Die Hard 2 and Roots star John Amos dies

John Amos, widely recognized for his performances in the 1977 miniseries "Roots" and "Die Hard 2," has passed away at the age of 84.

He passed away from natural causes on August 21, as stated by his publicist, Belinda Foster, but the information was only made public on Tuesday.

Amos portrayed James Evans Sr. on the show Good Times, which was notable for showcasing one of the earliest Black two-parent families on television.

Amos shared with Time magazine in 2021 that the show represented the most accurate portrayal of life for an African American family dealing with those situations.

Amos had a diverse filmography that included notable movies such as Let's Do It Again, starring Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier, Coming to America featuring Eddie Murphy, and Die Hard 2.

The influence of Good Times was so significant that artists like Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, and the Wu-Tang Clan referenced Amos or his character in their songs.

"His son, Kelly Christopher Amos, stated that numerous fans view him as a father figure on television."

He had a fulfilling life. His remarkable contributions to television and film as an actor will ensure that his memory endures.

"My father was passionate about his acting career for as long as I can remember. He was not only my dad but also my closest companion and my inspiration."

Amos was let go from Good Times after he expressed his concerns about the show's predominantly white writing team. He believed that the storylines they created didn’t accurately represent the experiences of the Black characters.

He recounted instances when he firmly responded, "No, those actions are unacceptable. They go against the values of Black communities. I'm knowledgeable about this, if you don’t mind," in an interview with Time magazine.

"The situation became so intense and contentious that in the end, removing my character from the show turned out to be the best choice for everyone involved, including me."

Amos' character met his end in a vehicle collision.

Jimmie Walker, his fellow actor, commented on the dispute: "If it had been my choice, I would have liked John to stay and for the show to keep its ensemble vibe."

"Not a single person wanted me in the spotlight all the time, and I certainly didn’t want it either."

Amos came into the world on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, as the child of a mechanic.

He earned his sociology degree from Colorado State University and was a member of the university's football team.

Before he decided to follow a career in acting, he relocated to New York and worked as a social worker at the Vera Institute of Justice, where he assisted defendants at the Brooklyn House of Detention.

He had a short career in professional football, competing in several smaller leagues.