We are saddened to report the death of actor John Amos, who became a fixture on our television screens starting in the 1970s as James Evans in “Good Times” and Kunta Kinte in the miniseries made from Alex Haley’s book “Roots.” He was 84. His son, Kelly Christopher Amos, announced his passing. Amos died of natural causes on August 21st at his home in Los Angeles.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, John Alan Amos, Jr. was born December 27, 1939, in Newark, NJ. His father drove a tractor-trailer, and his mother, Annabelle, was a housekeeper who became a nutritionist. However, his mother cleaned the home of the cartoonist who drew the Archie comics, and a live taping at Radio City Music Hall sparked his imagination and interest in the industry. He drew comics and acted at East Orange High School but was also a star running back. So Amos was offered a scholarship to Long Beach City College in Southern California and later went to Colorado State University.
“God kept telling me, ‘I don’t want you playing football,” he said. “The direction I was getting from above was to be a performer, to be a writer, something that I had always done and came easy for me.”
Still, Amos did try to play pro football. He tried out with a few teams in the US and Canada, including the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs (they cut him twice) trying out with many teams, but it wasn’t meant to be. While in a Vancouver training camp, he met a writer who encouraged him to come to Los Angeles. He landed his first writing gig working for the CBS variety program Leslie Uggams Show. Two producers there were developing the Mary Tyler Moore show and thought Amos would be an ideal choice for Gordy, the weatherman, his first major role. Gordy led to “Maude”, then “Good Times”.
The LA Times says, “For three years and three seasons, Amos was adored by audiences around the country as the tough-loving patriarch of the Evans family on the 1970s sitcom “Good Times.” Amos played James Evans, a hard-working Korean War veteran with a withering stare and sharp wit who did everything he could to provide for his family.”
Evan was like any other great TV dad and loved all his children equally. Amos took issue with the scripts, focusing on JJ Walker’s comedic side at the expense of the other children. His differences with Norman Lear got him killed off of the series. It was never the same.
However, what may have seemed like a loss at the time was an incredible opportunity. Amos landed the chance to play the adult Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots.
“I couldn’t believe it. It was like I hit the lottery, ” he told the Television Academy in 2014. He was nominated for an Emmy for his work.
Amos had a long, enduring career and went on to play several iconic roles from Cleo McDowell in both “Coming to America” movies and was also a part of the cast of “The West Wing.” He played Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Percy “Fitz” Fitzwallace. His most recent roles were in “The Last Rifleman,” “The Righteous Gemstones,” and “Suits: LA.”
He is survived by his son, Kelly Christopher, and daughter, Shannon. We offer our condolences to their family.
His son 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…”
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