John Amos

John Allen Amos Jr. (December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024) was an American movie, television, voice, stage actor, former football player, and comedian. He was known for his roles as James Evans Sr. in Good Times and as adult Kunta Kinte in Roots. He also played Cleo McDowell in Coming to America and its sequel.

John Amos
Amos in 2011
Born	John Allen Amos Jr. (1939-12-27)December 27, 1939 Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	August 21, 2024(2024-08-21) (aged 84) Inglewood, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Congestive heart failure
Alma mater	Colorado State University (BA)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1970–2023
Known for	Kunta Kinte (adult) – Roots James Evans Sr. – Good Times
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Noel J. Mickelson ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1975)​ Lillian Lehman ​ ​ (m. 1978; div. 1979)​
Children	2

Amos was born on December 27, 1939 in Newark, New Jersey.^[1] He studied at East Orange High School, at Long Beach City College and at Colorado State University.

Amos was married to Noel J. Mickelson from 1965 until they divorced in 1975. He was later married to Lillian Lehman from 1978 until they divorced in 1979. He was then married to Elisabete De Sousa. Amos had four children.

Amos died of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Inglewood, California on August 21, 2024, at the age of 84.^[2] His death was announced over a month later on October 1.^[3]