Good Times and Coming To America star John Amos dead at 84

Good Times and Coming To America star John Amos, who was known for being America’s ‘TV father’, has passed away aged 84.

John Amos, best known for playing James Evans Sr. on Good Times, has died at age 84.

The actor’s son, Kelly Christopher Amos, announced that his father passed away on August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes.

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

“He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold … and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”

Kelly said his dad “loved working as an actor throughout his entire life … most recently in Suits LA playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, America’s Dad.

Veteran Hollywood star John Amos has died aged 84. Picture: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Time Warner Inc

The actor is best known for his roles in Good Times and Coming To America. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

“He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time,” he concluded.

John got his start in showbiz after he landed the role of WJN-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1970 to 1973.

In 1974, he became a household name for his portrayal of James Evans Sr., the husband of Florida Evans, in the hit show Good Times.

Although John was originally cast in the CBS show as a hardworking father of three, he and his on-screen wife, played by Esther Rolle, wanted to portray a positive image of an African-American family on TV.

John would often clash with the writers of the show due to their refusal to show the family, who was financially struggling and living in a Chicago housing project, in a better light.

In a 2017 interview on Sway In the Morning, John claimed the writers did not understand black people and their experiences in America.

Good Times co-starred Ralph Carter, BernNadette Stanis, Ja'net DuBois, Amos, Esther Rolle and Jimmie Walker Picture: Alamy

“When the show first started, we had no African-American writers on the show, and some of the attitudes they had written, as per my character and, frankly, for some of the other characters as well, caused me to say, ‘We can’t do this, we can’t do that’,” he recalled.

“And they’d say, ‘What do you mean we can’t do this?’ They’d go on about their credits … and I’d look at each and every one of them and say, ‘Well, how long have you been black? That just doesn’t happen in the community,” he added.

“We don’t think that way. We don’t act that way. We don’t let our children do that’.”

John starred in three seasons of Good Times until he was fired by executive producer Norman Lear. His character was killed off the show at the start of Season 4 in 1976.

In 1977, John received an Emmy nomination for his role as adult Kunta Kinte in Roots.

The actor also has acting credits in several movies and TV shows, including The West Wing, The District, Hunter, Coming to America, Dr. Dolittle 3, The Player’s Club and many more.

Amos and his co-stars accepting the Impact Award for Good Times at the 2006 TV Land Awards in Santa Monica, California. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Last year, John’s children, Kelly and Shannon Amos, got into a public dispute over the alleged negligence of the actor.

Shannon claimed her brother wasn’t getting John, who was suffering from health issues, the proper care and the LAPD launched an investigation into the matter.

However, Kelly shared a video of their father in the hospital, accusing Shannon of causing him harm.

“My main issues are I feel like, prior to entering the hospital, I had some ongoing issues with my daughter, who I feel has taken advantage of me. She would be the primary suspect, if you would. She is the one that I would attribute my elderly abuse to,” he claimed.

Shannon denied her father’s claims, saying she only wants to “prioritise the safety of my father who is vulnerable, first and foremost.”

The Die Hard 2 star leaves behind his son, Kelly, and his daughter, Shannon, whom he shared with his first ex-wife, Noel Mickelson.

He was also previously married to actress Lillian Lehman from 1978 to 1979.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission