Why Was John Amos Fired from Good Times? The Late Actor Spoke About His Shocking Exit in a 2020 Interview

Although John Amos was an established actor by the time he was cast as James Evans Sr. Good timesthe star really nailed the role.

Starring Esther Rolle, Jimmie “JJ” Walker, Johnny Brown, Ralph Carter, Janet Jackson, BernNadette Stanis, Ja’net DuBois and others, Good times premiered on CBS in 1974. The sitcom produced by Norman Lear aimed to portray the life of a poor black family striving for better and going through their daily ups and downs while living in the Chicago housing projects.

After three successful seasons, Amos was killed off the show, in a move that shocked viewers. However, the decision appears to have been a long time coming, as Amos explained the struggles he had with the writers during his tenure.

“I felt like I knew more about what a black family should be and how a black father would act than our writers. None of them were black and their perception of what a black family and a black father would be is completely different from mine,” Amos told comedian Luenello in an interview with Vlad TV in 2020.

John Amos, Roots and Coming to America Actor died at 84: ‘A man with the kindest heart’

Ralph Carter, Esther Rolle, John Amos, Jimmie Walker and BernNadette Stanis in ‘Good Times’ 1974.

CBS/Getty

And while he and Lear had “a few emotional discussions,” the writers became a little more open to taking notes and making suggestions about how to make the series authentic and true. Still, Amos admitted that his delivery of said notes may not have always been the best.

“I wasn’t very tactful in my complaints about the script or points in the script,” he said. “I wasn’t the most diplomatic guy so it would often end up with me saying, ‘Well, let’s go out,’ and these were Hollywood writers, they weren’t used to that,” he recalled.

Eventually, things got to the point where the show’s writers just couldn’t work with Amos anymore and he was fired before the fourth season.

John Amos’ last role was in Suits: LA — See First Look

Although Amos and Lear didn’t end up on the best of terms when it came to that Good timesthe pair would work together on three additional pilots years later and manage to form a great relationship. The two even reunited to revisit the series Live in front of a studio audience: all in the family and good times in 2019

“It was beautiful. I cried because all the old wounds were healed,” Amos said of reuniting with Lear, who died in December 2023 at age 101.

He explained to PEOPLE in an interview in early 2024.

“We ended up being friends and it was a tumultuous relationship, which I loved,” he said. “There was conflict in that. But there was also harmony in the moments when we worked together. It was magic, whoever was being mentored, I knew I was in the hands of probably the most innovative and important person to ever grace television or any studio production drive He was a once in a lifetime, top innovator and had a great character.”

Ellie Kemper, Norman Lear, John Amos, Jimmy Kimmel and Jay Pharoah.

Eric McCandless via Getty

Beyond good times, Amos was known for his work in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Roots, Coming to America and west wing, among other series.

On October 1st, the actor’s son Kelly Christopher “KC” Amos, who was nominated for an Emmy, announced that the beloved actor passed away on August 21st.

“It is with sincere sadness that I share with you that my father has changed his life,” KC wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “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.”

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John’s daughter and KC’s sister, Shannon Amos, with whom he had been feuding for over a year, revealed that she learned about the actor’s death through the media.

“Our family received the heartbreaking news that my dad, John Allen Amos, Jr., passed on August 21st,” she said in an Instagram post. “We are devastated and have many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like many of you.”

She continued: “This should be a time to honor and celebrate his life, yet we struggle to overcome the wave of emotion and uncertainty surrounding his death. Yet there is some semblance of peace in knowing that my father is finally free.”

“My family and I deeply appreciate the outpouring of love, calls and messages. Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you,” she concluded her post.

Arguments between family members and friends continue to happen publicly.

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Source: HIS Education