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John Amos

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Birthdate

1939-12-27

Day of Death

2024-08-21

Place of Birth

Newark, New Jersey, USA

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 (58)

⭐ 6.6 Role: Lincoln Jefferson Adams

The Last Rifleman

2023
⭐ 5.9 Role: Gil

Me Time

2022
⭐ 6.1 Role: Dennis

Block Party

2022
⭐ 0 Role: Chief Host

Christmas in Miami

2021
⭐ 2.3 Role: Grandpa

Because of Charley

2021
⭐ 6.3 Role: Cleo McDowell

Coming 2 America

2021
⭐ 2.0 Role: Bob

The Truth About Santa Claus

2020
⭐ 0 Role: Self

The Beastmaster Chronicles

2020
⭐ 6.1 Role: Fred Davis

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"

2019
⭐ 2.0 Role: Pop Pop

Christmas Belles

2019
⭐ 7.2 Role: Neighbor 33F

Uncut Gems

2019
⭐ 7.1 Role: Self

Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

2016
⭐ 10.0 Role: Self / Gordy Howard (archive footage)

Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration

2015
⭐ 0 Role: The Patron

Tamales and Gumbo

2015
⭐ 1.0 Role: God

Mercy for Angels

2015