John Amos, beloved star of 'Good Times' and 'Roots,' dies at 84

 

John Amos, the beloved actor known for his iconic roles as James Evans Sr. on the sitcom "Good Times" and as the adult Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries "Roots," has passed away at the age of 84, his longtime publicist Belinda Foster confirmed. Foster told CNN on Tuesday that Amos died of natural causes in Los Angeles on August 21. His son, Kelly Christopher Amos, also released a statement, expressing the family's grief and celebrating Amos' legacy.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” the statement read. “He was a man with the kindest heart, 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 through his outstanding work in television and film.”

Born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Amos first pursued football, playing at Colorado State University before earning tryouts with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League. Amos once recalled his time in football, noting that Kansas City Chiefs coach Hank Stram told him, “You are not a football player, you are a young man who happens to be playing football.” 

After brief stints as a social worker and copywriter, Amos shifted to acting, landing his breakout role as weatherman Gordon “Gordy” Howard on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." He became a household name with his portrayal of James Evans Sr. on "Good Times," though he left the show after two seasons due to disagreements over the portrayal of the Black family.

Amos' Emmy-nominated performance as Kunta Kinte in "Roots" solidified his place in television history. Over the years, he continued to captivate audiences with roles in films like "Coming to America" and its sequel, and he remained a beloved figure in Hollywood until his death.