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.”
‘We Left. As Did LOTS of the Crowd’: Fans Shame Miranda Lambert for Her Behavior at Montana Festival – What Happened?
Miranda Lambert is facing backlash for her behavior at the Montana Festival. On July 14, a video shared by an attendee shows Lambert reprimanding the crowd during her performance, causing many to leave. Wearing a cowboy hat and denim dress, she addressed the audience sternly, saying, “Are we clear?” and pointing out specific individuals.
One attendee noted, “We left. As did LOTS of the crowd,” while another criticized, “This is terrible.” A TikToker remarked, “Respect your fans more. Without them, you’d be some nobody working at Dairy Queen.”
However, some fans defended her. “Honestly she was amazing. We were right up front and loved every second of it,” one concertgoer praised. Another admirer commented, “She is just brutally honest. Something so many of us lack.”
This isn’t the first time Lambert’s actions have upset fans. At a past Las Vegas concert, she stopped performing “Tin Man” to scold women taking selfies, stating, “These girls are worried about their selfie and not listening to the song, and it’s pissed me off a little bit.”
Social media users have mixed feelings, with some calling her behavior “out of line” and others supporting her no-nonsense attitude.
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