“Good Times” dad and “Roots” star John Amos passed away at the age of 84

John Amos, a well-known television actor best recognised for his parts in Good Times, The West Wing, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Roots, passed away at the age of 84. The actor passed away on August 21 at his Los Angeles home from natural causes, according to a statement from his family; however, the details were not made public until today.

Kelly Christopher Amos, his son, released a statement saying, “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” according to Deadline. “He had the purest heart and a heart of gold, and he was adored by people everywhere.” He is regarded as their TV father by many admirers.

born in Newark, New Jersey, on December 27, 1939. He had a successful football career before turning to acting, playing in both the Atlantic Coast Football League and the Continental Football League. The Denver Broncos signed him in 1964, but an injury forced him to be cut before the season started. As an actor, he had greater fortune: from 1970 to 1973, he portrayed weatherman Gordy Howard in the popular sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which served as his breakthrough role.

The most well-known role that Amos had was that of patriarch James Evans in the beloved sitcom Good Times. Despite his young age of 34 at the time of casting, he brought a compelling portrayal of a dedicated father raising three children in a low-income housing project.

The way the program portrayed important subjects like racism and poverty won accolades. However, as the show progressed, Amos got into arguments with the writers and producers about how truthfully they were portraying Black families and didn’t agree with the show’s shift towards broader humour.

After the third season, Amos was fired from the show, and his persona perished in an automobile accident. But Amos soon won another memorable role, in another historic work of Black television, playing the adult Kunta Kinte on the miniseries Roots. For his performance, Amos was nominated for an Emmy.

Amos is best known for his recurrent part in the White House drama The West Wing as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Percy Fitzwallace. In addition, he played recurrent parts on The Ranch and Two and a Half Men. Among his noteworthy motion pictures are Coming to America and its follow-up, Die Hard 2, Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.

“He had a happy life. His son said in his statement that “his legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.” “My father spent his entire life loving to work as an actor.” “He was not only my hero, but also my best friend and dad.” I appreciate your prayers and current support. John Amos, a TV legend, will be missed. May he rest in peace. 😢💔