John Amos
Biography
John Amos was an American actor and retired football player born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, and he died on August 21, 1942 (which is incorrectly listed as 2024 in the source, but the source notes the day of death as August 21, 2024 at 84 years old). Prior to acting, he played on the Colorado State Rams football team, signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Denver Broncos in 1964, and played in 1967. Known for 111 known credits, he was recognized for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the miniseries Roots and as James Evans Sr. on the CBS television series Good Times, earning nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. His film credits include The Beastmaster, Coming to America, Lock Up, Die Hard 2, and Coming 2 America.
Career overview
John Amos was an American actor and retired football player born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, who passed away on August 21, 2024, at the age of 84. Before beginning his acting career, he played on the Colorado State Rams football team, signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Denver Broncos in 1964, and played in 1967. Over the course of his career, he accumulated 111 known acting credits and became best known for his television work, notably playing the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries Roots and portraying James Evans Sr. on the CBS television series Good Times. His television performances earned him nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award.
In addition to his television success, Amos appeared in numerous supporting roles in feature films. His film credits include The Beastmaster in 1982, Coming to America in 1988, Lock Up in 1989, Die Hard 2 in 1990, and Coming 2 America in 2021. Throughout his extensive career on both television and film, he was also known by the alternative name Jon Amos.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
114 titles- Suits LA (2025) as John Amos
- Suits LA (2025) In Memory Of
- The Last Rifleman (2023) as Lincoln Jefferson Adams
- Me Time (2022) as Gil
- Block Party (2022) as Dennis
- Coming 2 America (2021) as Cleo McDowell
- Because of Charley (2021) as Grandpa
- Christmas in Miami (2021) as Chief Host
- The Truth About Santa Claus (2020) as Bob
- The Beastmaster Chronicles (2020) as Self
- Uncut Gems (2019) as Neighbor 33F
- The Movies That Made Us (2019) as Self
- Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times" (2019) as Fred Davis
- Christmas Belles (2019) as Pop Pop
- The Last O.G. (2018) as Uncle D
- The Ranch (2016) as Ed
- Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You (2016) as Self
- Ballers (2015) as Deacon Eller
- Bad Asses on the Bayou (2015) as Earl
- Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration (2015) as Self / Gordy Howard (archive footage)
- Tamales and Gumbo (2015) as The Patron
- Mercy for Angels (2015) as God
- Act of Faith (2014) as Mr. Brady
- Althea (2014) Executive Producer
- American Lowrider (2013) as Slick
- NYC 22 (2012) as Pappy Science
- Madea's Witness Protection (2012) as Pastor Nelson
- Zombie Hamlet (2012) as Edgar Mortimer
- Lie to Me (2009) as Jim Weaver
- Royal Pains (2009) as Harrison Phillips
- Ascension Day (2007) as Henry
- All Over Again (2007) as Coach Zeller
- Psych (2006) as Uncle Burton
- 30 Rock (2006) as John Amos
- Men in Trees (2006) as Buzz Washington
- Voodoo Moon (2006) as Dutch
- Dr. Dolittle 3 (2006) as Jud
- My Name Is Earl (2005) as Joe
- Shadowboxing (2005) as Хилл
- My Baby's Daddy (2004) as Uncle Virgil
- Countdown (2004) as Admiral Melory
- TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (2004) as (archive footage)
- Two and a Half Men (2003) as Ed
- All About the Andersons (2003) as Joe Anderson
- The Watermelon Heist (2003) as Old Man Amos
- Remembering Roots (2002) as Self
- The District (2000) as Ethan Baker
- Disappearing Acts (2000) as Mr. Swift
- Something to Sing About (2000) as Rev. Washington
- The West Wing (1999) as Percy Fitzwallace
- The Players Club (1998) as Freeman
- King of the Hill (1997) as Glen Johnson (voice)
- The Chris Rock Show (1997) as Self
- The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda (1997) as Booker Hutch
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Peter 'Yas' Yastrzemski
- In the House (1995)
- For Better or Worse (1995) as Gray
- Hologram Man (1995) as Wes Strickland
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as James Mackey
- 704 Hauser (1994) as Ernie Cumberbatch
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) as Pastor Roscoe Jones
- Night Trap (1993) as Capt. Hodges
- Martin (1992) as Sgt. Strawn
- Mac (1992) as Nat
- Ricochet (1991) as Reverend Styles
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Fred Wilkes
- Die Hard 2 (1990) as Major Grant
- Two Evil Eyes (1990) as Det. Legrand
- Lock Up (1989) as Captain Meissner
- Coming to America (1988) as Cleo McDowell
- Bonanza: The Next Generation (1988) as Mr. Mack
- Beauty and the Beast (1987) as Farrell
- Shark's Paradise (1986) as Taxi Driver
- American Flyers (1985) as Dr. Conrad
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Doc Penrose
- The Cosby Show (1984) as Dr. Herbert
- Hunter (1984) as Capt. Dolan (uncredited)
- The A-Team (1983) as Rev. Taylor
- Hardcastle and McCormick (1983) as Albie Meadows
- Dance of the Dwarfs (1983) as Esteban
- The Beastmaster (1982) as Seth
- Here's Boomer (1981)
- Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980) as Bumpy Johnson
- Touched by Love (1980) as Tony
- Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980) as Bumpy Johnson
- Willa (1979) as Virgil
- Cops and Robin (1978) as Officer Bill Bundy
- The Love Boat (1977) as Duke Taylor
- Roots (1977) as Toby
- Roots (1977) as Kunta Kinte
- Future Cop (1977) as Bill Bundy
- Roots: The Complete Miniseries (1977) as Older Kunta Kinte
- Future Cop (1976) as Officer Bill Bundy
- Let's Do It Again (1975) as Kansas City Mack
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Good Times (1974) as James Evans Sr.
- Police Story (1973) as Walt Kyles
- The President's Plane Is Missing (1973) as Marine Corporal
- The World's Greatest Athlete (1973) as Coach Sam Archer
- Sanford and Son (1972)
- The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971) as Mark Cooper
- Vanishing Point (1971) as Super Soul's Engineer
- Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971) as Biker
- The Funny Side (1971) as Minority Husband
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) as Gordy Howard
- Love, American Style (1969) as Bell Captain
- Love, American Style (1969)
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Information Processing as Self
- Devotion as Roger
- Future Cop: Cops and Robin as Officer Bundy
- John Amos: Roots of an American Legend as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Amos best known for?
John Amos is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Suits LA (2025), Suits LA (2025), Me Time (2022), Coming 2 America (2021).
When and where was John Amos born?
John Amos was born on December 27, 1939 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. They passed away on August 21, 2024.
How many credits does John Amos have?
John Amos has accumulated over 114 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1961 to 2025.
What is John Amos's background in cinema and television?
John Amos was an American actor and retired football player born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, and he died on August 21, 1942 (which is incorrectly listed as 2024 in the source, but the source notes the day of death as August 21, 2024 at 84 years old). Prior to acting, he played on the Colorado State Ram...