Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(138,917 posts)
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 02:48 PM Tuesday

John Amos, 'Good Times' Dad and 'Roots' Actor, Dies at 84

Source: Variety

Oct 1, 2024 10:55am PT



Courtesy Image


John Amos, the star of “Good Times,” “Roots” and more, died on Aug. 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes, his representative confirmed to Variety on Tuesday. He was 84.

“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.”

Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos’ acting career picked up when he landed the role of weatherman Gordon “Gordy” Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore show” in 1970. From there, he brought his comedic talents to CBS’ “Good Times,” a spinoff of “Maude” and “All in the Family,” and played father James Evans Sr. in 1974. The Norman Lear program made history as the first TV show to follow a African American, two-parent. household.

Read more: https://variety.com/2024/tv/obituaries-people-news/john-amos-dead-good-times-roots-1236161810/



Dammit. His is a heartbreaking loss. I remember reading years ago about how he battled the network due to the rampant stereotyping. It took a long time but the industry was slowly changed.

R.I.P., thank you for your great body of work, and condolences to the family.
38 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
John Amos, 'Good Times' Dad and 'Roots' Actor, Dies at 84 (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Tuesday OP
... littlemissmartypants Tuesday #1
Oh, how sad! I sure liked him on his performances. SWBTATTReg Tuesday #2
Maybe there were more effective TV actors in the 70s than John Amos in Good Times BeyondGeography Tuesday #3
Maybe Sherman Helmsley (same network) BumRushDaShow Tuesday #11
He died on Aug. 21, why was it not announced until October? RAB910 Tuesday #4
I noticed that too - weird AZSkiffyGeek Tuesday #5
This article has a one line that his son withheld the info - it didn't say why. iluvtennis Tuesday #15
thanks, still very strange. Not that I am going to pass judgment, people all grieve in their own way RAB910 Tuesday #18
When Beth Howland from Alice died her death wasn't reported for roughly five months so it does happen. cstanleytech Tuesday #35
Impressive in both Good Times and The West Wing. What a range of acting talent. Ramsey Barner Tuesday #6
I wondered if someone was going to mention his superb performance as Aristus Tuesday #26
Damn damn damn Prairie Gates Tuesday #7
Yeah. I posted it another thread. tulipsandroses Tuesday #10
Damn. And I just saw him in a rerun... Grins Tuesday #8
He was so good! Consummate actor. Tadpole Raisin Tuesday #9
NO! MuseRider Tuesday #12
I think Good Times really declined when he left the series. cstanleytech Tuesday #13
I agree. efhmc Tuesday #30
As the adult "Kunta Kinte" in "Roots" BumRushDaShow Tuesday #14
and The West Wing. elleng Tuesday #16
Loved, loved, loved him. May he Rest in Peace and May his Memory be a Blessing. 🙏 iluvtennis Tuesday #17
He wrote and... 2naSalit Tuesday #19
I remember him in "Hunter". Oopsie Daisy Tuesday #20
John Amos talking about "Gordy" on MTM SleeplessinSoCal Tuesday #21
"Ain't we lucky we got 'em..." Iggo Tuesday #22
I liked everything he done, he was A TRUE PROFESSIONAL. KS Toronado Tuesday #23
John Clouds Passing Tuesday #24
Tears LittleGirl Tuesday #25
Admiral Fitzwallace Mosby Tuesday #27
Yes. He had the persona to fill that role. Kaleva Tuesday #38
He was in so many TV shows, including a great episode of "My Name is Earl" (with Jerry Van Dyke) red dog 1 Tuesday #28
Both fathers from Coming to America lost within a month wysimdnwyg Tuesday #29
Sad losses indeed JoseBalow Tuesday #33
Loved his acting and saw every show he was in. From Roots to West Wing to The District, he was great. RIP, great one. ancianita Tuesday #31
Class. Pure class. Talitha Tuesday #32
He had a recurring role in the West Wing, and a paticular scene that stood out to me as a Master Class in acting. Torchlight Tuesday #34
John Amos was not just a great actor; he was a great man gohuskies Tuesday #36
RIP. Yavin4 Tuesday #37

BeyondGeography

(39,906 posts)
3. Maybe there were more effective TV actors in the 70s than John Amos in Good Times
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 03:00 PM
Tuesday

But I can’t think of any off the top of my head. He conveyed every human feeling he was asked to with incredible depth.

BumRushDaShow

(138,917 posts)
11. Maybe Sherman Helmsley (same network)
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 03:23 PM
Tuesday

They were around the same age but Helmsely pre-deceased Amos by a dozen years.

cstanleytech

(26,854 posts)
35. When Beth Howland from Alice died her death wasn't reported for roughly five months so it does happen.
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:53 PM
Tuesday

Aristus

(67,797 posts)
26. I wondered if someone was going to mention his superb performance as
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 04:32 PM
Tuesday

Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Percival “Fitz” FitzWallace. He brought incredible dignitas to The West Wing.

In a time when a lot of senior military officers were portrayed as bellowing buffoons, Amos’s FitzWallace was rational, measured, insanely competent, and devoted to duty.

Grins

(7,765 posts)
8. Damn. And I just saw him in a rerun...
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 03:18 PM
Tuesday

Couple weeks ago. A late night re-run of “Two and a Half Men.”

Amos played the rough, tough ex-Navy seaman who linked up with fellow ex-Navy seaman, Stacy Keach. Both gay who finally “found” themselves and set up living with each other. Both great in those roles.


MuseRider

(34,314 posts)
12. NO!
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 03:28 PM
Tuesday

I refuse this info. I have watched everything to see if he was in it for so long. He was so good. I do not know what he was like as a man but to me he was the best.

Crushing.

elleng

(135,051 posts)
16. and The West Wing.
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 03:44 PM
Tuesday

Percy Fitzwallace worked as a navy admiral, and served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for most of the Bartlet Administration, on The West Wing.



West Wingers taking the news hard.

2naSalit

(91,211 posts)
19. He wrote and...
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 04:00 PM
Tuesday

Performed a one man play back in the late 1990s, can't recall the title but he toured college campuses and small theaters with it, I saw it when he came to my campus. It was a very moving play and was totally worth going to. I admired him so much more after that.


RIP...

Mosby

(17,095 posts)
27. Admiral Fitzwallace
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 04:53 PM
Tuesday

From West Wing.

Those are the most recent memories I have about him. He was a great actor.

red dog 1

(28,892 posts)
28. He was in so many TV shows, including a great episode of "My Name is Earl" (with Jerry Van Dyke)
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 04:56 PM
Tuesday

Besides "Roots," & "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," I also remember him doing an episode of "Sanford & Son"

He appeared in more than 50 movies and nearly 60 TV shows.

R.I.P. John.

wysimdnwyg

(2,240 posts)
29. Both fathers from Coming to America lost within a month
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:03 PM
Tuesday

Everyone remembers - and rightly so - James Earl Jones from his performance as King Jaffe Joffer, but don’t sleep on John Amos’s Cleo McDowell, father of Eddie Murphy’s love interest Lisa (Shari Headley).

ancianita

(37,864 posts)
31. Loved his acting and saw every show he was in. From Roots to West Wing to The District, he was great. RIP, great one.
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:24 PM
Tuesday

Torchlight

(4,186 posts)
34. He had a recurring role in the West Wing, and a paticular scene that stood out to me as a Master Class in acting.
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:51 PM
Tuesday

He had the role of the Chairmain of the Joint Chiefs or somesuch talking one on one with the Pres and says something along the lines of "I don't know who the world's leading expert on warfare is, but any list of the top has got to include me, and I can't tell when it's peacetime and wartime anymore."

Entire scene was gripping. That line just kinda saw my blood run cold. It was one of "those" moments when I entirely forget I'm watching an actor perform.

gohuskies

(1,181 posts)
36. John Amos was not just a great actor; he was a great man
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 06:12 PM
Tuesday

This talented man gave so much more than great performances, he was a humanitarian and committed to equality and making the world a better place. Rest in peace Mr. Amos.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»John Amos, 'Good Times' D...