LOS ANGELES – The world of entertainment has suffered a great loss as American actor John Amos passed away at the age of 84. Known for his iconic roles in the popular 1970’s sitcom Good Times and the groundbreaking miniseries Roots, Amos was a versatile and talented actor who left a lasting impact on the industry.
His publicist, Belinda Foster, confirmed the news of his death on Tuesday, leaving fans and colleagues in shock. Foster did not provide any further details about the cause of his death.
Amos rose to fame playing James Evans Sr. on Good Times, one of the first Black two-parent families portrayed on television. Produced by Norman Lear and co-created by actor Mike Evans, the show ran from 1974-1979 on CBS. Amos’ character, along with his wife Florida played by Esther Rolle, were a positive and realistic depiction of the struggles faced by African American families in the 1970’s.
In an interview with Time magazine in 2021, Amos reflected on the impact and importance of Good Times, stating, “That show was the closest depiction in reality to life as an African American family living in those circumstances as it could be.”
Good Times not only entertained audiences, but it also broke barriers and paved the way for future shows to portray diverse families on screen. It became a cultural phenomenon and has continued to be referenced in popular culture for decades, with musicians like Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, and the Wu-Tang Clan giving shoutouts to Amos and his character in their lyrics.
However, Amos and co-star Esther Rolle became frustrated with the direction of the show when Jimmie Walker’s character, J.J., a breakout star, was given more comedic and foolish storylines. This led to tension on set, and ultimately Amos was fired after three seasons of critical acclaim and high ratings.
In his 2012 memoir Dyn-O-Mite! Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times, Walker addressed the situation, stating, “The fact is that Esther’s criticism, and also that of John and others – some of it very pointed and personal – seriously damaged my appeal in the Black community.” He also expressed his regret at not having more of an ensemble cast and not wanting to be the center of attention.
Amos and Lear eventually reconciled, and they shared a heartwarming hug at a Good Times live TV reunion special in 2019. Amos may have been let go from the show, but his talent and impact were undeniable.
He quickly bounced back, earning a critically acclaimed role as an adult Kunta Kinte in the miniseries Roots, based on Alex Haley’s novel about the era of slavery in the U.S. The show became a cultural phenomenon and Amos earned one of its 37 Emmy nominations.
In the same Time magazine interview, Amos shared his thoughts on the significance of his role in Roots, saying, “It was the culmination of all of the misconceptions and stereotypical roles that I had lived and seen being offered to me. It was like a reward for having suffered those indignities.”
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, John Allen Amos Jr. was the son of an auto mechanic. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in sociology and played on the school’s football team. Before pursuing his acting career, he worked as a social worker at the Vera Institute of Justice in Brooklyn, New York.
Amos also had a brief career in professional football, but was encouraged by his coach to pursue his interest in writing. He had a variety of jobs, including advertising and comedy writer, before making his way to the big screen.
His first major TV role was as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1970-1973. In the show’s predominantly white cast, Amos stood out as the only Black character and played the straight man to the bombastic anchor, Ted Baxter.
Amos also had a successful film career, appearing in popular movies such as Let’s Do It Again with Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier, Coming to America with Eddie Murphy, Die Hard 2, Madea’s Witness Protection, and Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler. He even made a cameo in the 1994 music video “Natural Born Killaz” by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.
He continued to make guest appearances on
