John Amos, the Emmy-nominated actor and pioneering television star who brought to life some of the most beloved characters in entertainment history, has died. He was 84. His son, K.C. Amos, confirmed in a statement that Amos passed away more than a month ago, on August 21, in Los Angeles of natural causes. The younger Amos didn’t say why he kept his father’s death under wraps for more than a month.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” K.C. said. “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.”
Amos’ acting career spanned over five decades, with his most iconic role being that of James Evans Sr., the no-nonsense, hard-working father on the groundbreaking CBS sitcom Good Times (1974–1979). The show, which was the first sitcom to center on an African American family, became a cultural touchstone, and Amos’ portrayal of James Evans Sr. made him a symbol of strength and dignity for countless viewers.
However, his time on the series was cut short after three seasons due to creative differences with the show’s producers. Amos famously clashed with the show’s direction, objecting to what he saw as the stereotypical portrayal of his on-screen son, J.J., played by Jimmie Walker.
“We had a number of differences,” Amos recalled in later interviews, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “I felt too much emphasis was being put on J.J. in his chicken hat, saying ‘Dy-no-mite!’ every third page.” Amos’ insistence on portraying a more balanced, positive image of the Black family on television led to his departure from the show in 1976, when his character was written out in a dramatic two-part episode.
Publicity photo from ”Good Times.” Pictured are John Amos (James) and Esther Rolle (Florida). (Wikimedia Commons)
Born John Allen Amos Jr. on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos began his professional life with dreams of playing football. He played the sport at Colorado State University and had brief stints with teams like the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. But after a series of injuries and cutbacks, Amos transitioned to entertainment, beginning his career as a writer and performer.
Amos got his first major acting break as Gordy Howard, the good-natured weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, appearing on the iconic series from 1970 to 1973. He would go on to write and perform sketches on The Leslie Uggams Show and later landed roles in various television series and films.
In 1977, Amos received an Emmy nomination for his powerful portrayal of the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark ABC miniseries Roots, a role that solidified his status as one of television’s most respected actors. Amos’ performance in Roots, one of the most watched and culturally significant TV events of all time, remains one of his most enduring achievements.
In addition to his success on television, Amos made his mark in films. He appeared in Melvin Van Peebles’ groundbreaking blaxploitation film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971) and The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973). He was widely recognized for his role in Coming to America (1988), where he played Cleo McDowell, the owner of McDowell’s, a fast-food restaurant parody of McDonald’s. Amos reprised the role over three decades later in Coming to America 2 (2021).
His filmography also includes the Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby classic Let’s Do It Again (1975), The Beastmaster (1982), Die Hard 2 (1990), Ricochet (1991), Mac (1992), For Better or Worse (1995), The Players Club (1998), Night Trap (1993), and Because of Charley (2021).
Amos was also a familiar face on television throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, with recurring roles in shows like The West Wing as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Will Smith’s stepfather. He appeared in The District, Men in Trees, All About the Andersons (as Anthony Anderson’s father), and the Netflix series The Ranch.
Beyond acting, Amos had a passion for writing and performing in theater. In the 1990s, when he found it challenging to secure roles in Hollywood, he wrote and starred in the one-person play Halley’s Comet, about an 87-year-old man waiting in the woods for the comet’s arrival. He toured with the production for over 20 years, performing in cities across the United States and abroad.
In addition to his onscreen and stage accomplishments, Amos co-produced the documentary America’s Dad, which explored his life and career. He was also involved in Broadway, appearing in Carl Reiner’s Tough to Get Help production in 1972.
John Amos’ life and career were not without personal challenges. In recent years, he was embroiled in a public legal battle between his children, K.C. and Shannon, over accusations of elder abuse. This unfortunate chapter cast a shadow over his later years. However, his legacy as a beloved television father and one of Hollywood’s pioneering Black actors remains untarnished.
Both K.C. and Shannon, children from his first marriage to artist Noel “Noni” Mickelson and his ex-wife, actress Lillian Lehman, survive Amos.
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