John Allen Amos Jr. was born December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up in East Orange New Jersey and graduated from East Orange High School in 1958. Amos attended Long Beach City college and graduated from Colorado State University (CSU) with a degree in sociology. While attending CSU, Amos was a standout football player and went on to play for several minor league football teams. He also had brief stints with a couple of pro teams, the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.
John Amos began acting in 1970, his first major role was portraying the weatherman on the Mary Tyler Moore show from 1970-1973. He also appeared in McDonald’s commercials, then the hit show Good Times from 1974-1976 portraying James Evans Sr. In 1977, Amos starred in the ABC series Roots, as Kunta Kinte, based on a book written by author Alex Haley. He went on to star in several sitcoms and tv series such as “Sanford & Son,” “The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air,” “Two and A Half Men,” “The Cosby Show,” “The District,” “The West Wing,” and many more. He also appeared in movies such as “Coming To America,” “Player’s Club,” “Madea’s Witness Protection,” and “For Better or Worse,” to name a few.
Amos was not only a talented actor, but writer and producer as well. He wrote a one-man play, Halley’s Comet, that he performed around the world. Back in the states he joined the cast of Gem of the Ocean and performed on Broadway. Amos was nominated for an Emmy Award, NAACP Award and won three TV Land Awards.
Aside from acting, Amos served his country as a member of the New Jersey State National Guard and he was an Honorary Master Chief in the United States Coast Guard.
John Amos passed away August 21, 2024. Reportedly, he requested his death announcement be delayed until October 1, to prevent his daughter Shannon from turning it “into a circus.” Amos was 84 years old.
