"John Amos, beloved star of ‘Good Times’ and ‘Roots,’ passes away at 84"

Foster confirmed to CNN on Tuesday that Amos died of natural causes in Los Angeles on August 21. She also shared a statement from Amos' son, Kelly Christopher Amos, via email.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce my father’s passing,” the statement read. “He was a man of incredible kindness and a heart of gold. To many, he was their TV father. He lived a life well-loved, and his legacy will live on through his incredible work in television and film.”

Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Amos initially pursued a passion for football, playing at Colorado State University. Despite earning a degree in social work, he tried out for professional teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos, and the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.

In a video shared by the Chiefs, Amos recalled, “I was a slightly above-average high school football player. All I ever wanted was to play pro football as a way to lift myself out of the economic struggles I grew up in.”

Kansas City Chiefs coach Hank Stram famously told Amos during his brief stint with the team, “You’re not a football player, you’re a young man playing football.” This advice would later guide Amos toward a career in acting.

After working as a social worker and copywriter in New York, Amos transitioned to acting, landing the role of weatherman Gordon “Gordy” Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. This marked the beginning of his Hollywood career, leading to roles on popular 1970s shows such as Love, American Style, Sanford and Son, and The New Dick Van Dyke Show.

His breakthrough came as James Evans Sr., the stern but loving father on Good Times. In a 2020 interview, Amos reflected on his departure from the show after two years, citing disagreements with the white writers over the portrayal of the Black family at the show’s core.

“I believed I knew more about how a Black family and father should be portrayed than the writers, none of whom were Black,” Amos said. “Their vision was very different from mine, which was grounded in reality.”

Years later, Amos and the show’s creator, Norman Lear, reconciled. They famously hugged during the 2019 live TV reunion special of Good Times.

Amos made another lasting impact with his portrayal of Toby, the adult Kunta Kinte, in the 1977 miniseries Roots, which earned him an Emmy nomination. He later described the role as life-changing, not just for his career but also personally, as it symbolized overcoming the stereotypical roles he had encountered throughout his career.

Amos continued to charm audiences with roles like Cleo McDowell, the fast-food restaurant owner in the 1988 comedy Coming to America and its 2021 sequel.

In 2023, Amos faced personal challenges involving allegations of elder abuse and concerns about his health. He reassured fans at the time, saying, “I’m doing well. I was never in the ICU or fighting for my life.”

This story has been updated with additional details.