John Amos, renowned for his iconic roles in productions such as “Roots,” “Good Times,” and “The West Wing,” passed away last month at the age of 84. His family announced on Tuesday that he died from natural causes in Los Angeles on August 21.
Amos’s publicist released a statement highlighting his impressive career, which spanned over five decades and left a significant impact on both television and film, particularly through his commitment to positive representation of African Americans in media.
In a heartfelt tribute, Kelly Christopher Amos referred to his father as “my dad, my best friend, and my hero,” expressing deep sadness over his passing. He described Amos as a man with a “kindest heart” who was adored by many, noting that countless fans considered him their television father. Amos’s legacy is expected to endure through his remarkable body of work.
Before embarking on his acting career, Amos played college football at Colorado State University and briefly with the Kansas City Chiefs. His acting journey took off in 1970 with a role as Gordy the weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” However, his portrayal of the stoic father James Evans on “Good Times,” starting in 1974, solidified his status as one of the great sitcom dads.
Amos starred in 61 episodes of the influential Norman Lear comedy, which depicted the struggles of a working-class family in a Chicago housing project. He later gained recognition for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark 1977 miniseries “Roots,” sharing the screen with notable Black actors such as Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton, Louis Gossett Jr., and Leslie Uggams.
Film audiences may remember him as Cleo McDowell, the fast-food restaurant owner in the 1988 classic “Coming to America,” or as the antagonist in the 1990 action film “Die Hard 2.” His television career experienced a resurgence in 1999 when he joined the acclaimed series “The West Wing,” where he portrayed Adm. Percy “Fitz” Fitzwallace for five seasons.
His son mentioned that Amos loved acting throughout his life, most recently appearing as himself in “Suits LA” and participating in a documentary about his life journey titled “America’s Dad.”