John Amos, ‘Roots’ and ‘Coming to America’ star, dead at 84

John Amos, a beloved actor who starred in classic TV shows like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Good Times” and had a memorable supporting role in “Coming to America,” has died at 84 of natural causes, according to numerous reports.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Amos played football at Colorado State University. Following a short stint trying to make it in the pros in the mid-1906s and trying out for the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs, he turned to acting. In 1970, he landed the role of WJN-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and from there, his career took off.

Because he never lost “the New Jersey in me,” as he described it to B-17 in a 2021 interview, Amos’ formidable presence and booming voice made him perfect for a wide range of roles.

He starred in the acclaimed 1977 miniseries “Roots,” for which he received an Emmy nomination, and played James Evans Sr. on “Good Times” from 1974 to 1976. By the 1980s, he’d pivoted to the big screen with memorable roles in 1982’s “The Beastmaster” and 1990’s “Die Hard 2,” though the role he’ll perhaps be most remembered for is playing Cleo McDowell in the classic 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy “Coming to America.”