John Amos, an iconic figure in television and film, has passed away at the age of 84. He died of natural causes on August 21, according to a statement from his publicist, Belinda Foster, though the news was only made public on Tuesday.
Amos is best known for his powerful performances in the 1977 miniseries Roots and Die Hard 2. He also portrayed James Evans Sr. on the groundbreaking television series Good Times, which featured one of the first Black two-parent families on American television. “That show was the closest depiction in reality to life as an African American family living in those circumstances as it could be,” Amos told Time magazine in 2021.
Throughout his career, Amos starred in several notable films, including Let’s Do It Again alongside Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier, and Coming to America with Eddie Murphy. His impact on popular culture was significant, with musicians like Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, and the Wu-Tang Clan referencing him or his character in their lyrics.
Amos’ son, Kelly Christopher Amos, paid tribute to his father, stating, “Many fans consider him their TV father. 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.”
Despite his success, Amos had a tumultuous relationship with Good Times, particularly regarding its writing staff. He became critical of the show’s predominantly white writers for creating storylines he felt were inauthentic to Black characters. “There were several examples where I said, ‘No, you don’t do these things. It’s anathema to Black society. I’ll be the expert on that, if you don’t mind,'” he told Time magazine. His outspoken views led to his character being killed off in a car accident, a decision that Amos later described as the best solution for everyone involved.
Co-star Jimmie Walker shared his perspective on Amos’ departure, stating, “If the decision had been up to me, I would have preferred that John stay and the show remain more of an ensemble. Nobody wanted me up front all the time, including me.”
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos was the son of a mechanic. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in sociology and played on the school’s football team. Before fully pursuing acting, he worked as a social worker at the Vera Institute of Justice, where he supported defendants at the Brooklyn House of Detention. He also had a brief professional football career, playing in various minor leagues.
John Amos leaves behind a rich legacy of performances that challenged stereotypes and inspired audiences. His contributions to film and television will be remembered for generations to come.