John Amos, a beloved actor known for his roles in classic shows like Good Times, Roots, and movies like Coming to America, has died at the age of 84. The sad news was confirmed by his son, Kelly Christopher (also known as KC), in an emotional statement to PEOPLE.
John Amos Passes Away at 84
Getting to the details of the performance KC said that his father was a man with a heart of gold, and hence loved by people of this world. He said that the majority of the fans treated John Amos as their “TV father.” And being a son, KC said he was happy and grateful that John left great memories behind.
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“He was my father and my friend too, my superhero,” KC was still in tears as she spoke to reporters. “I want to thank you for your prayers and assistance during the time of the mourning.”
Looking at the life and career of John Amos one can specify that this actor started his job quite experimentally. He is an actor but before joining the acting fraternity, he was in the football playing field. He was a footballer for two seasons, playing for the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs in the 1960s, then became an actor in 1970.
His first show on television was the Bill Cosby Show but he got famous only for his characterization of Gordy Howard for The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He got his big break in the 1970’s playing in the show ‘Good Times’, which explores the funny side of a Black family. The show was still on air but in 1976 Amos decided to step down from the show, preferring for black characters to be depicted as realistic. The man demanded there should be a more realistic portrayal of the cab drivers, and, therefore, he quarreled with the producers of the show.
Following the popularity of Good Times, Amos was cast to the Hayselle soap-opera spin-off Roots, perhaps one of his most popular roles to date. He showed the adult Kunta Kinte and the awesome job done by him was nominated for an Emmy Award. It simply set him up as a legend in popular television culture and proved that he was certainly capable of doing dramatic parts.
Since the year 2000 John Amos has been continuing acting his role in the show Suits LA and he also featured in a documentary under the title America’s Dad. That, however, changed a few months ago when Amos fell ill. He was finally homebound from lung complications that also involved congestion around the heart and was recovering fine during fall.
John Amos leaves behind a rich legacy through his memorable performances in both film and television. He will be remembered not just as a talented actor but also as someone who stood for truth and authenticity in his roles. His impact on the entertainment industry and the hearts of his fans will never be forgotten.
