‘Good Times’ Star John Amos, Known for Iconic Dad Roles, Dies at 84
Good Times star John Amos, known for his iconic TV and film roles as a strong Black father figure, has died. He was 84.
According to Amos’ son, K.C., the actor died of natural causes on Aug. 21 in Los Angeles, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” K.C. shared in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. 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.”
John Amos (as James Evans, Sr.) and Esther Rolle (as Florida Evans) in Good Times.
Amos well well-known for playing Gordy the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on The West Wing, and earned an Emmy nomination for his turn as the older Kunta Kinte on Roots.
However, he is perhaps best known for his role as James Evans Sr., the husband of Esther Rolle’s Florida Evans, on the show Good Times, which was developed by Norman Lear and ran from 1974-79. Set in an inner-city Chicago apartment, the show was a spinoff of the Bea Arthur show Maude, and was the first sitcom to center on an African-American family. However, Amos was fired from the monumental show after three seasons in 1976, and his character was killed off. He was vocal about the creative differences between himself and Lear that led to the firing, namely the show’s at-times less than desirable depiction of African Americans.
The cast of the television show Good Times, John Amos (left) and Jimmie Walker; back row, from left, Ralph Carter, BernNadette Stanis, Ja'net DuBois, and Esther Rolle.
Amos told The Chicago Tribune, “I had become a disruptive element,” because “my thing was ‘Take the crap out, or let’s fight.’” His co-star Esther Rolle called some of the characters’ mannerisms and storylines, particularly related to the JJ character, “buffonery.”
He went on to make his mark on the big screen with films like Coming to America and Die Hard 2, and has continued acting in various shows and films in more recent years, like Ballers, Coming 2 America, and Suits: LA.
Bell (Madge Sinclair) and Kunta (John Amos) in Roots.
Family drama emerged earlier this year after Amos’ daughter Shannon accused her brother K.C. of “elder abuse” while he cared for their father—accusations Amos himself denied when he called them “false and unmerited” to People. In contrast, Amos said that he had been “feeling well and working diligently on various projects,” including new music and docuseries America’s Dad about his life, which he’d been producing with his son K.C.
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