John Amos, a prominent actor who made significant contributions to the television and film industry, died on August 21, 2024, at the age of 84.
The actor’s career, which spanned over five decades, was marked by a variety of roles that crossed generations. His death in Los Angeles, California, from natural causes, was confirmed by his son, Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos.
Amos first caught the public’s attention in the early 1970s with his portrayal of Gordon “Gordy” Howard, a weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” His career took off when he was cast as James Evans Sr. in the CBS sitcom “Good Times,” a revolutionary show that depicted a working-class Black family from 1974 to 1979.
Amos was known for his dedication to realism and fought for the inclusion of real issues in “Good Times.” However, his creative disagreements with the writers led to his exit from the show in 1976. Amos stated in multiple interviews that he couldn’t continue on the show if it didn’t reflect reality accurately.
In 1977, Amos took on the memorable role of the adult Kunta Kinte in the highly-praised miniseries “Roots,” which became one of the most-watched television events in history. The finale gathered over 130 million viewers, and Amos’ performance was widely hailed. Reflecting on “Roots,” Amos once said, “You don’t anticipate that kind of success because that’s dreaming and that’s one thing actors can’t afford to do. We’ve got to deal in reality.”
Amos continued to have a successful career in the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in popular TV shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “The West Wing.” He also left an impact in films, especially with his role as Cleo McDowell in Eddie Murphy’s “Coming to America” in 1988 and its 2021 sequel.
Apart from his acting career, Amos led a diverse life. He played football at Colorado State University and briefly played in the NFL before transitioning to television writing and acting. Amos was dedicated to positive representation and often declined roles that perpetuated negative stereotypes. He also wrote and produced his own projects, including the one-man play “Halley’s Comet.”
In his later years, Amos remained active in the industry, making appearances in shows like “The Righteous Gemstones.” He was also working on a documentary about his life and career, titled “America’s Dad,” at the time of his death.
His son, K.C., remembered his father as an exceptionally kind and generous man, whose legacy will live on through his significant contributions to television and film. K.C. also emphasized that his father’s lifelong passion for acting and his impact on and off-screen would be remembered for years to come.
