news

‘Good Times’ actor from ‘Coming to America’ was 84

Vaseline October 1, 2024

John Amos, the Emmy-nominated actor known for his roles in “Roots,” “Good Times” and more, has died. He was 84.

Amos, who starred as the older version of Kunta Kinte in the critically acclaimed miniseries ‘Roots’ and James Evans Sr. in the classic sitcom “Good Times,” died on Aug. 21 in Los Angeles of “natural causes,” a rep for the actor confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you the passing of my father,” said a statement from his son, Kelly Christopher Amos. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved all over the world.”

“Many fans consider him their TV dad. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works on television and film as an actor. My father loved working as an actor all his life… most recently in ‘ Fits in with LA’ playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, ‘America’s Dad.’ He was my father, my best friend and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support during this time.”

John Amos films and TV shows also include ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’, ‘West Wing’

A native of Newark, New Jersey, Amos’s first major role came in 1970, when he began playing weatherman Gordy Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Not long after, he played perhaps the defining role of his career as patriarch James Evans Sr. to star in “Good Times,” Norman Lear’s groundbreaking sitcom that ran from 1974 to 1979 and was a spinoff of “Maude.”

Viola Davis and Tiffany Haddish headline ‘Good Times’ cast in Jimmy Kimmel-Norman Lear special

Amos showed his dramatic qualities in 1977 by playing Kunta Kinte in the historical miniseries ‘Roots’. The role earned him an Emmy nomination.

Over the course of his five-decade career, Amos has made dozens of other appearances, from Major Grant in “Die Hard 2” to Cleo McDowell in the Eddie Murphy comedy “Coming to America.” He reprized the latter character in the 2021 sequel, ‘Coming 2 America’.

He changed television forever. Why we all owe it to the genius of Norman Lear.

Amos also had a memorable role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on “The West Wing” and in recent years has appeared in shows like “Two and a Half Men,” “The Ranch” and “The Righteous Gemstones.” It was reported that he had joined the cast of the “Suits” spin-off “Suits LA” earlier this year. According to an obituary from a representative, he played himself on the show for the first time in his career.

Amos served in the New Jersey State National Guard and had a background in sports in addition to acting, having played briefly for the Kansas City Chiefs and for Colorado State University.