a private investigator working for the San Francisco Court system working on court-appointed cases at the nominal rate of just $27 an hour. Nazarian opened his first office in San Francisco with the help of Seymour Jaron. Nazarian credits attorney, Gary Lieberman of San Francisco who suggested Nazarian become a private investigator.

It did not take long for Nazarian to figure out the real money was in Beverly Hills. Following the money John moved his office to Los Angeles. Armand Keosian provided Nazarian a office with a view of a golf course in his Century City, Los Angeles Suite on the Avenue of the Stars which was critical to Nazarian’s success in the early days of his practice. Sorrell Trope, sometimes referred to as the “dean of L.A. divorce lawyers,” stated he only uses Nazarian due to his reliability and honesty, proclaiming of Nazarian, “he’s legitimate.”

The basic retainer fee for Nazarian and his team is said to run between $10,000 and $20,000. Nazarian’s normal rate is purportedly $400 per hour plus expenses.

Nazarian’s firm has handled case work on behalf of a number of high-profile clients, including boxer Oscar de la Hoya, actor Vin Diesel, writer Steven Bochco, television executive Les Moonves, and actress Pauley Perrette in her case with ex-husband, Coyote Shivers whom she was married for three years. She has been granted restraining orders against him since leaving him. Nazarian’s client Andrea Thompson, star of NYPD Blue and 24 was involved in another high profile stalking case. Nazarian was asked to use his San Francisco Police connections to help in the murder case of Gary Murphy.

Nazarian was in high demand during the Anthony Pellicano trial because many consider that Nazarian is the only other high profile P. I. that has become rich and a celebrity in his own right by doing what he does. His insight on the fall from grace of Pellicano; the California Lawyers Magazine felt the case had such significance that the magazine did a full spread on the “Pellicano Affect” and featured Nazarian including a two-page photo spread of Nazarian. Nazarian also appeared in the German Magazine Der Spiegel discussing the guilty plea of John McTiernan a client of Pellicano in which he was photographed by Robert Gallagher as part of the six picture slide show which is part of the article.

Nazarian has been interviewed by numerous publications on high profile cases or clients including Courtney Love and Britney Spears Divorce. Nazarian was interviewed about his views in connection to the deaths of Anna Nicole Smith and her son Daniel Smith. In 2009, Nazarian was asked his take a year after the Tiger Woods scandal on Woods and other high profile athletes who found themselves involved in allegations of cheating on spouses.

In 2004 Nazarian portrayed himself in two episodes of Discovery Channel’s American P.I., in which he walked through his take on both the O.J. Simpson and Son of Sam murder cases. Nazarian also appeared in the movie Fracture as a Private Investigator named Dick.

John J. Nazarian covered the Anthony Pellicano trial in 2008 in the California federal court. He was interview on the NBC Today Show about the death of Michael Jackson investigation, and made numerous appearances in regards to the Ronni Chasen murder.

Nazarian has appeared on the TV Show Extra. In the article name the Pellicano Effect the California Lawyer Magnazine discussed this appearance in regards to Olivia Newton John’s boyfriend’s disappearance. Nazarian was interviewed by Rita Cosby in regards to the Extra investigation about Patrick McDermott. Nazarian was later interviewed by Nancy Grace when McDermott was found.

Nazarian has also been interviewed for the French TV magazine “66 Minutes,” the French version of the CBS television “news magazine,” 60 Minutes.

It just makes sense that the next move for Nazarian is into internet radio.  We hope you enjoy John’s take on this things and his wicked humor and one line zingers.

Staff Writer
©Straight Talk with John J. Nazarian
August 19, 2011
All Rights Reserved, do not reproduce in whole or in part without the express written consent of this site.