John Amos, the beloved actor from Good Occasions, Coming to America, Die Onerous 2, and Roots, dies at 84
The hits hold coming this week as phrase reaches the lots that John Amos, the beloved actor who performed James Evans Sr. on Good Occasions, Cleo McDowell from Eddie Murphy’s 1988 comedy Coming to America, and rather more, has handed away at 84.
Amos died on August 21 in Los Angeles of pure causes, his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, introduced.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” he stated in an announcement. “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.”
With a promising soccer profession forward of him whereas enjoying at Colorado State College, Amos set his sights on coaching camp tryouts for the Denver Broncos and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs of the American Soccer League. Whereas the gridiron life suited him, a profession in movie and tv took priority after scoring the position of WJN-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Present.
Audiences shortly warmed to John Amos, recognizing his expertise and uncanny means to rework into his characters. He earned an Emmy nod for his position as Toby, the grownup model of Junta Kinte, within the 1977 miniseries Roots. In 1974, Amos joined the solid of Good Occasions, enjoying James Evans Sr. With Florida actress Esther Rolle at his facet, the duo endeared themselves to audiences. Good Occasions, a present a couple of household dwelling in an inner-city Chicago house, resonated with viewers, cementing Amos’ legacy for generations by way of reruns and discounted field units.
Amos performed James Evans Sr. for 3 seasons earlier than discomfort with the fabric impressed him to stop the enduring sitcom. Amos felt the storylines round James and Florida’s oldest son, J.J. (Jimmie Walker), had been foolish and stereotypical. After bringing his criticism to the general public, plans started to jot down James out of the sequence. So, at the beginning of season 4, James Evans Sr. died in a automotive accident in a two-part episode, ending Amos’ run on the present. Followers of the present had been left gutted when the episodes aired in 1976.
Past Good Occasions, Mary Tyler Moore, and visitor roles on exhibits like Homicide, She Wrote, One Life to Dwell, Hunter, The Love Boat, and extra, audiences bear in mind Amos for his sensible position as Cleo McDowell in 1988’s Coming to America. Cleo, the proprietor of McDowell’s, a fast-food restaurant not in contrast to McDonald’s, offers Murphy’s Akeem his first job after relocating to Queens. Amos’ efficiency within the movie is heat, barely weasely, and unforgettable. Let’s not dismiss his sensible roles in The West Wing and Males in Timber. The checklist of Amos’ stable performances goes on and on.
John Amos’ appearing credit embrace 121 roles in movies, tv exhibits, and different media. His final function position is in Terry Loane’s 2023 drama The Nice Escaper, the place he performs Lincoln Jefferson Adams.
John Amos is survived by his son, Okay.C., and his daughter, Shannon. We at JoBlo want Mr. Amos secure passage to the Nice Hereafter and our honest condolences to his household, buddies, and followers.
