John Allen Amos Jr.
December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024
John Amos was an accomplished American actor, renowned for his versatility across film, television, and stage. Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos grew up in the Bronx before eventually moving to East Orange, New Jersey. With a background in sports, Amos attended Long Beach City College.and graduated from Colorado State University becoming a social worker with a degree in sociology and there is where he played football. In 1964, John Amos entered professional football by signing a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos of the American Football League (AFL). However, due to a pulled hamstring that prevented him from completing the 40-yard dash, he was let go after just two days of training camp. Despite this setback, he continued to pursue his football career and played for several teams, including the Canton Bulldogs and Joliet Chargers in the United Football League (UFL) in 1964, the Norfolk Neptunes and Wheeling Ironmen in the Continental Football League (COFL) in 1965, and the Jersey City Jets and Waterbury Orbits in the American Continental Football League (ACFL) in 1966. In 1967, Amos earned another opportunity with the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. However, after evaluating his performance, coach Hank Stram told him, “You’re not a football player, you’re a man trying to play football.”He left football.After college, he was a Golden Gloves boxing champion and turned his focus toward acting, beginning with theater and regional productions before breaking into television and film.
Amos is perhaps best known for his role as James Evans Sr. on the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom Good Times, where he portrayed the strong, loving, and principled patriarch of a Black family in Chicago. His performance earned widespread recognition and solidified his status as one of television’s pioneering Black actors. Unfortunately, his character was written out of the show during its fifth season due to creative differences, but his impact on the series is undeniable. In addition to his TV work, Amos earned critical acclaim for his role in the film Coming to America (1988) and its sequel Coming 2 America (2021), where he portrayed the wise and lovable father of the fictional African prince, Prince Akeem.
John Amos’ career extended well beyond Good Times, with his work spanning multiple genres. He became a fixture in both television dramas and comedies, bringing a unique depth to each role. In the late 1970s and 1980s, he appeared in numerous notable TV series, including The West Wing (1999–2006), where he played the character of Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, as well as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, In 1977, John Amos delivered one of his most iconic performances as the adult Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking ABC miniseries Roots, based on Alex Haley’s bestselling novel. This role earned him widespread acclaim and marked a pivotal moment in his career. In 1980, Amos starred in the TV movie Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story, a dramatized account of the infamous prison. He later took on the role of a modern-day Archie Bunker in the 1994 sitcom 704 Hauser, a reimagined version of All in the Family. Despite the series being canceled after only five episodes, Amos’ portrayal of a working-class patriarch stood out. He also had a recurring role as Captain Dolan on Hunter from 1984 to 1985 and appeared as a key player in the CBS police drama The District.
Amos was well-known for his appearances on The West Wing, where he portrayed Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His other TV roles included Buzz Washington in Men in Trees and co-starring with Anthony Anderson in the 2003 series All About the Andersons. In 2010, he made appearances on Two and a Half Men and returned in 2016 on Netflix’s The Ranch, once again playing a character named Ed. Amos guest-starred on a wide range of popular TV shows, including Police Story, The A-Team, The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, In the House, Martin, Touched by an Angel, Psych, Sanford and Son, My Name Is Earl, Lie to Me, and Murder, She Wrote. He also worked as a spokesperson for the Cochran Firm, a national personal injury law firm.
A talented writer and producer, Amos created Halley’s Comet, a one-man play that was met with critical acclaim and performed worldwide. He also had notable stage credits, including his performances in August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean on Broadway and at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton.
Amos had a successful film career, with his first leading role in Disney’s The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973) alongside Tim Conway and Jan-Michael Vincent. He also starred in Let’s Do It Again (1975) with Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier. His filmography includes a variety of roles in films such as Vanishing Point (1971), The President’s Plane Is Missing (1973), Touched by Love (1980), The Beastmaster (1982), Dance of the Dwarfs (1983), American Flyers (1985), Coming to America (1988), Lock Up (1989), Two Evil Eyes (1989), Die Hard 2 (1990), and Ricochet (1991). He later appeared in films like For Better or Worse (1995), The Players Club (1998), My Baby’s Daddy (2004), Dr. Dolittle 3 (2006), and Madea’s Witness Protection (2012). In addition, Amos appeared in the 1994 music video for Ice Cube and Dr. Dre’s “Natural Born Killaz.”
Amos released We Were Hippies, an album of original country songs by Gene and Eric Cash, in 2009. In 2021, he starred in Because of Charley, a drama about an estranged family coming together in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. The same year, he reprised his role in Coming 2 America, the sequel to the beloved Coming to America film.
Amos also had a successful film career, acting in a variety of roles. His film credits include The Landlord (1970), The Beastmaster (1982), and Die Hard 2 (1990). While his roles were often tough and authoritative figures, his deep emotional range and ability to balance drama with humor were part of what made him so beloved by audiences.
In addition to his acting career, Amos was a prominent voice in promoting African-American representation in the entertainment industry. He received multiple accolades for his work, including an NAACP Image Award and recognition from the Screen Actors Guild. He was celebrated for breaking barriers and being part of the movement that expanded the representation of Black characters on screen in nuanced, complex roles.
Throughout his illustrious career, Amos continued to work steadily in both film and television, keeping his audience captivated with his magnetic presence. He appeared in various guest roles on popular TV shows, as well as voice acting roles in animated series. His enduring legacy is marked by his contributions to entertainment and his status as a role model for future generations of actors, especially in the portrayal of Black men in Hollywood.
Amos’ legacy as an actor was cemented not only by his numerous television and film credits but also by his public advocacy for equal opportunities in the entertainment industry. His distinct voice, compelling performances, and remarkable ability to portray complex, strong, and compassionate characters remain at the core of his celebrated career.
John Amos served as a member of the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard and was also honored as an Honorary Master Chief of the United States Coast Guard. Over the course of his life, he was married twice. His first marriage, which lasted from 1965 to 1975, was to artist and equestrian Noel Mickelson. Together, they had two children: Shannon Amos, a writer and producer who founded Afterglow Multimedia, LLC, and K.C. Amos, a Grammy-nominated director. In 2023, The Hollywood Reporter covered a dispute between Shannon and K.C. over the care of their parents, which became a public issue.
Amos’ second marriage was to actress Lillian Lehman, lasting briefly from 1978 to 1979. For many years, he resided in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, before relocating to Westcliffe, Colorado, in 2018. There, he settled southwest of Pueblo. In 2023, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation began looking into reports that Amos had suffered from elder abuse. Later that year, he moved again, this time to Los Angeles.
John Amos passed away from congestive heart failure on August 21, 2024, at the age of 84, at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, California. His death was kept private until it was publicly announced on October 1, 2024. His daughter, Shannon, was not informed of his passing until the news broke in the media. Amos was cremated nine days following his death.
. His death marked the loss of a towering figure in American entertainment, one whose career had a profound impact on both the television and film industries. Fans, fellow actors, and cultural leaders alike mourned the passing of a man who had devoted much of his life to the craft of acting and to ensuring more inclusive representation for all communities. His work, full of dignity and heart, lives on as an integral part of the entertainment landscape.
John Amos received numerous accolades throughout his career, celebrating his work in television, film, and theater. Some of the key awards and recognitions he earned include:
- NAACP Image Award – Amos was honored multiple times by the NAACP for his outstanding contributions to African-American representation in entertainment.
- Primetime Emmy Award – Amos received an Emmy nomination for his role in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots (1977), where he portrayed the adult Kunta Kinte.
- Golden Globe Award – He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in Good Times, which was an iconic sitcom in the 1970s.
- Screen Actors Guild Awards – Amos received recognition from the Screen Actors Guild for his work in television and film.
- African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Award – Awarded for his roles in prominent films, especially those that represented Black culture and issues.
- Television Academy Honors – Recognition for his contribution to television, especially his work on Roots and Good Times.
- Theatrical Honors – In addition to his film and television recognition, Amos earned accolades for his stage work, especially for his performance in Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson.
Although these are some of his most notable awards, his legacy extends beyond formal accolades, with his impact on the entertainment industry and his advocacy for greater representation of African Americans in film and television being central to his career achievements.