"John Amos, Beloved Star of 'Good Times' and 'Roots,' Passes Away at 84"

 "John Amos, Beloved Star of 'Good Times' and 'Roots,' Passes Away at 84"

John Amos, the iconic star of "Good Times," "Roots," and many other beloved productions, passed away on August 21 in Los Angeles from natural causes, his representative confirmed to Variety. He was 84.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share the news that my father has transitioned,” said his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart, a heart of gold, and was loved worldwide. Many fans saw him as their TV father. He lived a good life, and his legacy will live on through his outstanding work in television and film. My father loved being an actor throughout his life, most recently appearing as himself in ‘Suits LA’ and in our documentary about his journey, ‘America’s Dad.’ He was my father, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support during this time.”

Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, N.J., Amos’ career began to gain momentum when he took on the role of weatherman Gordon “Gordy” Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in 1970. From there, he showcased his comedic talent on CBS’ “Good Times,” where he portrayed the hardworking and devoted father James Evans Sr. The Norman Lear show, a spinoff of “Maude” and “All in the Family,” became groundbreaking as the first television series to focus on an African American two-parent household. After three seasons, Amos expressed frustration with the show’s direction and its portrayal of his character’s son, J.J., leading to his departure. His character, James Evans Sr., was written off in the fourth season.

In 1977, Amos earned an Emmy nomination for his powerful portrayal of the adult Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking ABC miniseries "Roots." The series, which explored the history of slavery in the United States, became a cultural phenomenon, winning nine Emmys, a Golden Globe, and a Peabody Award. Over 130 million people tuned in, making it one of the most-watched series in television history. Its final episode remains the third-highest-rated episode of any TV series and the second-most-watched series finale ever.

Throughout his career, Amos appeared in numerous television shows, including “About the Andersons,” “The West Wing,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “The Ranch.” His final television role will be in the upcoming series “Suits LA.” On the big screen, he starred in films like Eddie Murphy's “Coming to America” and its 2021 sequel “Coming 2 America,” as well as “Die Hard 2,” “The Beastmaster,” “Lock Up,” and “Me Tyme.” He and his son co-produced a documentary about his life titled “America’s Dad.”

“We are so proud to have represented John,” said Julia Buchwald, president of Buchwald. “He was not only a remarkable talent but also a deeply kind and generous soul. His impact on the industry and those who knew him will never be forgotten.”

In addition to his film and TV work, Amos wrote, produced, and starred in the one-man play “Halley’s Comet” and performed on Broadway in August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean.” Before pursuing acting, Amos played college football at Colorado State University and even joined the Kansas City Chiefs for the 1967 NFL offseason.