Known from “Roots”: Busy TV father: US actor John Amos is dead

As a mainstay TV character and participant in a large number of series, John Amos was one of the defining faces of US television – he has now died at the age of 84, according to consistent US media reports. The actor died on August 21st in Los Angeles, as the New York Times reported, citing Amos’ publicist Belinda Foster. The industry magazine “Variety” and the newspaper “Washington Post” also reported on his death, citing representatives of the actor. A cause or why his death only now became public remained unclear.

Amos has been a fixture for American television audiences since his starring role in the 1970s sitcom “Good Times.” In it he played the father of a black working-class family in Chicago for several seasons. His role in the award-winning miniseries “Roots” made him internationally known. This epic also tells the story of an African-American family over seven generations. Amos also took on supporting roles in Hollywood blockbusters such as “The Prince of Zamunda” and “Die Hard 2”. “Many fans consider him their TV dad,” Variety quoted a statement from Amos’ son, Kelly Christopher Amos, provided to the magazine.

Get on stage with a short fuse and creativity

The “Washington Post” looks at the beginnings of Amos, who was born in Newark in 1939: After failed career attempts as a professional football player, he made his living as a lumberjack, restaurant manager and advertising copywriter, among other things. Eventually he found an outlet for his creativity and his “short fuse” on stage and performed sketches in nightclubs. His comedic talent brought him to CBS in 1969, first as a writer behind the camera and later as an actor in front of it.

His son wrote in his statement that he had a heart of gold and always loved working as an actor and most recently played himself in the series “Suits LA.” “He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding work as a performer in television and film.”