Actor John Amos, whose lengthy profession included a variety of iconic roles in such works as “Roots,” “Good Times” and “The West Wing,” died in August, his household mentioned Tuesday.
He was 84 when he died from pure causes in Los Angeles on Aug. 21, in accordance with a press release from the actor’s publicist.
“With a profession spanning over 5 many years, Amos leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking work on each tv and movie, and a dedication to constructive African American illustration in media,” the assertion learn.
Kelly Christopher Amos known as his father “my dad, my finest buddy, and my hero.”
“It is with heartfelt unhappiness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” the youthful Amos mentioned.
“He was a person with the kindest coronary heart and a coronary heart of gold … and he was beloved the world over. Many followers take into account him their TV father. He lived a great life. His legacy will reside on in his excellent works in tv and movie as an actor.”
Before getting on the display screen, Amos performed soccer at Colorado State and was short-time Kansas City Chief.
After leaving the gridiron, Amos’ massive appearing break got here in 1970 when he was forged as Gordy the weatherman on the beloved “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
But the function that cemented him as certainly one of TV’s nice sitcom dads got here in 1974, when Amos landed the function of stoic father James Evans on “Good Times.”
He starred in 61 episodes of the Norman Lear comedy a couple of hardworking household attempting to maintain their heads above water in a Chicago housing undertaking.
Amos then went on to play the grownup Kunta Kinte within the groundbreaking 1977 TV miniseries “Roots,” starring alongside a number of of that era’s best Black actors, together with Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton, Louis Gossett Jr. and Leslie Uggams.
Movie buffs may know him finest as quick meals magnate Cleo McDowell from 1988’s hit Eddie Murphy comedy “Coming to America,” or as Bruce Willis’ foil within the 1990 “Die Hard 2.”
His tv profession was revitalized in 1999 when he was forged on acclaimed White House drama “The West Wing,” the place he appeared for 5 seasons as Admiral Percy “Fitz” Fitzwallace.
“My father beloved working as an actor all through his total life …. most just lately in Suits LA taking part in himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, America’s Dad,” his son mentioned.