Meet John Amos, the multifaceted personality who captured our hearts as James Evans Sr. on the iconic TV series Good Times. He is a man of many talents and a seasoned actor with an impressive portfolio of athletic and artistic achievements. Known for playing the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries Roots and as James Evans Sr. on the TV series Good Times, John Amos had a massive impact on the film industry.
Beyond his legacy in the world, John Amos’s passing has left the world in sudden grief. This write-up will discuss everything you need about John Amos, including his early life, education, career, net worth, and personal life. We will also uncover the secret and cause of his sudden death.
Unknown Facts About John Amos
- John Amos was once a Golden Gloves boxing champion.
- During the late 1960s, he played professional football for the Norfolk Neptunes.
- John was inducted into the 2019-2020 Class of New Jersey Hall of Fame in the Arts and Entertainment category.
- John is the father of K.C. Amos and Shannon Amos.
Early Life and Education
John Allen Amos Jr., the son of Annabelle and John A. Amos Sr., was born in Newark, New Jersey, United States, on December 27, 1939. According to his birthday, he was born under the Capricorn astrological sign. John grew up in East Orange, New Jersey, where he attended and graduated from East Orange High School in 1958.
Following high school, John enrolled at Long Beach City College and graduated from Colorado State University, becoming a social worker with a degree in sociology. While in university, he played on the university’s football team. After college, John was a Golden Gloves boxing champion.
Quick Wikipedia
| Quick Biography | Answers |
| Birthday | December 27, 1939 |
| Full Name | John Allen Amos Jr. |
| Hometown | Newark, New Jersey, United States |
| Lives In | N/A |
| Net Worth | $300 thousand |
| Horoscope/Birth Sign | Capricorn |
| Age(dead) | 84 years old |
| Stage Name | John Amos |
| Profession | Actor |
| Father’s Name | John Amos Sr. |
| Mother’s Name | Annabelle P. Amos |
| Number of Children | 1 |
| Children’s Name | Shannon Amos |
| Husband/Boyfriend | N/A |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Lillian Lehman (m. 1978–1979), Noel J. Mickelson (m. 1965–1975) |
| Birth Year | 1939 |
| TikTok | N/A |
| Facebook Handle | N/A |
| YouTube Handle | N/A |
| Twitter/X Handle | N/A |
| Instagram Handle | @officialjohnamos |
| Snapchat Handle | N/A |
| Height | N/A |
| Body Measurements | N/A |
| Feet/Shoe Size | N/A |
| Color of Eye | N/A |
| Movies Starred | N/A |
| References | Wikipedia & IMBD |
Career
Football Career
In 1964, John Amos signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos. However, he was let go on the second training day due to a pulled hamstring. He subsequently played with several teams, including the Continental Football League’s Norfolk Neptunes, the United Football League’s Canton Bulldogs, and the Atlantic Football League’s Waterbury Orbits. In 1967, John inked a contract as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs and then moved back to the Continental League to play with the Victoria Steelers.
Film Career
From 1970 to 1973, John Amos gained popularity for his role as weatherman Gordy Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” However, his most well-known role was as James Evans Sr. on the CBS sitcom Maude. He continued to play James Evans Sr. on the sitcom Good Times from 1974 to 1976, alongside Esther Rolle, who portrayed his wife, Florida Evans, and Jimmy Walk.
In 1971, John made his cinematic debut, first in an uncredited role in “Vanishing Point” and subsequently as Biker in the blaxploitation film “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.” In 1973, he starred in Disney’s “The World’s Greatest Athlete,” starring Tim Conway. He later starred in the action comedy “Let’s Do it Again” alongside Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. In the 1980s, John appeared in films including “Touched by Love” with Diane Lane, “The Beastmaster,” “Dances of the Dwarfs” with Peter Fonda, “American Flyers,” “Coming to America” with Eddie Murphy, and “Lock Up” with Sylvester Stallone and Donald Sutherland.
During the 1990s, John began with the anthology movie “Two Evil Eyes” and the action sequel “Die Hard 2.” He then appeared in “Ricochet,” “For Better or Worse,” “Mac,” “Night Trap,” and “The Players Club.” In the 2000s, his credits included “My Baby’s Daddy,” “All Over Again,” “Countdown,” “Shadowboxing,” and “Dr. Dolittle 3.” John later appeared in Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Witness Protection,” the action picture “Bad Asses on the Bayou,” Adam Sandler’s murder thriller “Uncut Gems,” and the comedic sequel “Coming 2 America.”
Theatrical Career
Beyond the screen, John Amos has been involved in theatre. He both produced and authored “Halley’s Comet,” a one-man piece he performs internationally. He also starred “Gem of the Ocean,” first on Broadway and later at Princeton, New Jersey’s McCarther Theatre.
Net Worth and Career Earnings
How old was John Amos? The legendary American actor best known for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries Roots earned a considerable fortune from his fantastic career. At the time of his death, he had a net worth of $300,000. His influence on the entertainment business goes beyond his roles. John has been an influential figure, inspiring generations of actors with his commitment to his work and ability to overcome obstacles.
Real Estate and Financial Issues
In 1990, John spent $337,000 for a house in Lebanon, New Jersey. In December 2016, he placed his home for sale at $439,000. Unfortunately, he could not find a buyer, and the house was foreclosed two years later. Shannon, John’s daughter, created a GoFundMe page in June 2023 to raise $500,000 to support him.
Personal Life
John Amos was twice married. In 1965, he married equestrian and artist Noel Mickelson. They had two children, Shannon and K.C., and divorced in 1975. In 1978, he married actress Lillian Lehman, and they divorced in 1979. John lived in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, for many years. He served in the 50th Armoured Division of the New Jersey National Guard and is an Honorary Master Chief of the United States Coast Guard.
Death
On August 21, 2024, John Amos died of natural causes in Los Angeles. He died at the age of 84. However, his death was not made public until October 1, 2024. His daughter, Shannon, did not know that he died until the media reported it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. At what age did John Amos die?
Ans: John died at the age of 84.
Q. What was the cause of John Amos’ death?
Ans: John Amos died of natural causes.
Q. On which date did John Amos die?
Ans: John died on August 21, 2024, but his death was announced on October 1, 2024.
Q. How rich was John Amos?
Ans: John was worth $300 thousand during his death.
