John Amos, the talented actor and former TV writer known for his role as the stoic father James Evans on the groundbreaking sitcom Good Times, has passed away at the age of 84. His son, K.C. Amos, confirmed that Amos died of natural causes on August 21 in Los Angeles.
In a heartfelt statement, K.C. expressed his sorrow, describing his father as a man with a “kindest heart” who was loved worldwide. He noted that many fans regarded Amos as their TV father and emphasized that his legacy would continue through his impressive body of work in television and film.
Amos’s career in entertainment began after he played football at Colorado State University and participated in training camps with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. His breakthrough came when he took on the role of Gordy Howard, a weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
The Newark, New Jersey native was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Toby, the older version of Kunta Kinte in the acclaimed miniseries Roots in 1977. He also had a prominent role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on NBC’s West Wing.
Amos made his film debut in the blaxploitation classic Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song in 1971 and later played a memorable character in Coming to America alongside Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.
Before his acting fame, Amos appeared in a well-known McDonald’s commercial in the 1970s, which he noted helped support his children’s education. His role as James Evans Sr. on Good Times, which aired from 1974 to 1979, was significant for its portrayal of an African-American family and tackled various societal issues.
Despite initially enjoying the role, Amos became frustrated with the show’s depiction of stereotypes, particularly relating to his eldest son, J.J. His public criticisms led to his character’s demise in a car accident during the show’s fourth season.
Amos was born on December 27, 1939, and raised in a working-class family. He developed an interest in the arts while in high school, where he contributed to the school newspaper and participated in drama productions. Although he initially pursued a football career, he eventually shifted his focus to acting and writing.
After Good Times, Amos faced challenges in finding work but continued to tackle diverse roles in television and film, including series like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, where he played Will Smith’s stepfather, and various guest appearances in popular shows.
His film credits also span a wide range of genres, with roles in movies such as Die Hard 2 and The World’s Greatest Athlete. Throughout the 1990s, when work was scarce, Amos wrote and starred in a one-man play titled Halley’s Comet, which he toured successfully for over two decades.
In his later years, he produced a documentary titled America’s Dad with his son, K.C. Amos. He is survived by his son and daughter, Shannon, as well as a brief marriage to actress Lillian Lehman.