LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Amos, best known for his role as the family patriarch in the beloved 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and his Emmy-nominated performance in the landmark 1977 miniseries “Roots,” has passed away at the age of 84.
He died of natural causes on August 21 in Los Angeles. Amos’ publicist, Belinda Foster, confirmed his death on Tuesday.
Amos portrayed James Evans Sr. in “Good Times,” which showcased one of television’s first Black two-parent families. The show was produced by Norman Lear and co-created by actor Mike Evans, who also starred in “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.” It aired from 1974 to 1979 on CBS.
“That show was the closest depiction of life as an African American family living under those circumstances that I could imagine,” Amos told Time magazine in 2021.
Amos’ filmography includes “Let’s Do It Again” alongside Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier, “Coming to America” with Eddie Murphy and its 2021 sequel, “Die Hard 2,” “Madea’s Witness Protection,” and “Uncut Gems” with Adam Sandler. He also appeared in Ice Cube and Dr. Dre’s 1994 music video “Natural Born Killaz.”
Amos’ character in “Good Times,” along with his wife Florida, played by Esther Rolle, was introduced in another Lear show, “Maude.” James Evans frequently juggled two manual labor jobs to provide for his three children, with Jimmie Walker achieving breakout success as their oldest son, J.J.
The show had a lasting influence, with artists such as Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, and the Wu-Tang Clan referencing Amos or his character in their lyrics.
“Many fans consider him their TV father,” his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, stated. “He lived a fulfilling life, and his impressive body of work in television and film will continue to inspire. My father loved being an actor throughout his life. He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero.”
The elder Amos and Rolle aimed to represent a positive image of a Black family overcoming challenges in a public housing project in Chicago. However, they grew increasingly frustrated with the portrayal of Walker’s character as foolish and the expansion of his role.
“Esther’s criticism, along with that of John and others—some quite pointed—severely impacted my appeal within the Black community,” Walker wrote in his 2012 memoir “Dyn-O-Mite! Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times.”
Following three seasons of critical success and high ratings, Amos was let go. His growing discontent with the white writing staff’s inauthentic storylines for Black characters led to his dismissal.
“There were several instances where I insisted, ‘No, you can’t depict these things. It’s contrary to Black culture. I must be the authority here, if you don’t mind,’” he told Time magazine. “It escalated to the point where my departure from the show seemed like the best solution for everyone involved, including myself.”
Amos’ character was ultimately killed off in a car accident. Walker expressed regret over the situation. “If it had been up to me, I would have preferred that John stayed and that the show maintained a more ensemble approach,” he wrote in his memoir. “Nobody wanted me to be the central focus all the time, not even me.”
Amos and Lear eventually reconciled, sharing a warm hug during a “Good Times” live reunion special in 2019.
Following his exit from “Good Times,” Amos quickly found success in the role of an adult Kunta Kinte in “Roots,” based on Alex Haley’s novel depicting the era of slavery in the U.S. The miniseries was both a critical and ratings triumph, earning Amos one of its 37 Emmy nominations.
“I recognized this role as life-changing, both as an actor and from a human perspective,” he told Time magazine. “It represented the culmination of all the misconceptions and stereotypical roles I had experienced and been offered. It felt like a reward for enduring those indignities.”
John Allen Amos Jr. was born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, 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 diving into acting, he moved to New York to work as a social worker at the Vera Institute of Justice, assisting defendants at the Brooklyn House of Detention.
Amos briefly pursued a professional football career in various minor leagues. He signed a free-agent contract in 1967 with the Kansas City Chiefs, but Coach Hank Stram encouraged him to focus on his writing aspirations instead. Amos worked as an advertising and comedy writer before transitioning to acting.
His first significant TV role was as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” from 1970-1973. As the only Black character on the show, he played the straight man to the over-the-top anchor Ted Baxter.
He made numerous guest appearances on “The West Wing,” with additional television credits including “Hunter,” “The District,” “Men in Trees,” “All About the Andersons,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “The Ranch.”
In 2020, Amos was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He also served in the New Jersey National Guard.
He is survived by his daughter Shannon, a former entertainment executive, and son Kelly Christopher, a Grammy-nominated video music director and editor. They are from his first marriage to Noel Mickelson, whom he met in college. His second marriage to actress Lillian Lehman also ended in divorce.
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Associated Press Writer Kaitlyn Huamani contributed to this report.
Remembering John Amos: A Legacy of Talent and Trailblazing Representation
LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Amos, who starred as the family patriarch on the hit 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots,” has died. He was 84.
He died August 21 of natural causes in Los Angeles. Amos’ publicist, Belinda Foster, confirmed the news of his passing on Tuesday.
A Pioneering Figure in Television
Playing James Evans Sr. on “Good Times,” Amos was part of one of television’s first Black two-parent families. Produced by Norman Lear and co-created by actor Mike Evans, who co-starred on “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons,” the series ran from 1974-79 on CBS. It offered a rare glimpse into the everyday life of an African American family facing socioeconomic challenges.
“That show was the closest depiction in reality to life as an African American family living in those circumstances as it could be,” Amos remarked in a Time magazine interview in 2021.
Filming and Career Highlights
Amos’ cinematic repertoire includes notable films such as “Let’s Do It Again” with Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier, the iconic “Coming to America” with Eddie Murphy, its 2021 sequel, “Die Hard 2,” “Madea’s Witness Protection,” and the critically acclaimed “Uncut Gems” with Adam Sandler. He even featured in Ice Cube and Dr. Dre’s 1994 video “Natural Born Killaz.”
| Project | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Good Times | James Evans Sr. | 1974-79 |
| Roots | Adult Kunta Kinte | 1977 |
| Coming to America | Cleophus | 1988 |
| Uncut Gems | Old Man | 2019 |
His Impact on Culture
Amos’s portrayal of James Evans and efforts to present a positive image of a Black family resonated deeply with viewers, as many musicians like Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, and the Wu-Tang Clan have referenced him and his character in their lyrics. His son, Kelly Christopher Amos, noted, “Many fans consider him their TV father. My father loved working as an actor…”
Challenges and Controversies
While “Good Times” was widely acclaimed, Amos and costar Esther Rolle faced frustration when the character of J.J, played by Jimmie Walker, was increasingly portrayed as a foolish figure, diminishing the show’s initial strong family narrative.
Amos became vocal about the need for authentic representation, stating: “There were several examples where I said, ‘No, you don’t do these things. It’s anathema to Black society.’” Eventually, after tensions regarding the direction of the show, Amos was fired, with his character tragically killed in a car accident.
Reflecting on this, Walker expressed regret in his memoir, suggesting that he would have preferred Amos to stay and the show to remain an ensemble piece.
A New Chapter: Roots
Despite the setbacks from “Good Times,” Amos quickly rebounded. His role in “Roots” is regarded as pivotal in his career. Based on Alex Haley’s novel addressing slavery in the U.S., Amos’s portrayal of Kunta Kinte was not only a professional milestone but an opportunity to challenge stereotypes that had plagued his earlier work.
This role was a “life-changing” experience for Amos, who embraced the chance to depict profound themes of dignity and resilience.
Background and Early Life
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, playing for the school’s football team.
Before diving into acting, he worked as a social worker and had a brief professional football career, even signing a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967.
Television and Later Roles
Amos first gained recognition as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” from 1970-73, becoming the only Black character on the show. His career continued to flourish in various guest appearances and roles, including a memorable stint on “The West Wing” and shows like “Two and a Half Men” and “The Ranch.”
In 2020, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy not only in Hollywood but as an influential figure in the lives of many.
Personal Life and Legacy
John Amos is survived by his children, Shannon and Kelly Christopher, from his first marriage to Noel Mickelson. His second marriage to actor Lillian Lehman also ended in divorce. His son Kelly honors his father’s memory by highlighting the impact he had on the entertainment industry.
Amos’s contributions extend beyond his roles; they represent a journey of authenticity, resilience, and representation in an industry that continues to evolve.