John Amos Passes Away at 84: A Retrospective on His Impactful Career in Television and Film

LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Amos, best known for his roles as the family patriarch on the 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and his Emmy-nominated performance in the 1977 miniseries “Roots,” has died at the age of 84. His passing was confirmed by his publicist, Belinda Foster, but further details remain undisclosed.

John Amos earned widespread acclaim for his depiction of James Evans Sr. on “Good Times,” a show heralded as one of the first to portray a Black two-parent family on American television. Produced by Norman Lear and co-created by Mike Evans, the series aired from 1974 to 1979 on CBS, portraying the struggles of a family in a Chicago public housing project. As Amos recounted to Time magazine in 2021, “That show was the closest depiction in reality to life as an African American family living in those circumstances as it could be.”

Amos and his co-star, Esther Rolle, were committed to presenting a positive image of a Black family facing adversity. However, tensions arose over creative differences, particularly regarding Jimmie Walker’s character, J.J. Despite its critical acclaim, after three seasons, Amos was let go from “Good Times” due to his criticisms of the stereotypical storylines penned by the show’s white writers.

Following his tenure on “Good Times,” Amos gained significant recognition for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in “Roots,” a groundbreaking series based on Alex Haley’s book about slavery in America. “I knew that it was a life-changing role for me,” Amos said, acknowledging how it countered the stereotypical roles he had previously encountered.

Born John Allen Amos Jr. on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos was the son of an auto mechanic. He graduated from Colorado State University with a sociology degree, where he also played football before his acting career took off. His early roles included a position as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” which provided a significant boost to his acting career.

In addition to television, Amos appeared in numerous films, including “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” (1971) and the classic “Coming to America” (1988). His work also extended to series like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “The West Wing.”

Amos’s legacy in television and film is considerable. His work on “Good Times” and “Roots” left enduring impacts on the portrayal of Black families and historical narratives on the screen. His son, K.C. Amos, shared a statement recognizing his father’s life and contributions, highlighting Amos as a beloved figure and “TV father” to many.

Amos is survived by his children, K.C. and Shannon, who have continued to honor their father’s contributions to the entertainment industry.