“Good Times,” “Coming to America” actor was 84 years old

John Amos, the Emmy-nominated actor known for his roles in “Roots,” “Good Times” and more, has died. He was 84.

Amos, who played the older version of Kunta Kinte in the acclaimed miniseries “Roots” and James Evans Sr. in the classic sitcom “Good Times,” died Aug. 21 in Los Angeles of “natural causes,” a representative for the actors said confirmed this to USA TODAY on Tuesday.

“It is with deep sadness that I inform you that my father has made the transition,” his son Kelly Christopher Amos said in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold…and he was loved around the world.”

“Many fans consider him their TV dad. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding work as an actor on television and film. My father loved acting throughout his life…most recently in “Suits LA” Playing Himself and our documentary “America's Dad” about his life's journey as an actor. He was my father, my best friend and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support during this time.

John Amos' films and television shows also included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, West Wing

Amos was born in Newark, New Jersey and had his first major role in 1970 when he began playing weatherman Gordy Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Not long after, he landed perhaps the defining role of his career as patriarch James Evans Sr. on “Good Times,” the groundbreaking Norman Lear sitcom that ran from 1974 to 1979 and was a spinoff of “Maude.”

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Amos demonstrated his dramatic chops in 1977 when he played Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots. The role earned him an Emmy nomination.

Over his five-decade career, Amos made dozens of other appearances, from Major Grant in Die Hard 2 to Cleo McDowell in the Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America. He reprized the latter character in the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America.

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Amos also had a memorable role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on “The West Wing” and in recent years has appeared in series such as “Two and a Half Men,” “The Ranch” and “The Righteous Gemstones.” He reportedly joined the cast of the Suits spinoff Suits LA earlier this year. According to an obituary from a representative, he played himself on the show for the first time in his career.

Amos served in the New Jersey State National Guard and, in addition to acting, also had a sports background, having briefly played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Colorado State University.

John Amos' films and television shows also included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, West Wing

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