John Amos, Roots and Coming to America Actor, Dies at 84: 'A Man with the Kindest Heart'

John Amos, who was best known for his roles Good times, The Rootsand Coming to Americadied. He was 84 years old.

The actor’s son, Emmy-nominated Kelly Christopher “KC” Amos, confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE that he died of natural causes in Los Angeles on August 21.

“It is with sincere sadness that I share with you that my father has changed his life,” KC wrote. “He was a man of the kindest heart and a heart of gold … and he was loved all over the world.”

He continued: “Many fans consider him their television 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 to work as an actor all his life,” he added. “Lately in Fits LA playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, American Dad. He was my dad, my best friend and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”

Julia Buchwald, President of Buchwald Talent Agency, also added: “We were so proud to represent John. He was not only an extraordinary talent, but also a deeply kind and generous soul. His impact on the industry and those who knew him will never be forgotten .”

John Amos.

Craig Barritt/Getty

Tribute to celebrities who died in 2024

The news comes almost a year and four months after Amos entered hospital due to fluid filling his lower body and causing heart problems. At the time, Amos’ rep said doctors had drained all the fluid and Amos had recovered.

The hospitalization came after his daughter Shannon claimed her father was a “victim of elder abuse” in June 2023, which he denied. She then filed a complaint with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and created a GoFundMe page to raise “care expenses” for Coming to America star, which she later removed at his request.

KC Amos and John Amos attend the 25th Annual Norby Walters 100 Stars Oscar Viewing Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 22, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California.

Tibrina Hobson/WireImage

In March 2024, Amos called the elder abuse allegations “false and unwarranted” in a statement to PEOPLE. He also called KC, 53, “a caring, thoughtful human being who respects me.” That same month, Shannon’s rep said in a statement to PEOPLE that the producer was concerned that her father’s health was “deteriorating despite multiple hospitalizations.”

“People think it’s about money and rivalry…it’s not.” Shannon said. “…I love my brother and I hope he gets the help he needs, but our priority is the safety of my father, who is vulnerable, first and foremost. Everything else we can handle within our family.”

At the time, the Los Angeles Police Department also launched an investigation into Shannon’s claims that her brother was not providing adequate care for their father due to his health problems. On April 8, the LAPD closed the case due to lack of evidence, much to Shannon’s disappointment.

However, Amos thanked the authorities for “their professionalism and thoroughness in the investigation”. He also promised to “shed light on the real truth about the motives of those who printed the false story about me” in a documentary he produced with his son.

John Amos and daughter Shannon during Cure Autism Now’s third annual “Acts of Love” After Party.

J. Sciulli/WireImage

How Mary Tyler Moore’s sight loss affected her final days and final TV appearance: ‘Everybody came to her’

Amos first came into the limelight in 1964 as a player for the Denver Broncos. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs before leaving the NFL for the Continental League, not ready to give up on his dream even after then-Chiefs coach Hank Stram reportedly told him, “You’re not a football player, you’re a young man who happens to play football.”

By 1970, the New Jersey native had made his TV debut, appearing on The Billy Cosby Showis repeated on The Tim Conway Comedy Hour and achieving his breakthrough role as Gordy Howard The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

After his tenure at The Mary Tyler Moore Show finished in 1973, he became a star as James Evans Sr Good timesthe first television show to highlight a black family. Amos fought for authentic depictions of black life to be shown on screen, which eventually led to his exit from the series in 1976.

John Amos and Esther Rolle in ‘Good Times’. CBS Photo Archive/Getty

Amos told VladTV that the producer’s “perception or their idea of ​​what a black family would be and what a black father would be was completely different than mine, and mine was immersed in reality.”

This resulted in Amos being told that “my services are no longer required as I have become a ‘disturbing element’.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I had a way to voice my differences against scripts that weren’t acceptable to the creative staff,” he said. “I mean, the writers got tired of putting lives at risk for jokes.”

The departure did not stop Amos’ career. In 1977, he starred in a revolutionary TV miniseries Rootswhich earned him his only Emmy nomination. “You don’t expect that kind of success because it’s a pipe dream and that’s one thing actors can’t afford,” Amos said Wrap in 2022. “We have to face reality.”

‘Coming to America’ Actors: Where Are They Now?

Amos’ TV career continued steadily throughout the ’80s and ’90s, during which he had roles in Hunter, 704 Hauser and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In 1988, he unforgettably starred in Coming to America as Cleo McDowell, the father of love interest and eventual life of Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy), and reprized the role in the 2021 sequel.

Amos had recurring roles District, The Andersons, West wing and People in the trees 2000s and continued to work until his death. It surprisingly appeared in 2019 Live in front of a studio audience special in which stars like Viola Davis and Tiffany Haddish recreated the 1975 Good times as Alderman Fred Davis, a man who ran for local office.

John Amos on ‘Good Times’. Eric McCandless/ABC

In 2022, Amos appeared most in movies Block Party and Time for meas well as the episode Fair gemstones.

“The truth is, when I started acting, I never thought I’d live this long, much less be an actor,” Amos told TVLine in 2022. “I’ve had a blessed career, and I attribute that to my faith in God and the fact that I raised. I had the opportunity to play a father in a situation comedy that many black fathers and men of all races could relate to and appreciate.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education