Veteran Hollywood actor John Amos, best known for his roles in *Coming to America* and the 1970s sitcom Good Times, has passed away at the age of 84.
Amos died of natural causes on August 21, according to a statement from his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, released on Tuesday.
Kelly, in his tribute, expressed deep sorrow over his father’s death, remembering his kind and generous spirit. “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned.
He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold, and he was loved worldwide,” Kelly said. “Many fans consider him as their TV father. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
John Amos, originally a football player for Colorado State University with brief stints at the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, later transitioned to acting.
He gained early recognition as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Amos also earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of the older Kunta Kinte in the 1977 miniseries Roots.
Throughout his career, Amos starred in several TV shows and films, including Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971) and Coming to America (1988), where he played Cleo McDowell, the manager of a McDonald’s-like restaurant who hires Eddie Murphy’s character. Interestingly, Amos had worked at McDonald’s before his acting career, even appearing in a popular 1970s commercial for the fast-food chain.
Amos also had a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace in NBC’s The West Wing, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in television and film.
