John Amos, the talented television actor recognized for his performances in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Good Times, The West Wing, and Roots, has passed away at the age of 84.
His family shared that Amos died of natural causes in his Los Angeles home on August 21, but the announcement was only made public today.
“With deep sadness, I announce that my father has transitioned,” his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, said in a statement to Deadline. “He was a man with an incredibly kind heart and a golden spirit… loved by people everywhere. Many fans regarded him as their TV father.”
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos initially pursued a career in football, playing in the Continental Football League and the Atlantic Coast Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos in 1964 but was released before the season due to an injury.
His acting career, however, proved more successful. He gained recognition as weatherman Gordy Howard on the popular sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a role he held from 1970 to 1973.
Amos is best remembered for his portrayal of James Evans, the father in the classic sitcom Good Times. At just 34 years old when he was cast, he convincingly depicted a hardworking father of three living in a low-income housing project.
The show was lauded for its exploration of significant issues like poverty and racism. However, as the series progressed, Amos had disagreements with the writers and producers regarding the portrayal of Black families and the show’s shift toward broader comedic themes. After season 3, he was let go, and his character met his end in a car accident.
Shortly thereafter, Amos took on another defining role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots, for which he received an Emmy nomination.
He is also known for his role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the political drama The West Wing. Additionally, he had recurring roles in Two and a Half Men and The Ranch.
Among his notable film credits are Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, Die Hard 2, Coming to America, and its sequel.
“He led a fulfilling life, and his legacy will endure through his remarkable contributions to television and film,” his son expressed in the statement. “My father cherished his work as an actor throughout his life.”
“He was my father, my closest friend, and my hero. I appreciate your prayers and support during this difficult time.”
Little girl was abandoned by dad who said she was ‘dead’ to him – now she’s a famous actress
In 1975, a well-known musician met iconic actress Goldie Hawn at the height of their careers.
The two crossed paths while traveling from New York to Los Angeles on a first-class flight, and their connection was immediate.
The musician, a member of The Hudson Brothers, was already a prominent figure in the music world, having performed alongside The Beach Boys, The Osmonds, and The Monkees. In addition to his music career, he also appeared in films and TV shows, most notably the cult classic Hysterical.
Recalling their first encounter, the musician described the chemistry as undeniable. “The attraction was instant. I invited her out to dinner that night, and that was it,” he shared. Their relationship quickly escalated, with their physical connection being a central aspect.
“The [intimacy] was mind-blowing. Even when everything else in the relationship turned sour, the [intimacy] was always amazing,” he added, per the Daily Mail. Though their relationship had its ups and downs, there were moments when it seemed as though they were making progress.
The couple married in 1976 when Goldie was pregnant with their first child, a son. However, their son’s birth was not without complications. Born at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, he was diagnosed with meconium aspiration, a life-threatening condition in which a newborn inhales amniotic fluid contaminated with meconium.
The newborn was isolated for three days after birth, which deeply distressed the couple. “Goldie and I were beside ourselves,” the musician remembered. He further explained: “She was really sick, and I’d go from her bedside to the neonatal intensive care unit. The doctors didn’t think [son’s name] would make it. But [he] pulled through, and from that moment, he was our precious miracle.”
Three years later, the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter, in 1979. The family of four enjoyed several happy years together, but their marriage came to an unfortunate end in 1981 when the musician discovered Goldie had been unfaithful. The musician longed for a traditional marriage, which conflicted with Goldie’s views on commitment.
“Goldie was having affairs, [and] she told me pretty much on our wedding night that she wanted an open marriage, that she couldn’t imagine being faithful to one man for the rest of her life,” he revealed to the Daily Mail. “I wanted a traditional marriage, but Goldie couldn’t settle. Eventually, I moved out.”
After their split, Goldie began dating actor Kurt Russell in 1983. They had initially met in 1968 while filming The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, but it wasn’t until their reunion on the set of Swing Shift that their romantic relationship blossomed. Their son, Wyatt Russell, was born in 1986, three years into their relationship.
Blending their families proved to be a significant adjustment. Goldie’s daughter recalled: “For me, it felt like such a big moment because it was like, ‘My mom is madly in love with this guy.’” She added: “And I was meeting his son [Boston], which meant, ‘Does this mean that this is my brother?’ It was a lot to handle at such a young age.”
Goldie’s children from her previous marriage struggled with feelings of abandonment after their parents’ divorce. Her son recalled how their biological father gradually distanced himself from their family. Reflecting on a controversial Father’s Day post dedicated to Kurt, he said: “It doesn’t really matter which one of these men is my father. My pa stepped in when I was six and made me the man I am today.”
Both siblings have fond memories of Kurt stepping into the role of father figure. Though their relationship with their biological father, Bill, remains strained, they often express gratitude for Kurt’s dedication.
Meanwhile, Bill has openly voiced his feelings of betrayal, accusing Goldie of “poisoning” their children against him. Despite the tension, Kate and Oliver are focused on healing from their past and maintaining a positive outlook for the future, per Hello!.
By 2015, the strained relationship with Bill became public when Oliver posted a controversial Father’s Day message on social media. He shared a throwback picture of himself, Kate, and Bill, captioned: “Happy abandonment day… @katehudson.”
Bill, angered by the post, expressed his frustration in an interview, saying: “Oliver could have picked up the phone and called me, but he hasn’t. This was clearly premeditated; he chose the photograph and posted it on Father’s Day when he knew it would cause maximum pain.”
Bill went further to claim that if Oliver wanted to cut him out of their lives, he had succeeded. The fallout only deepened when Kate followed Oliver’s lead and posted her own tribute to Kurt, which added to the tension.
Kate appeared on Howard Stern’s show, speaking about how Kurt was the father who was present during the difficult and challenging times. In response, Bill stated, per the Daily Mail: “I would ask them to stop using the Hudson name [because] they are no longer a part of my life.”
He further expressed: “Oliver’s Instagram post was a malicious, vicious, premeditated attack; he is dead to me now, as is Kate. I am mourning their loss even though they are still walking this earth.” Following this, Bill decided to remove all childhood memorabilia of Kate and Oliver from his home, according to the Daily Mail report.
Despite the distance between Bill and his older children, Kurt has embraced his role as a grandfather to Kate and Oliver’s children.
While Bill continues to harbor resentment, Kate and Oliver have moved on, choosing to focus on the family bonds they’ve built with their stepfather, Kurt.
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