John Amos, renowned for his roles in “Good Times,” “Roots,” and other iconic television shows, passed away on August 21 in Los Angeles due to natural causes, as confirmed by his representative. He was 84 years old.
His son, Kelly Christopher Amos, expressed profound sadness in a statement, saying, “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned. He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor. My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life…. most recently in ‘Suits LA’ playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, ‘America’s Dad.’ He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos’s acting career gained momentum when he portrayed weatherman Gordon “Gordy” Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in 1970.
He then showcased his comedic talent on CBS’s “Good Times,” a spinoff of “Maude” and “All in the Family,” where he played the role of James Evans Sr., a devoted father, beginning in 1974. This groundbreaking Norman Lear series became the first to depict an African American, two-parent family. However, after three seasons, Amos expressed dissatisfaction with the show’s direction and the characterization of his on-screen son, James “J.J.” Evans Jr., leading to his departure from the series. James Evans Sr. was subsequently killed off in Season 4.
Amos earned an Emmy nomination in 1977 for his portrayal of adult Kunta Kinte in the historic miniseries “Roots,” which focused on the legacy of slavery in America. The acclaimed series won nine Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a Peabody Award, and achieved historic viewership, drawing over 130 million viewers—more than half of the U.S. population at the time. The final episode remains one of the most-watched in television history.
In addition to his famous roles, Amos appeared in numerous other shows, including “About the Andersons,” “The West Wing,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “The Ranch.” He is set to appear in his final television role in the upcoming series “Suits LA.” His film career included notable appearances in Eddie Murphy’s “Coming to America” and its sequel “Coming 2 America,” as well as films like “Die Hard 2,” “The Beastmaster,” “Lock Up,” and “Me Tyme.” He and his son also worked on the documentary “America’s Dad,” which chronicles his life.
Julia Buchwald, president of Buchwald, remarked, “We are so proud to have represented John. He was not only a remarkable talent but also a deeply kind and generous soul. His impact on the industry and those who knew him will never be forgotten.”
Beyond television and film, Amos was involved in theater, having written, produced, and starred in a one-man play titled “Halley’s Comet,” and he appeared on Broadway in August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean.” Before his acting career, he played college football at Colorado State University and had a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1967 NFL offseason.