Trigger warning: This article mentions death.
John Amos, one of the most famous sitcom actors known for his roles in Good Times, Coming to America, Roots and others, has died of natural causes at the age of 84. The Emmy-nominated actor’s son Kelly Christopher, aka Casey, confirmed the sad news in a statement to People.
He wrote, “It is with great sadness that I share with you that my father has contracted the infection.” “He was a man with a kind heart and a heart of gold … and he was loved around the world,” Casey said, acknowledging how many viewers considered the late actor their “TV dad.” Amos has lived a good life and left a long legacy through his outstanding works in television and films.
“My father loved working as an actor all his life,” he said. Recently he appeared on Suits LA as himself and in his own documentary titled America’s Dad. “He was my father, my best friend and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time,” Casey concluded her statement.
A few months ago, Amos was hospitalized due to fluid filling his lower body and causing problems with his heart. However, his excess fluid was gone and he was on the road to recovery. The Coming to America actor first came into limelight in 1964 as a player for the Denver Broncos. He briefly played for the Kansas City Chiefs before leaving the NFL for the Continental League.
In 1970, he made his television debut with The Billy Cosby Show and eventually landed his breakout role as Gordie Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. After the show ended in 1973, Amos was cast for a role in a TV show highlighting the Black community called Good Times. The show was successful, but the actor’s persistence for authentic black representation led to his exit in 1976.
He told VladTV that the producers’ notion of a black family and depiction of a black patriarchy was completely different from his idea of what was steeped in reality. Since he had become a “disruptive element” and his services were no longer required, he happily exited the show. He later starred in the groundbreaking TV series Roots and earned an Emmy nomination. “You don’t expect that kind of success because it’s something to dream about and it’s something that actors can’t do,” Amos told The Wrap in 2022.
