John Amos: Roots, Good Times and The West Wing actor remembered
Photo credit: Getty Images
Many people are honoring actor John Amos, who left a significant impact on American television with his roles in the iconic series Roots and Good Times.
At 84 years old, Amos portrayed the tough yet caring father figure James Evans in the groundbreaking sitcom Good Times, which debuted in 1974 as one of the early shows centered around a Black family.
However, he was let go after three seasons due to intense and ongoing disagreements about how the show's white writers portrayed its characters.
He later portrayed the older version of Kunta Kinte in Roots, a groundbreaking TV drama that tells the story of an African man who is brought to America as a slave.
Amos appeared in movies such as Die Hard 2, Coming To America, and Uncut Gems.
He also appeared in various other television shows, such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The West Wing, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, 30 Rock, and Two and a Half Men.
His last performance will appear in the upcoming series Suits LA.
"His Legacy Will Endure"
In a heartfelt message on social media, fellow actor Martin Lawrence expressed his sorrow, saying, "This one really affects me. My deepest sympathies to the family of the legendary John Amos."
Jimmie Walker, John’s co-star from Good Times, expressed his condolences to People, saying, "John was an amazing actor, and I send my heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and all of his numerous fans."
In announcing Amos's passing, his son Kelly Christopher remarked, "He had the most generous spirit and was truly a kind-hearted person... and he was cherished by people everywhere."
Numerous fans view him as a father figure on television. He enjoyed a fulfilling life, and his remarkable contributions to both film and television will continue to be remembered.
Veteran weather anchor Al Roker shared that Amos consistently infused his performances with dignity, elegance, and sincerity.
He said, "I recall him as Gordy the Weatherman on WJM from The Mary Tyler Moore Show when he was beginning his career as a TV weather presenter in 1974. I looked up to him as a role model."
"When he left Good Times, people admired him for his decision. He will be remembered fondly."
Source of the image: Getty Images
Amos and Esther Rolle portrayed a married couple in the show Good Times.
Amos began his career as a football player in the United States before transitioning to acting in comedy shows like The Leslie Uggams Show and Maude.
His role in Maude, alongside his on-screen wife portrayed by Esther Rolle, eventually led to a spin-off titled Good Times, which took place in a high-rise housing project in Chicago.
Amos mentioned to Time magazine in 2021 that the show offered one of the most accurate portrayals of what it was like for an African American family navigating those situations.
However, the actor frequently felt that it wasn’t quite right, leading to disagreements with creator Norman Lear. The actor requested alterations to the scripts produced by the writing team.
"They would keep talking about their achievements," he mentioned during the SiriusXM radio interview.
He replied, "So, how long have you been part of the Black community? That's not something we usually see. We don't think like that, we don't behave that way, and we certainly wouldn't allow our kids to do that."
"Not The Most Diplomatic Person"
He was especially against the growing importance of his son JJ's character, portrayed by Walker, who was known for his catchphrase "dyn-o-mite."
Amos remembered feeling that there was an excessive focus on JJ in his chicken hat, exclaiming "dy-no-mite!" on almost every third page.
I believe that my other two children could have received just as much attention and development in the story. One of them, portrayed by Ralph Carter, had ambitions of becoming a Supreme Court justice, while the other, played by BernNadette Stanis, dreamed of becoming a surgeon.
"Back then, I wasn't exactly the most tactful person, and the producers grew frustrated with the constant threats to their safety over some jokes."
They suggested, "How about we just get rid of him? That way, we can move forward with our lives!"
It gave me a clear realization: I wasn’t as central to the show or to Norman Lear’s vision as I had believed.
In 1976, Good Times was transformed into a UK version called The Fosters, making it the first British sitcom featuring a completely black cast.
Norman Beaton portrayed the role of the father, while Lenny Henry appeared in one of his first roles as one of the sons.
Earlier this year, Netflix revived Good Times as an animated series, referring to it as a "spiritual sequel" to the original show.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Amos earned an Emmy nomination for his role in Roots.
In 1977, Amos transitioned to the production of Roots, a series that, according to the US Library of Congress, was viewed by at least 85% of households across the United States.
According to Amos, the mini-series inspired by Alex Haley's novel helped to raise awareness among Americans regarding the history of slavery and its ongoing effects today, as he mentioned in a 2022 interview with NY1 in New York.
"I realized that this was a pivotal role for me, both as an actor and on a personal level," he shared with Time.
It represented the peak of all the misunderstandings and typical roles I had experienced and witnessed throughout my life. It felt as though it was a prize for enduring those humiliations.
