The hits keep coming this week as word reaches the masses that John Amos, the beloved actor who played James Evans Sr. on Good Times, Cleo McDowell from Eddie Murphy’s 1988 comedy Coming to America, and much more, has passed away at 84.
Amos died on August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes, his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, announced.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” he said 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.”
With a promising football career ahead of him while playing at Colorado State University, Amos set his sights on training camp tryouts for the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. While the gridiron life suited him, a career in film and television took precedence after scoring the role of WJN-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Audiences quickly warmed to John Amos, recognizing his talent and uncanny ability to transform into his characters. He earned an Emmy nod for his role as Toby, the adult version of Junta Kinte, in the 1977 miniseries Roots. In 1974, Amos joined the cast of Good Times, playing James Evans Sr. With Florida actress Esther Rolle at his side, the duo endeared themselves to audiences. Good Times, a show about a family living in an inner-city Chicago apartment, resonated with viewers, cementing Amos’ legacy for generations through reruns and discounted box sets.
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