US actor John Amos, best known for Good Times and Roots has died, aged 84.
He passed away on August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes, his representative confirmed.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” said his son Kelly Christopher Amos 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. My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life…. most recently in Suits LA playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, America’s Dad. He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”
His career began as weatherman Gordon Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970.
In Good Times, a spinoff of Maude and All in the Family, he played father James Evans Sr. in 1974. It was the first US show to follow an African American, two-parent household. After three seasons, Amos was displeased with the direction of the show and portrayal of his character’s son, James J.J. Evans Jr. He was fired after Season 3, and Season 4 began by killing James Evan Sr. off-screen.
Amos received an Emmy nomination for his role as adult Kunta Kinte in the 1977 miniseries Roots. More than 130 million people tuned into the series, which was more than half of the population of the U.S. in 1977. The final episode still holds the record for the third-highest-rated episode for any type of TV series and the second-most-watched series finale in history.
Other credits include About the Andersons, The West Wing, Two and a Half Men and The Ranch.
Film credits included Coming 2 America, Die Hard 2, The Beastmaster, Lock Up and Me Tyme.
His final television role will arrive in the forthcoming series Suits LA.
Source: Variety
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