Movies TV Shows Discover

John Amos

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

December 27, 1939

Died

August 21, 2024 (age 84)

Place of Birth

Newark, New Jersey, USA

Also Known As

Jon Amos

Johnny Amos

John A. Amos Jr.

John Allen Amos Jr.

IMDb Instagram Twitter

John Amos

Biography

John Amos (December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024) was an American actor and retired football player. He is best known for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries "Roots" and for portraying James Evans Sr. on the CBS television series "Good Times." He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. On film, he played numerous supporting roles in movies such as "The Beastmaster" (1982), "Coming to America" (1988), "Lock Up" (1989), "Die Hard 2" (1990) and "Coming 2 America" (2021). Prior to acting, he played on the Colorado State Rams football team and in 1964, he signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Denver Broncos and in 1967 signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. Both of these contracts did not land him a spot on the teams and played a final season in the Continental Football League with the Victoria Steelers before pursuing acting.

Filmography

2025TVSuits LAas John Amos 2023FilmThe Last Riflemanas Lincoln Jefferson Adams 2022FilmMe Timeas Gil 2022FilmBlock Partyas Dennis 2021FilmChristmas in Miamias Chief Host 2021FilmBecause of Charleyas Grandpa 2021FilmComing 2 Americaas Cleo McDowell 2020FilmThe Truth About Santa Clausas Bob 2020FilmThe Beastmaster Chroniclesas Self 2019FilmLive in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"as Fred Davis 2019TVThe Movies That Made Usas Self 2019FilmChristmas Bellesas Pop Pop 2019FilmUncut Gemsas Neighbor 33F 2018TVThe Last O.G.as Uncle D 2016TVThe Ranchas Ed 2016FilmNorman Lear: Just Another Version of Youas Self 2015FilmMary Tyler Moore: A Celebrationas Self / Gordy Howard (archive footage)2015FilmTamales and Gumboas The Patron 2015TVBallersas Deacon Eller 2015FilmMercy for Angelsas God 2015FilmBad Asses on the Bayouas Earl 2014FilmAct of Faithas Mr. Brady 2013FilmAmerican Lowrideras Slick 2012FilmMadea's Witness Protectionas Pastor Nelson 2012TVNYC 22as Pappy Science 2012FilmZombie Hamletas Edgar Mortimer 2009TVRoyal Painsas Harrison Phillips 2009TVLie to Meas Jim Weaver 2007FilmAll Over Againas Coach Zeller 2007FilmAscension Dayas Henry 2006TV30 Rockas John Amos 2006TVMen in Treesas Buzz Washington 2006TVPsychas Uncle Burton 2006FilmVoodoo Moonas Dutch 2006FilmDr. Dolittle 3as Jud 2005TVMy Name Is Earlas Joe 2005FilmShadowboxingas Хилл 2004FilmCountdownas Admiral Melory 2004FilmMy Baby's Daddyas Uncle Virgil 2004FilmTV in Black: The First Fifty Yearsas (archive footage)2003TVTwo and a Half Menas Ed 2003TVAll About the Andersonsas Joe Anderson 2003FilmThe Watermelon Heistas Old Man Amos 2002FilmRemembering Rootsas Self 2000FilmDisappearing Actsas Mr. Swift 2000TVThe Districtas Ethan Baker 2000FilmSomething to Sing Aboutas Rev. Washington 1999TVThe West Wingas Percy Fitzwallace 1998FilmThe Players Clubas Freeman 1997FilmThe Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagodaas Booker Hutch 1997TVThe Chris Rock Showas Self 1997TVKing of the Hillas Glen Johnson (voice)1995FilmHologram Manas Wes Strickland 1995TVIn the House 1995TVThe Outer Limitsas Peter 'Yas' Yastrzemski 1995FilmFor Better or Worseas Gray 1994TVTouched by an Angelas Sheriff James Mackey 1994TV704 Hauseras Ernie Cumberbatch 1993FilmNight Trapas Capt. Hodges 1993TVWalker, Texas Rangeras Pastor Roscoe Jones 1992FilmMacas Nat 1992TVMartinas Sgt. Strawn 1991FilmRicochetas Reverend Styles 1990TVThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airas Fred Wilkes 1990FilmDie Hard 2as Major Grant 1990FilmTwo Evil Eyesas Det. Legrand 1989FilmLock Upas Captain Meissner 1988FilmComing to Americaas Cleo McDowell 1988FilmBonanza: The Next Generationas Mr. Mack 1986FilmShark's Paradiseas Taxi Driver 1985FilmAmerican Flyersas Dr. Conrad 1984TVMurder, She Wroteas Doc Penrose 1984TVThe Cosby Showas Dr. Herbert 1984TVHunteras Capt. Dolan (uncredited)1983TVHardcastle and McCormickas Albie Meadows 1983FilmDance of the Dwarfsas Esteban 1983TVThe A-Teamas Rev. Taylor 1982FilmThe Beastmasteras Seth 1981TVHere's Boomer 1980FilmAlcatraz: The Whole Shocking Storyas Bumpy Johnson 1980TVAlcatraz: The Whole Shocking Storyas Bumpy Johnson 1980FilmTouched by Loveas Tony 1979FilmWillaas Virgil 1978FilmCops and Robinas Officer Bill Bundy 1977TVThe Love Boatas Duke Taylor 1977TVFuture Copas Bill Bundy 1977TVRootsas Toby 1976FilmFuture Copas Officer Bill Bundy 1975FilmLet's Do It Againas Kansas City Mack 1974TVDinah!as Self 1974TVGood Timesas James Evans Sr.1973FilmThe President's Plane Is Missingas Marine Corporal 1973TVPolice Storyas Walt Kyles 1973FilmThe World's Greatest Athleteas Coach Sam Archer 1972TVSanford and Son 1971TVThe New Dick Van Dyke Showas Mark Cooper 1971TVThe Funny Sideas Minority Husband 1971FilmSweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Songas Biker 1971FilmVanishing Pointas Super Soul's Engineer 1970TVThe Mary Tyler Moore Showas Gordy Howard 1969TVLove, American Styleas Bell Captain 1962TVThe Merv Griffin Showas Self 1962TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self 1961TVThe Mike Douglas Showas Self —FilmDevotionas Roger —FilmFuture Cop: Cops and Robinas Officer Bundy —FilmJohn Amos: Roots of an American Legendas Self —FilmInformation Processingas Self