Veteran Hollywood actor John Amos, widely recognized for his roles in Coming to America and the 1970s sitcom Good Times, passed away at the age of 84 due to natural causes on August 21, as confirmed by his son, Kelly Christopher Amos.
In an emotional tribute, Kelly described his father as a man with a “heart of gold” and praised his lasting influence on fans worldwide.
“Many fans consider him their TV father. His legacy will live on through his remarkable contributions to television and film,” Kelly said.
Amos, a former Colorado State University football player with brief stints with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, found success in Hollywood after transitioning from sports.
He became known for playing Gordy Howard, the weatherman, on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of the older Kunta Kinte in the 1977 miniseries Roots.
His film career began with Melvin Van Peebles’ Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971), and he went on to star in Coming to America (1988), where he played the manager of a McDonald’s-inspired restaurant.
Ironically, before his acting career took off, Amos had worked in McDonald’s training and starred in a popular commercial for the chain in the 1970s.
