John Amos, the Emmy-nominated actor best known for his portrayal of the older Kunta Kinte in the 1977 miniseries Roots and as patriarch James Evans Sr. on the CBS sitcom Good Times, has passed away at the age of 84.
Amos, who was also a TV writer, became a household name for his role as the steadfast father on Good Times before he was let go from the series due to his objections to stereotypical storylines and his own admitted struggles with temper. He passed away on August 21 in Los Angeles from natural causes, as confirmed by his son, K.C. Amos. “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” K.C. said in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved by people all over the world. Many fans saw him as their TV father. He lived a good life, and his legacy will live on through his remarkable work in television and film.”
Born in New Jersey, Amos played football at Colorado State University and even had training camp tryouts with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs before turning to acting. His showbiz career took off after he was cast as Gordy Howard, the WJN-TV weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He later received an Emmy nomination for playing the older version of Kunta Kinte, Toby, in the groundbreaking ABC miniseries Roots. Amos also had a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on NBC’s The West Wing.
Amos’ big screen debut came in Melvin Van Peebles’ 1971 classic Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. He also played the manager of a fast-food restaurant in the 1988 comedy Coming to America, where he hires an African prince (Eddie Murphy) and his assistant (Arsenio Hall). Years earlier, Amos had worked in the McDonald’s training program before famously appearing as an employee in a 1971 McDonald’s commercial that helped fund his children’s college education.
After several guest appearances as the affable Gordy on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Amos was invited to read for the role of James Evans Sr., the father on Good Times. The show, which aired from 1974 to 1979, was the first sitcom to focus on an African-American family and was set in a Chicago housing project. Amos recalled reading for the role with co-star Esther Rolle and Good Times creator Norman Lear, who decided on the spot that he was right for the part.
Despite his success on the show, Amos grew frustrated with the direction Good Times was taking, particularly with the focus on Jimmie Walker’s character, J.J., and his comedic catchphrase “Dy-no-mite!” Amos believed the series placed too much emphasis on J.J.’s antics rather than highlighting the aspirations of the other two children, Thelma (played by BernNadette Stanis) and Michael (Ralph Carter), who had dreams of becoming a surgeon and a Supreme Court justice, respectively.
“I wasn’t the most diplomatic guy back then,” Amos later admitted, noting that his outspoken criticisms led to tensions with the show’s producers. Ultimately, the decision was made to write his character off the show, with James Evans Sr. being killed in a car accident at the start of season four in a two-part episode that aired in 1976.
Amos’ legacy, both as an actor and as a figure who pushed back against stereotypes in television, will continue to resonate with audiences.