John Amos, the Emmy-nominated actor and former TV writer best known for his role as the stoic father on "Good Times," has passed away at the age of 84. His son, K.C. Amos, announced that John died of natural causes on August 21 in Los Angeles. "With heartfelt sadness, I share that my father has transitioned," K.C. said in a statement. "He had a kind heart and was loved by many fans who considered him their TV father. His legacy will live on through his remarkable work in television and film."
Amos, who played college football at Colorado State University and had brief training camp stints with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, began his showbiz career as a weatherman on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." He earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Toby, the older Kunta Kinte, in the iconic 1977 miniseries "Roots," and had a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on NBC’s "The West Wing."
His film career kicked off with Melvin Van Peebles’ 1971 classic "Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song." He later played a restaurant manager in "Coming to America" (1988), where he hired Eddie Murphy's character. Years earlier, he had appeared in a memorable McDonald’s commercial that helped fund his children’s education.
Amos became a household name after auditioning for the role of James Evans Sr. on "Good Times," which aired from 1974 to 1979. The show was groundbreaking as the first sitcom centered on an African-American family living in an inner-city Chicago project. However, after three seasons, Amos voiced concerns about the stereotypical portrayals of characters, particularly J.J. Evans, and was ultimately written off the show in a two-part episode where his character died in a car accident.
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos was inspired by his mother's career as a housekeeper who later became a nutritionist. His early experiences, including attending a live taping of "The Archie Show," ignited his passion for performance.
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