Wenslus Murape
LOS ANGELES. – Tributes have been paid to actor John Amos, who made his mark on US TV in the hugely popular landmark series Roots, and Good Times.
Amos, who was 84, played stern but loving patriarch James Evans in Good Times, one of the first sitcoms about a black family, from 1974.
But he was fired after three seasons following heated and long-running arguments about how the show’s white writers depicted its characters.
He went on to play the older Kunta Kinte in Roots, a milestone drama about an African man who is shipped to America as a slave.
Amos also had roles in films like Die Hard 2, Coming To America and Uncut Gems.
His other TV credits included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The West Wing, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, 30 Rock and Two and a Half Men.
His final role will be seen in the forthcoming series Suits LA.
Paying tribute, fellow actor Martin Lawrence wrote on social media: “This one hits different. My condolences go out to the family of a true legend, John Amos.”
His Good Times co-star Jimmie Walker told People: “John was a great actor and my condolences go out to his entire family, friends and his many, many fans.”
Announcing Amos’s death, his son Kelly Christopher said: “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.”
Veteran weather presenter Al Roker posted that Amos always “brought dignity, grace and honesty to his roles”.
He wrote: “I remember him as Gordy The Weatherman at WJM [in The Mary Tyler Moore Show] when we was just starting as a TV weather guy in 1974 and seeing him as a role model.
“And when he quit Good Times, people respected him for his stand. He will be missed.” – BBC
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