John Amos – a legendary star of the big and small screens – has sadly died at the age of 84.
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Per The Hollywood Reporter, the news was confirmed by Amos’ son, K.C. Amos.
In a statement, the actor’s son said: “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.”
His son also confirmed that Amos died on August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes.
Amos is perhaps best known for his role as James Evans Sr. on the groundbreaking TV series Good Times from 1974 to 1976.
His character was a firm yet loving father figure, resonating with audiences and becoming a cultural icon – fondly remembered to this day.
His departure from Good Times made national news, as he was fired due to creative differences with the show’s producers, who he felt were not adequately portraying African-American families.
He later admitted in an interview with PBS that he was felt a strong “responsibility” with the fact he was “a Black actor portraying the first black father on TV with a complete family”.
According to Amos, his creative differences with the Good Times producers led to him being labeled a “disruptive factor”, per The LA Times, and getting fired from the show.
Recalling the phone call he received from Norman Lear about his firing, Amos told the Television Academy: “I didn’t curse or anything. I just hung up the phone.
“And he didn’t call me back to see if I might have anything else to say. I never heard from him again for months and months and months.”
He later revealed: “As I look back on it, it was a wonderful experience from a standpoint that I got to show America what a black father feels.”
Nevertheless, Amos’ talent meant that he wasn’t held down for long, and Amos went on to star as the adult Kunta Kinte in the seminal mini-series Roots in 1977. His powerful performance brought him critical acclaim and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
On the big screens, fans will no doubt fondly remember his role in the hit comedy film Coming to America as Cleo McDowell, a role that perfectly showcased his comedic abilities.
He would reprise the role in the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America.
Other notable television roles include Captain Dolan in Hunter, Fred Wilkes in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Admiral Percy Fitzwallace in The West Wing.
Despite landing his first television acting role back in 1970, Amos remained active in the entertainment industry, participating in various television and movie projects.
In the last 20 years, he’s appeared on hit US television shows such as My Name Is Earl, Two And A Half Men, The Ranch, Ballers, and The Righteous Gemstones
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos attended Colorado State University, where he majored in sociology and played on the football team.
His athletic prowess on the football field would see him play for the Norfolk Neptunes and Wheeling Ironmen in the Continental Football League in 1965. The following year, he joined the Jersey City Jets and Waterbury Orbits in the Atlantic Coast Football League.
In 1967, John Amos signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. Coach Hank Stram critiqued him by saying, “You’re not a football player, you’re a man who is trying to play football.”
Our thoughts go out to Amos’ family, friends, and fans at this time.