John Amos, best known for his role as the family patriarch in the popular 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and for receiving an Emmy nomination for his performance in the influential 1977 miniseries “Roots,” has passed away at the age of 84. Amos died of natural causes on August 21 in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his publicist, Belinda Foster.
In “Good Times,” Amos portrayed James Evans Sr., part of one of television’s earliest Black two-parent families. The show, which aired on CBS from 1974 to 1979 and was produced by Norman Lear, aimed to depict the realities of African American life during that era. Amos expressed to Time magazine in 2021 that the show closely represented the experiences of African American families facing such circumstances.
Amos’ film credits include appearances in “Let’s Do It Again” alongside Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier, “Coming to America” and its 2021 sequel with Eddie Murphy, as well as “Die Hard 2,” “Madea’s Witness Protection,” and “Uncut Gems” featuring Adam Sandler. He also appeared in the 1994 music video “Natural Born Killaz” by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.
His character, along with his wife Florida, played by Esther Rolle, originally came from Lear’s show “Maude.” James Evans Sr. was depicted as a hardworking father managing two manual labor jobs to support his family of three children, with Jimmie Walker emerging as a standout performer as their eldest son, J.J. The show’s influence is evident, as artists like Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, and the Wu-Tang Clan have referenced Amos or his character in their music.
Amos’ son, Kelly Christopher Amos, shared that many fans regarded him as their TV father, stating, “He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor. My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life. He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero.”
Amos and Rolle aimed to showcase a positive representation of a Black family navigating challenges in a Chicago public housing project. However, they grew frustrated with the portrayal of Walker’s character, feeling it diminished the show’s integrity. Walker later noted in his memoir that the criticism from Amos and others had negatively affected his standing in the Black community.
After three successful seasons, Amos was let go from the show due to his disagreements with the predominantly white writing team over the authenticity of the storylines. He felt compelled to speak out, leading to his character’s death in a car accident—a move that Walker regretted, wishing for a more ensemble-focused approach.
Despite the challenges, Amos rebounded quickly, landing a significant role as adult Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries “Roots.” This role was pivotal for him both as an actor and personally, marking a turning point in his career.
John Amos was born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in sociology and played on the university’s football team. Before pursuing acting, he worked as a social worker and briefly played professional football, but he ultimately transitioned to writing and acting.
His career took off with his role as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” from 1970 to 1973. As the show’s only Black character, he often served as the straight man to the comedic antics of other characters.
Amos made guest appearances on various series, including “The West Wing,” “Hunter,” and “Two and a Half Men.” In 2020, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his daughter Shannon and son Kelly Christopher, both from his first marriage to Noel Mickelson. His second marriage to actress Lillian Lehman also ended in divorce.
