John Amos, Good Times and Roots Star, Dead at 84

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Oct. 1, 2024

John Amos, Good Times and Roots Star, Dead at 84

By
Jennifer Zhan,
a Vulture news blogger covering music, internet culture, and TV.

Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Time Warner Inc.

Beloved TV dad John Amos died earlier this year at 84, his family announced on October 1. The actor’s publicist said in a statement to NBC News that Amos died from natural causes in Los Angeles on August 21. His son, Kelly Christopher Amos, also confirmed the news of his death. “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” he wrote 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.”

In his younger years, Amos was an athlete; he played college football at Colorado State University and was briefly on the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1967 offseason. But he rose to wider fame for his acting, including a breakout role as weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He also played the patriarch on Good Times, the first American sitcom with a two-parent Black family. In 2015, Amos reflected to Vulture that he had carried the “responsibility” of that role seriously, noting, “I knew that millions of Black people were watching. I knew that my own father was watching. My own children were watching. And I was not going to portray something that was less than redeeming.” He was also known for his work in Roots, Coming to America, The West Wing, The Beastmaster, and Die Hard 2, among many other projects.

Several former co-stars have shared their condolences. “John was a great actor and my condolences go out to his entire family, friends and his many, many fans,” Good Times star Jimmie Walker said in a statement to People. Coming to America star Garcelle Beauvais shared a selfie with Amos on her Instagram Story, captioning it, “I will miss you, John,” alongside broken-heart and prayer-hand emojis. “My heart hurts. Peace to this man, and love to his family,” Lex Scott Davis wrote in another Instagram Story, alongside prayer-hand and flower emojis. Below, find social media tributes from Martin Lawrence, Wendell Pierce, and more.

John Amos, Good Times and Roots Star, Dead at 84

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