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.
Filmography (107 titles)
6.8ShowSuits LA
John Amos · 2025
6.7MovieThe Last Rifleman
Lincoln Jefferson Adams · 2023
5.9MovieMe Time
Gil · 2022
6.1MovieBlock Party
Dennis · 2022
MovieChristmas in Miami
Chief Host · 2021
2.3MovieBecause of Charley
Grandpa · 2021
6.3MovieComing 2 America
Cleo McDowell · 2021
2.0MovieThe Truth About Santa Claus
Bob · 2020
MovieThe Beastmaster Chronicles
Self · 2020
6.1MovieLive in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"
Fred Davis · 2019
7.3ShowThe Movies That Made Us
Self · 2019
2.0MovieChristmas Belles
Pop Pop · 2019
7.2MovieUncut Gems
Neighbor 33F · 2019
6.3ShowThe Last O.G.
Uncle D · 2018
7.4ShowThe Ranch
Ed · 2016
7.1MovieNorman Lear: Just Another Version of You
Self · 2016
10.0MovieMary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
Self / Gordy Howard (archive footage) · 2015
MovieTamales and Gumbo
The Patron · 2015
6.8ShowBallers
Deacon Eller · 2015
1.0MovieMercy for Angels
God · 2015
6.0MovieBad Asses on the Bayou
Earl · 2015
5.7MovieAct of Faith
Mr. Brady · 2014
5.0MovieAmerican Lowrider
Slick · 2013
6.1MovieMadea's Witness Protection
Pastor Nelson · 2012
6.2ShowNYC 22
Pappy Science · 2012
5.5MovieZombie Hamlet
Edgar Mortimer · 2012
6.7ShowRoyal Pains
Harrison Phillips · 2009
7.9ShowLie to Me
Jim Weaver · 2009
All Over Again
Coach Zeller · 2007
MovieAscension Day
Henry · 2007