John Amos
John Amos (December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024) was an American actor and retired football player. He is best known for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries "Roots" and for portraying James Evans Sr. on the CBS television series "Good Times." He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. On film, he played numerous supporting roles in movies such as "The Beastmaster" (1982), "Coming to America" (1988), "Lock Up" (1989), "Die Hard 2" (1990) and "Coming 2 America" (2021). Prior to acting, he played on the Colorado State Rams football team and in 1964, he signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Denver Broncos and in 1967 signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. Both of these contracts did not land him a spot on the teams and played a final season in the Continental Football League with the Victoria Steelers before pursuing acting.
Acting
- 2025Suits LAJohn Amos1 ep.
- 2019The Movies That Made UsSelf1 ep.
- 2016The RanchEd1 ep.
- 2015BallersDeacon Eller2 ep.
- 2012NYC 22Pappy Science1 ep.
- 2006Men in TreesBuzz Washington30 ep.
- 2006PsychUncle Burton1 ep.
- 2003Two and a Half MenEd3 ep.
- 2003All About the AndersonsJoe Anderson16 ep.
- 2000The DistrictEthan Baker10 ep.
- 1999The West WingPercy Fitzwallace22 ep.
- 1997The Chris Rock ShowSelf1 ep.
- 1995In the House5 ep.
- 1994704 HauserErnie Cumberbatch6 ep.
- 1993Walker, Texas RangerPastor Roscoe Jones2 ep.
- 1992MartinSgt. Strawn1 ep.
- 1990The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirFred Wilkes4 ep.
- 1987Beauty and the BeastFarrell1 ep.
- 1984The Cosby ShowDr. Herbert1 ep.
- 1984HunterCaptain Dolan13 ep.
- 1983Hardcastle and McCormickAlbie Meadows1 ep.
- 1981Here's Boomer1 ep.
- 1980Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking StoryBumpy Johnson2 ep.
- 1977Future CopBill Bundy6 ep.
- 1977RootsOlder Kunta Kinte8 ep.
- 1977Roots: The Complete MiniseriesOlder Kunta Kinte1 ep.
- 1974Dinah!Self6 ep.
- 1974Good TimesJames Evans Sr.61 ep.
- 1972Sanford and Son1 ep.
- 1971The New Dick Van Dyke ShowMark Cooper1 ep.
- 1971The Funny SideMinority Husband14 ep.
- 1970The Mary Tyler Moore ShowGordy Howard13 ep.
Behind the camera
- 2025Suits LAIn Memory Of1 ep.
Guest appearances
- 2025Suits LAJohn Amos1 ep.
- 2021The Movies That Made UsSelf1 ep.
- 2020The Last O.G.Uncle D1 ep.
- 2019BallersDeacon Eller2 ep.
- 2017The RanchEd1 ep.
- 2012NYC 22Pappy Science1 ep.
- 2010Lie to MeJim Weaver1 ep.
- 201030 RockJohn Amos1 ep.
- 2010Royal PainsHarrison Phillips1 ep.
- 2010Two and a Half MenEd3 ep.
- 2008My Name Is EarlJoe1 ep.
- 2007PsychUncle Burton1 ep.
- 2006Men in TreesBuzz Washington11 ep.
- 1999The West WingPercy Fitzwallace22 ep.
- 2000The DistrictEthan Baker10 ep.
- 2000The Outer LimitsPeter 'Yas' Yastrzemski1 ep.
- 1998King of the HillGlen Johnson (voice)1 ep.
- 1997Walker, Texas RangerPastor Roscoe Jones2 ep.
- 1997MartinSgt. Strawn1 ep.
- 1997The Chris Rock ShowSelf1 ep.
- 1995In the House5 ep.
- 1994The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirFred Wilkes4 ep.
- 1995Touched by an AngelJames Mackey1 ep.
- 1988The Cosby ShowDr. Herbert1 ep.
- 1988Beauty and the BeastFarrell1 ep.
- 1987Murder, She WroteDoc Penrose1 ep.
- 1984HunterCaptain Dolan13 ep.
- 1984Hardcastle and McCormickAlbie Meadows1 ep.
- 1984The A-TeamRev. Taylor1 ep.
- 1983The Love BoatDuke Taylor1 ep.
- 1981Here's Boomer1 ep.
- 1970The Mary Tyler Moore ShowGordy Howard13 ep.
- 1977RootsKunta Kinte3 ep.
- 1976Police StoryWalt Kyles1 ep.
- 1975Dinah!Self6 ep.
- 1975The Mike Douglas ShowSelf1 ep.
- 1974The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonSelf1 ep.
- 1973Sanford and Son1 ep.
- 1971Love, American StyleBell Captain2 ep.
- 1972The New Dick Van Dyke ShowMark Cooper1 ep.
- 1971The Merv Griffin ShowSelf1 ep.
Also known as: Jon Amos · Johnny Amos · John A. Amos Jr. · John Allen Amos Jr.