John Amos, star of 1970s TV’s ‘Good Times’ and ‘Roots,’ dies at 84

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By Danielle Broadway

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -John Amos, the U.S. football player turned actor who was acclaimed for his roles in the 1970s TV series “Good Times” as well as the miniseries “Roots,” died on Aug. 21 in Los Angeles at age 84, his son Kelly Christopher (K.C.) Amos said.

Amos’ death, which was due to natural causes according to a press release, was not disclosed until Tuesday.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” his son said in a statement.

“He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold … and he was loved the world over,” he added.

Amos played the dad, James Evans, for 61 episodes of the sitcom “Good Times” in the mid-1970s and also the older Kunta Kinte in the TV miniseries “Roots,” based on the 1976 novel about slavery by Alex Haley. He also played the TV weatherman Gordy Howard in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the same decade.

Amos also had a brief professional football career in the 1960s.

While filming “Good Times,” Amos often advocated for a more authentic representation of the Black American family, criticizing the show’s writers for leaning in to racial stereotypes.

He was also a veteran of the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard and honorary master chief of the United States Coast Guard.

(Reporting by Danielle Broadway in Los AngelesEditing by Mary Milliken and Matthew Lewis)