Good Times Star John Amos Dies at 84

U.S. National Archives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

John Amos, the talented actor known for his iconic roles in “Good Times” and “Coming to America,” has passed away at the age of 84. His son, Kelly Christopher Amos, confirmed the news, sharing that his father died of natural causes in Los Angeles on August 21 ¹. John Amos was a beloved Emmy-nominated actor who brought to life memorable characters throughout his career, including James Evans Sr. in “Good Times” and Cleo McDowell in “Coming to America” ¹ ² ³.

With a heart of gold, John Amos left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and the hearts of his fans. His son beautifully expressed that his father’s legacy will live on through his outstanding works in television and film ¹. Throughout his career, John Amos appeared in various notable shows, including “Roots” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” showcasing his incredible range and talent ³.

John Amos will be deeply missed, but his iconic performances will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for generations to come.

John Amos Jr. was born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in East Orange, New Jersey [1]. He developed a passion for sports and acting during his formative years.

Before becoming an actor, Amos served in the New Jersey Air National Guard and later played professional football in the American Football League (AFL) with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs [2).

About John Amos

Amos began his acting career in the early 1970s, landing small roles on stage and screen. His breakthrough role came in 1974 when he played James Evans Sr. in the groundbreaking TV series “Good Times” [3]. He went on to appear in numerous iconic shows and films, including:

• “Roots” (1977) [4]
• “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970-1977) [5]
• “Coming to America” (1988) [6]
• “Die Hard 2” (1990) [7]
• “The West Wing” (1999-2006) [8]

Throughout his illustrious career, Amos received multiple Emmy nominations and won numerous awards for his performances [9].

Sources:

[1] (link unavailable) John Amos Biography
[2] IMDb: John Amos Biography
[3] The Hollywood Reporter: John Amos Reflects on ‘Good Times’ and ‘Roots’
[4] Variety: ‘Roots’ at 45: The Impact and Legacy of the Groundbreaking Miniseries
[5] The Mary Tyler Moore Show (TV Series 1970-1977) – IMDb
[6] Coming to America (1988) – IMDb
[7] Die Hard 2 (1990) – IMDb
[8] The West Wing (TV Series 1999-2006) – IMDb
[9] Emmy Awards: John Amos Nominees

John Amos passed away on August 21, but the news was not widely reported until recently.

According to his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, the family chose to keep the news private initially.

“We wanted to make sure that we took care of him and celebrated him as a family before sharing it with the world,” Kelly Amos explained.

The delay in reporting allowed the family to grieve and honor John Amos in private before sharing the news publicly.

Sources:

• The Hollywood Reporter: John Amos, ‘Good Times’ and ‘Coming to America’ Actor, Dies at 84
• Variety: John Amos, Star of ‘Good Times’ and ‘Roots,’ Dies at 84