John Amos, star of TV’s ‘Good Times’ and ‘Roots,’ dies at 84

LOS ANGELES — John Amos, who starred because the household patriarch on the hit Seventies sitcom “Good Instances” and earned an Emmy nomination for his function within the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots,” has died. He was 84.

Amos’ publicist, Belinda Foster, confirmed the information of his loss of life Tuesday. No different particulars have been instantly obtainable.

He performed James Evans Sr. on “Good Instances,” which featured considered one of tv’s first Black two-parent households. Produced by Norman Lear and co-created by actor Mike Evans, who co-starred on “All within the Household” and “The Jeffersons,” it ran from 1974-79 on CBS.

“That present was the closest depiction in actuality to life as an African American household dwelling in these circumstances because it could possibly be,” Amos instructed Time journal in 2021.

His character, together with spouse Florida, performed by Esther Rolle, originated on one other Lear present, “Maude.” James Evans typically labored two guide labor jobs to assist his household that included three kids, with Jimmie Walker changing into a breakout star as oldest son J.J.

Such was the present’s influence that Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, the Wu-Tang Clan are among the many musicians who name-checked Amos or his character of their lyrics.

Amos and Rolle have been desirous to painting a optimistic picture of a Black household, struggling in opposition to the chances in a public housing mission in Chicago. However they grew annoyed at seeing Walker’s character being made silly and his function expanded.

“The actual fact is that Esther’s criticism, and likewise that of John and others — a few of it very pointed and private — critically broken my attraction within the Black group,” Walker wrote in his 2012 memoir “Dyn-O-Mite! Good Instances, Unhealthy Instances, Our Instances.”

Amos criticized “Good Instances” storylines as inauthentic

After three seasons of vital acclaim and excessive scores, Amos was fired. He had grow to be vital of the present’s white writing workers creating storylines that he felt have been inauthentic to the Black characters.

“There have been a number of examples the place I mentioned, ‘No, you don’t do this stuff. It’s anathema to Black society. I’ll be the skilled on that, should you don’t thoughts,‘” he instructed Time journal. “And it obtained confrontational and heated sufficient that finally my being killed off the present was the most effective resolution for everyone involved, myself included.”

Amos’ character was killed in a automobile accident. Walker lamented the state of affairs. “If the choice had been as much as me, I’d have most popular that John keep and the present stay extra of an ensemble,” he wrote in his memoir. “No person wished me up entrance on a regular basis, together with me.”

Amos and Lear later reconciled they usually shared a hug at a “Good Instances” dwell TV reunion particular in 2019.

“A life-changing function” in “Roots”

Amos shortly bounced again, touchdown the function of an grownup Kunta Kinte, the centerpiece of “Roots,” based mostly on Alex Haley’s novel set throughout and after the period of slavery within the U.S. The miniseries was a vital and scores blockbuster, and Amos earned considered one of its 37 Emmy nominations.

“I knew that it was a life-changing function for me, as an actor and simply from a humanistic standpoint,” he instructed Time journal. “It was the end result of all the misconceptions and stereotypical roles that I had lived and seen being supplied to me. It was like a reward for having suffered these indignities.”

Born John Allen Amos Jr. on Dec. 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, he was the son of an auto mechanic. He graduated from Colorado State College with a sociology diploma and performed on the college’s soccer staff.

Earlier than pursuing appearing, he moved to New York and was a social employee on the Vera Institute of Justice, working with defendants on the Brooklyn Home of Detention.

He had a quick skilled soccer profession, enjoying in numerous minor leagues. He signed a free-agent contract in 1967 with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, however coach Hank Stram inspired Amos to pursue his curiosity in writing as a substitute. He had jobs as an promoting and comedy author earlier than transferring in entrance of the digicam.

Amos’ first main TV function was as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Present” from 1970-73. Because the present’s solely Black character, he performed straight man to bombastic anchor Ted Baxter.

Amongst Amos’ movie credit have been “Let’s Do It Once more” with Invoice Cosby and Sidney Poitier, “Coming to America” with Eddie Murphy and its 2021 sequel, “Die Arduous 2,” “Madea’s Witness Safety” and “Uncut Gems” with Adam Sandler. He was in Ice Dice and Dr. Dre’s 1994 video “Pure Born Killaz.”

He was a frequent visitor star on “The West Wing,” and his different TV appearances included “Hunter,” “The District,” “Males in Timber,” “All In regards to the Andersons,” “Two and a Half Males,” and “The Ranch.”

In 2020, Amos was inducted into the New Jersey Corridor of Fame. He served within the New Jersey Nationwide Guard.

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