John Allen Amos Jr.[1] (December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024) was an American actor. He was best known for his role as Captain Meissner in Lock Up (1989) and Major Grant in Die Hard 2 (1990). He is also known as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries Roots and for portraying James Evans Sr. on the CBS television series Good Times.

John Amos. Actor: Coming to America. A native of New Jersey and son of a mechanic, African-American John Amos has relied on his imposing build, eruptive nature and strong, forceful looks to obtain acting jobs, and a serious desire for better roles …

Oct 1, 2024 · This interview with John Amos was originally published in 2015. We’re republishing it now with an expanded intro following the actor’s death at 84. John Amos was one of those actors fortunate enough to have more than one iconic role on his résumé. His two biggest parts were as patriarch James Evans Sr. on Good Times and the elder Kunta Kinte on epic miniseries Roots. But even his smaller ...

John Amos, who starred as the family patriarch on the hit 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots,” has died.

Oct 1, 2024 · John Amos, the actor known for his role as the family patriarch on the hit sitcom “Good Times” and the adult Kunta Kinte in the famed original miniseries “Roots,” has died, according to a...

5 days ago · John Amos played himself in the premiere episode of NBC's legal drama set in the Suits universe, Suits LA, which was his last onscreen performance.

Apr 7, 2025 · The real-life death of John Amos John Amos died in August, 2024, leaving behind a titanic presence on TV and film screens. He died mere months before the airing of Suits LA episode 7, and thus the show's tribute was both poignant and timely.

Oct 1, 2024 · John Amos, actor who starred in Good Times, Roots, and Coming to America, died August 21, 2024 of natural causes in Los Angeles.

3 days ago · LOS ANGELES — NBC’s “Suits LA” has said its final farewell to John Amos, months after the screen legend died late last summer.

Oct 1, 2024 · John Amos, the prolific actor known for his work in the sitcoms “Good Times” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” the movie “Coming to America” and the miniseries “Roots,” has died.