DISCPlus: Remembering John Amos: America’s Beloved Television Dad, after his death in August

Remember John Amos, the former hardworking Television dad of the 70’s. Best known for his iconic role in Roots and Good Times, we mourn his passing.

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America’s former hardworking Television dad of the 70’s, John Allen Amos Jr. (December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024) was an American actor, and now we mourn his death. He was best known for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries Roots and for portraying James Evans Sr. on the CBS television series Good Times.

Amos’ other television work includes The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on The West Wing, and the role of Washington, DC Mayor Ethan Baker in the series The District. Amos has appeared on Broadway and in numerous films in his five-decade career.

Amos was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. On film, he played numerous supporting roles in movies such as The Beastmaster (1982), Coming to America (1988), Lock Up (1989), Die Hard 2 (1990) and Coming 2 America (2021).

Prior to his acting career, Amos played college football at Colorado State University. He also had a brief professional football career, which included spending a portion of the 1967 offseason for the American Football League‘s Kansas City Chiefs.

According to his son from Deadline:

John Amos, the actor whose characters in Good Times, Roots and The Mary Tyler Moore Show lent the 1970s a solid share of its too-few portrayals of strong Black male role models, died August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes. He was 84. His death, announced by son Kelly Christopher Amos, had not been disclosed until today.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” Kelly Christopher Amos said 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. My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life…. most recently in Suits LA playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, America’s Dad. He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”

Rest in peace to a legendary Television dad!

John Amos, television dad, Roots, Good Times, actor, 70’s, death

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