Veteran Hollywood actor John Amos, renowned for his iconic roles in “Coming to America” and the beloved 1970s sitcom “Good Times,” has passed away at the age of 84. Amos died of natural causes on August 21, as confirmed by a statement from his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, on Tuesday.
In a heartfelt tribute, Kelly expressed profound sorrow over his father’s passing, emphasizing the actor’s generous spirit and the significant impact he had on fans worldwide. He shared, “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned. He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold, and he was loved all over the world. Many fans considered him their TV father. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
Amos, who was originally a football player at Colorado State University, had training camp stints with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs before transitioning into a successful entertainment career. He first gained recognition as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
A New Jersey native, Amos earned an Emmy nomination for portraying the older version of Kunta Kinte in the acclaimed 1977 miniseries Roots. He also had a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace in NBC’s West Wing.
His film career began with Melvin Van Peebles’ 1971 classic Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, and he went on to star in Coming to America (1988), playing the manager of a McDonald’s-like restaurant who hires Eddie Murphy’s character. Notably, Amos had previously worked in McDonald’s training and appeared in a popular 1970s commercial for the chain.
John Amos leaves behind a rich legacy in the entertainment industry, remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.