John Amos, prolific actor and Army veteran from Roots, The West Wing, dead at 84

John Amos, actor, producer, activist, veteran of the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard and Honorary Master Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard died at the end of August at the age of 84, although it wasn’t publicly announced until October 1. His death is mired in controversy with family drama, but one thing that’s indisputable was Amos’ talent. Amos portrayed pivotal figures in key series about People of Color, such as Kunta Kinte in the Roots miniseries, James Evans Sr. in Good Times, and critically acclaimed roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Coming to America, The West Wing as a Navy Admiral and Die Hard 2. He is credited with over 120 acting roles throughout his career. Amos tried his hand at football before coming to acting. He also appeared on stage and on Broadway during his 50-plus-year career.

A black and white photo of a smiling middle-aged man and woman. The man is seated with his arms crossed, wearing a plaid shirt and a dark vest. The woman stands behind him, leaning forward with her arms resting on his shoulders, wearing a light-colored short-sleeve top. Both have short curly hair and are looking directly at the camera. — Publicity photo from *Good Times*. Pictured are John Amos (James) and Esther Rolle (Florida). This was for the premiere of the show. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Amos was raised in East Orange, New Jersey,y and attended both Long Beach City College and Colorado State University, having earned a degree in sociology. He played football in college and was a Golden Gloves boxing champion. He did so well at football he played football in the UFL for the Canton Bulldogs and Joliet Explorers. Amos moved on to the Continental Football League to play for the Norfolk Neptunes and Wheeling Ironmen. He played in the Atlantic Coast Football League and finally earned a chance to play for the American Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs in 1967. His career was short-lived and he was cut by the Chiefs, returning to the Continental League to play for the Victoria Steelers.

A black-and-white photo of five African American people sitting and standing around a couch in a living room. A woman in a light-colored dress sits in the center, smiling and talking to a man in a plaid shirt seated next to her. To the left, a young girl with a beaded necklace and a boy in a jacket sit on the couch, while a young man in a turtleneck and hat leans on the back of the couch behind them. The background shows curtains, a lamp, and windows with a cityscape view. — A picture from the show *Good Times*. From left: Ralph Carter (Michael), BernNadette Stanis (Thelma), Jimmie Walker (J.J.), Esther Rolle (Florida), John Amos (James). Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

He got his first big break on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970 as the weatherman Gordy Howard. He was on the show until 1973 and during the early 70s he appeared in a McDonald’s commercial, in Vanishing Point as a radio engineer and moved into stardom as James Evans, Sr., in the show Maude. His role as James Evans, Sr. led to being cast in the spin off of Maude named Good Times in 1974. Good Times was a big hit, and Amos played the role of a working-class father of three as the show portrayed a positive image of the African-American family. The show examined the family facing challenges in their poor neighborhood which, when the show shifted towards being more comedic, Amos objected for many reasons. He is quoted as fighting with the writers, “That just doesn’t happen in the community. We don’t think that way. We don’t act that way. We don’t let our children do that.” He left the show at the end of the third season in 1976 as he was let go by executive producer Norman Lear.

A group of five men on a boat, four of whom are wearing white short-sleeve military uniforms with navy blue pants and white caps, standing near a railing with an American flag in the background. The fifth man, standing on the right, is wearing glasses and a beige shirt with a repeating "DAMANADA" pattern. The setting appears to be near a body of water with several boats and buildings visible in the distance. — Annapolis, MD (Aug. 8)–John Amos takes a moment to chat with crewmembers of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cochito before the Coast Guard Band concert. Amos is guest narrator at the Coast Guard’s 211th year Birthday celebration concert. USCG photo by Telfair H. Brown. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

His career continuned with roles in Hunter, Police Story, The A-Team, The Cosby Show, Sanford and Son, Murder, She Wrote, The West Wing as Navy Admial Fitzwallace (Charmain of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) and many more. Most notably in Roots, the Eddie Murphy-led comedy Coming to America and its sequel Coming 2 America as Cleo McDowell and in Die Hard 2 as the treacherous Major Grant. Some of his later roles involved hit sitcoms such as Two and a Half Men, The Ranch on Netflix, and Ballers. Amos also released an album of country songs called We Were Hippies and earned an Emmy Nomination for his role in Roots. He was married twice during his life and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2020.

Veterans’ activist and actor John Amos, star of the television series “Men in Trees” and former co-star of the program “Good Times,” addresses an audience gathered the 21st Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, May 25, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Amos is a former member of the New Jersey National Guard and honorary Master Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.