John Amos, a former running back turned actor, passed away on August 21 in Los Angeles at the age of 84.
Amos, renowned for his performances in iconic 1970s television shows such as the groundbreaking sitcom Good Times and the epic miniseries Roots, was celebrated for his efforts to challenge and defy demeaning portrayals of Black characters in Hollywood. His death was announced by the talent agency Buchwald, which represented him, though the specific cause of death was not disclosed. Questions have arisen as to why the family chose to keep the news of his passing private for several weeks.
Amos’ journey to stardom was far from conventional. Before finding his place in Hollywood, he pursued a career as a professional football player, a dream cut short after being released by 13 different teams, both in professional and minor leagues, largely due to injuries. This forced Amos to seek employment in various roles, including as a ditch-digger, lumberjack, restaurant manager, social worker, and advertising copywriter. Despite the setbacks, he managed to channel his frustrations and energy into comedy, crafting jokes and performing in nightclubs, where he quickly discovered his love for the stage.
Amos often said that being on stage gave him an opportunity to escape into different personas without facing the real-life consequences of his actions. It allowed him to express his frustrations in a creative way, all while winning over audiences. With a natural flair for performance and a drive to succeed, he eventually moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of bigger opportunities.
Amos’ journey into television, however, was not easy. He frequently encountered skepticism and discrimination in an industry that struggled to see beyond racial stereotypes. Recalling his early struggles, Amos once shared that when he would pitch comedy sketches to network executives, they would often doubt his comedic talents based solely on his appearance. “I’d go in when I first started in the business, trying to get a job as a writer, and they’d see a Black guy with a 19-inch neck,” Amos recalled in an interview with Newsday. “The reaction I got was, ‘What the hell could you know about comedy?’”
Amos’ big break came in 1969 when he became one of the first African Americans to be hired as a writer on a network television show. CBS’s The Leslie Uggams Show allowed him to showcase his skills not just as a writer but also as a performer. His comedic timing caught the attention of executives, leading to more opportunities on camera.
One of his most memorable film roles came in the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America, where Amos played Cleo McDowell, the proud owner of a fast-food restaurant that closely resembles McDonald’s. In a now-famous scene, Amos’ character insists that his establishment, McDowell’s, is no copycat of the fast-food giant, humorously pointing out that his “buns have no seeds” and that his restaurant’s logo features “Golden Arcs” instead of McDonald’s iconic golden arches.
Beyond comedy, Amos demonstrated his range as an actor by taking on more serious roles. He played a ruthless prison guard in Lock Up (1989) alongside Sylvester Stallone and appeared as a rogue Special Forces officer in the action-packed Die Hard 2 (1990) with Bruce Willis. But despite his forays into film, it was television where Amos truly made his mark, becoming a household name and an enduring figure on the small screen.
Throughout his career, Amos was known for his strong opinions and willingness to stand up for what he believed in, even when it put his career at risk. He credited his mother, who raised him in New Jersey as a single parent, for instilling in him a sense of self-respect and determination. Growing up, Amos was no stranger to adversity, having helped integrate schools during the 1940s and 1950s. His tough upbringing shaped his outlook and contributed to his reputation for being “hardheaded,” a trait he carried into his Hollywood career.
Amos was passionate about improving the representation of Black actors in Hollywood. At a time when Black performers were often typecast in roles as pimps or drug dealers, he advocated for more diverse and nuanced portrayals. His advocacy began to bear fruit in 1970 when he was cast as Gordy Howard, a weatherman on CBS’s The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The role was notable not only for giving a Black actor a recurring part in a major network sitcom but also for avoiding stereotypes. Amos’ character was a polished, intelligent meteorologist who stood out for his wit and professionalism, breaking away from the traditional portrayals of Black men on television at the time.
Amos’ career received another major boost in 1973 when producer Norman Lear cast him in Maude, a spinoff of the popular series All in the Family. Amos played Henry Evans, the husband of Florida Evans, a maid who worked for the show’s main character, Maude Findlay, played by Bea Arthur. The success of Amos and his on-screen wife, played by Esther Rolle, led to the creation of Good Times, where the couple became the center of their own show, portraying a working-class Black family living in Chicago.
In Good Times, Amos’ character, James Evans Sr., was a hard-working and principled father who struggled to provide for his family. The show tackled issues such as poverty, racism, and social justice, and Amos’ portrayal of a loving yet stern father figure resonated with audiences across America. However, behind the scenes, Amos often clashed with producers over the direction of the show, particularly concerning what he felt were negative stereotypes being reinforced by certain storylines. His outspokenness eventually led to his dismissal from the show after three seasons.
Despite the setbacks, Amos’ career continued to thrive. In 1977, he delivered one of his most powerful performances in the landmark miniseries Roots, where he played Kunta Kinte, an African man enslaved in America. Roots became a cultural phenomenon, and Amos’ portrayal of Kunta Kinte remains one of the most iconic roles in television history.
John Amos will be remembered as a trailblazing actor who fought for better representation of Black characters on television and film. His legacy lives on through the many roles he played and the impact he had on the entertainment industry.
