Good Times Dad, Roots and Mary Tyler Moore Star Was 84

John Amos, the star of “Good Occasions,” “Roots” and extra, died on Aug. 21 in Los Angeles of pure causes, his consultant confirmed to Selection on Tuesday. He was 84.

“It’s with heartfelt unhappiness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” mentioned his son Kelly Christopher Amos in a press release. “He was a person with the kindest coronary heart and a coronary heart of gold… and he was beloved the world over. Many followers think about him their TV father. He lived life. His legacy will dwell on in his excellent works in tv and movie as an actor. My father beloved working as an actor all through his complete life…. most just lately in ‘Fits LA’ taking part in himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, ‘America’s Dad.’ He was my dad, my greatest pal, and my hero. Thanks in your prayers and assist right now.”

Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, N.J., Amos’ appearing profession picked up when he landed the function of weatherman Gordon “Gordy” Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore present” in 1970.

From there, he introduced his comedic skills to CBS’ “Good Occasions,” a by-product of “Maude” and “All within the Household,” and performed father James Evans Sr. in 1974. The Norman Lear program made historical past as the primary TV present to comply with an African American, two-parent family. The hardworking and devoted father determine function resonated with audiences. After three seasons, nonetheless, Amos was displeased with the route of the present and portrayal of his character’s son, James “J.J.” Evans Jr. He was fired after Season 3, and Season 4 started by killing James Evan Sr. off-screen.

Amos obtained an Emmy nomination in 1977 for his function as grownup Kunta Kinte within the ABC historic miniseries “Roots.” The sequence, about slavery in the US, gained 9 Emmys, a Golden Globe and Peabody Award and obtained huge viewership within the nation. Greater than 130 million individuals tuned into the sequence, which was greater than half of the inhabitants of the U.S. in 1977. The ultimate episode holds the report for the third-highest-rated episode for any sort of TV sequence and the second-most-watched sequence finale in historical past.

Amos additionally appeared in reveals like “Concerning the Andersons,” “The West Wing,” “Two and a Half Males” and “The Ranch.” His last tv function will arrive within the forthcoming sequence “Fits LA.” On movie, he had roles in Eddie Murphy’s “Coming to America” and its 2021 sequel “Coming 2 America,” “Die Laborious 2,” “The Beastmaster,” “Lock Up” and “Me Tyme.” He and his son additionally produced the upcoming documentary about his life, titled “America’s Dad.”

“We’re so proud to have represented John,” mentioned Julia Buchwald, president of Buchwald. “He was not solely a exceptional expertise but additionally a deeply form and beneficiant soul. His affect on the business and those that knew him won’t ever be forgotten.”

Outdoors of movie and TV, Amos wrote, produced and starred in a one-man play, titled “Halley’s Comet.” He additionally appeared on Broadway in August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean.” Earlier than he started appearing, he performed faculty soccer at Colorado State College and suited up for the 1967 NFL offseason with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.