“Good Times” dad and “Roots” star, dead at 84

John Amos, the prolific TV actor known for his roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Good Times, The West Wing and Roots, has died at 84. According to a statement from his family, the actor died of natural causes in his home in Los Angeles on August 21, though the news was not disclosed until today.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” his son Kelly Christopher Amos said in a statement, per Deadline. “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.

Born December 27, 1939 in Newark, New Jersey. Before becoming an actor, he had a notable career as a football player, playing in the Continental Football League and the Atlantic Coast Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos in 1964, but was cut before the season began due to an injury.

He had better luck as an actor: his breakout role was playing weatherman Gordy Howard on the beloved sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a role he played from 1970 to 1973.

Amos was best known for playing patriarch James Evans on the classic sitcom Good Times. Though he was only 34 when he was cast, he convincingly played a hardworking father of three, leading his family in a low-income housing project.

The show was praised for its depiction of serious issues including poverty and racism. But as the series went on, Amos clashed with the show’s writers and producers about how accurately the series depicted Black families, and disagreed with the direction it took towards broader comedy. Amos was dismissed from the show after season 3, and his character was killed off in a car accident.

But Amos soon landed another iconic role, in another landmark work of Black television, playing the adult Kunta Kinte on the miniseries Roots. Amos earned an Emmy nomination for his performance.

Amos is also remembered for his recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the White House drama The West Wing. He also had recurring roles on Two and a Half Men and The Ranch.

His notable films include Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, Die Hard 2, Coming to America and its sequel.

“He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor,” his son wrote in his statement. “My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life.”