“Good Times” dad and “Roots” star, dead at 84

John Amos, the prolific TV actor known for his roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Good Times, The West Wing and Roots, has died at 84. According to a statement from his family, the actor died of natural causes in his home in Los Angeles on August 21, though the news was not disclosed until today.

 


“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” his son Kelly Christopher Amos said in a statement, per Deadline. “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.

Born December 27, 1939 in Newark, New Jersey. Before becoming an actor, he had a notable career as a football player, playing in the Continental Football League and the Atlantic Coast Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos in 1964, but was cut before the season began due to an injury.

He had better luck as an actor: his breakout role was playing weatherman Gordy Howard on the beloved sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a role he played from 1970 to 1973.

Amos was best known for playing patriarch James Evans on the classic sitcom Good Times. Though he was only 34 when he was cast, he convincingly played a hardworking father of three, leading his family in a low-income housing project.


The show was praised for its depiction of serious issues including poverty and racism. But as the series went on, Amos clashed with the show’s writers and producers about how accurately the series depicted Black families, and disagreed with the direction it took towards broader comedy. Amos was dismissed from the show after season 3, and his character was killed off in a car accident.

But Amos soon landed another iconic role, in another landmark work of Black television, playing the adult Kunta Kinte on the miniseries Roots. Amos earned an Emmy nomination for his performance.

Amos is also remembered for his recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the White House drama The West Wing. He also had recurring roles on Two and a Half Men and The Ranch.

His notable films include Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, Die Hard 2, Coming to America and its sequel.


“He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor,” his son wrote in his statement. “My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life.”

“He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”

Related Posts

Entitled Mom Ruined My Daughter’s Birthday — Then Demanded I Apologize

I thought I had planned the perfect 13th birthday for my daughter, Lily—sparkling decorations, her favorite cake, and a backyard full of excited friends. Everything was going…

SPECIAL MIRACLE: 3 Missing Texas Girls Found Alive in a Hollow Tree 1 Mile From Camp — They Survived Nearly 10 Days Thanks to These 2 Things…

In a moment being hailed as one of the most extraordinary survival stories in U.S. history, three of the 27 girls missing after the Texas flood disaster…

FBI Director Vows Unwavering Effort to Bring Home American Hostages

Speaking at a ceremony honoring hostages and their families, the Director of the FBI reaffirmed the agency’s deep commitment to securing the safe return of American citizens…

Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare): A Wild Plant with Surprising Benefits

pesky weed, is a powerhouse of health benefits waiting to be tapped into. This hardy plant, with its spiky stems and vibrant purple flowers, offers surprising medicinal…

Full-Time Security

The FBI is implementing enhanced security measures for its Deputy Director, Dan Bongino, assigning a rotating team of up to 20 agents to provide 24/7 protection. The…

11 Family Secrets That Read Like Hollywood Stories — But They’re All Too Real

Families are full of love, laughter, and lessons learned, but there are also dark sides to many front doors. There are times when those shadows conceal tales…