John Amos scored an Emmy nomination for the TV series Roots
Coming to America star John Amos has died at the age of 84. The US actor, who scored an Emmy nomination for the TV series Roots and starred in the 80s comedy hit opposite Eddie Murphy, died on August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes.
In a statement, his son Kelly Christopher Amos, said: "It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned. 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. My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life … he was my dad, my best friend, and my hero.”
READ MORE: First picture of 'lovely' dad who died after exposure to 'cleaning' chemicalREAD MORE: The teen whose promising life came crashing down when police looked inside his JD Sports bag
The star shot to fame in the 1970s when he played Gordy Howard, the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which led to his role as family patriarch James Evans Sr in the Norman Lear sitcom, Good Times. He went on to portray the older version of Kunta Kinte in the ground-breaking miniseries, Roots in 1977, for which he secured his only Emmy nomination.
Liverpool Echo IconSign up to FREE email alerts from ECHO Daily News Subscribe
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info
He would later star in the hit comedy Coming To America in 1988, playing Cleo McDowell, a fast-food restaurant owner who hires an African prince, played by Murphy – before reprising the role in the film’s 2021 sequel. He also played Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on acclaimed US drama The West Wing; and Major Grant opposite Bruce Willis in 1990's Die Hard 2.
His agent, Julia Buchwald, said: “We were so proud to represent John. He was not only a remarkable talent but also a deeply kind and generous soul. His impact on the industry and those who knew him will never be forgotten.”
