John Amos Passes Away, Good Times Actor Was 84

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As a gamer who grew up watching sitcoms, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia hearing about John Amos’ passing. His characters, particularly James Evans Sr. on Good Times, were a big part of my childhood television experience. I remember staying up late to catch reruns and laughing at his wit and wisdom.

John Amos has passed away. The Good Times actor was 84.

John Amos passed away at age 84 on August 21, 2024, in Los Angeles due to natural causes.

I’m deeply sorrowful to pass on this news: my beloved father has moved on. As I reflect, I remember him as a man whose heart was kinder than any other, pure gold in its essence, and adored by people across the globe. To many, he was more than just an actor; they considered him their television father. He lived a beautiful life, and his works in television and film will keep his memory alive for generations to come.

Back in 1939, I popped into this world on the 27th of December, right here in Newark, New Jersey. Later on, my passion for sports led me to join the football team at Colorado State University. After that, I got a shot at training camp with both the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

Amos began his acting journey back in 1970, portraying Weatherman Gordon “Gordy” Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Later, for 61 episodes, he starred as James Evan Sr. on Good Times. However, his tenure ended at the close of Season 3 due to creative differences with the writers.

Previously, Amos expressed that there were several points of contention. He felt an excessive focus was given to J.J., portrayed by Jimmie Walker, and his catchphrase “Dy-no-mite!” appearing frequently. He believed equal attention and potential could have been given to his other two children, one aiming for a Supreme Court position (played by Ralph Carter) and the other aspiring to become a surgeon (BernNadette Stanis). However, Amos admitted he wasn’t the most tactful in those days, which led to the producers growing weary of threats over jokes. They suggested, “Why don’t we kill him off? We can move on with our lives!” This experience taught him a valuable lesson – he was not as crucial to the show or Norman Lear’s vision as he thought he was.

Afterwards, Amos appeared in various shows including Future Cop, Hunter, 704 Hauser, Living in the White House, The West Wing, Political District, All About the Anderson Family, among others. He portrayed Fred Wilkes in three installments of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

He has appeared in a variety of films such as “The Beastmaster” (1982), “Coming to America” (1988), “Die Hard 2” (1990), “Madea’s Witness Protection” (2012), “Coming 2 America” (2021), and several others.

ComingSoon sends condolences to Amos’ family and friends at this time.

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2024-10-01 21:40