Good Times actor John Amos has died at the age of 84, according to his family.
The star died on August 21 in Los Angeles from natural causes, per The Hollywood Reporter.
‘It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,’ Amos’ son Christopher Amos 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.’
Amos famously portrayed patriarch James Evans in the first three seasons of CBS’ groundbreaking sitcom Good Times, which aired for a total six seasons between 1974-1979.
Actor John Amos has died at the age of 84
John famously portrayed patriarch James Evans in the first three seasons of CBS’ groundbreaking sitcom Good Times, which aired for a total six seasons spanning 1974-1979
He also played Gordy the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Kunta Kinte in the dramatic miniseries Roots, which earned him an Emmy nomination.
Amos went on to feature in over 200 TV shows and films, including The West Wing, Coming to America and Me Time.
The actor infamously left Good Times after three seasons over disagreements with the writing, which he felt leaned into stereotypes of African Americans.
Amos one said: ‘I wasn’t the most diplomatic guy in those days, and the show’s producers got tired of having their lives threatened over jokes.
‘So they said, “Tell you what, why don’t we kill him off? We can get on with our lives!” That taught me a lesson — I wasn’t as important as I thought I was to the show or to Norman Lear’s plans.’
The actor infamously left Good Times after three seasons over disagreements with the writing, which he felt leaned into stereotypes of African Americans
Amos shot to household-name status in the 1970s with his starring role as the patriarch James in Good Times
Earlier this year the LAPD closed an investigation into claims that Amos’ son was abusing him.
Amos’ daughter Shannon Amos had repeatedly accused his caretaker son K.C. Amos of ‘impersonating him in communications, disregarding his medical needs, and mishandling his finances.’
Adult Protective Services forwarded Shannon’s allegations to the LAPD, who discovered ‘there’s nothing seriously wrong’ with the 84-year-old Emmy nominee’s health.
Amos also played Kunta Kinte in the dramatic miniseries Roots, which earned him an Emmy nomination
It came shortly after Amos told People he was ‘feeling well and working diligently on various projects, including the docuseries that my son and I are producing, along with a music release.’
John welcomed both Shannon and K.C. during his decade-long marriage to his late ex-wife Noel ‘Noni’ Mickelson, which ended in 1975.
