“John Amos, Star of ‘Coming to America,’ Passes Away at 84”

John Amos, an actor of notable face from a number of favorite television and movie dramas, has died, aged 84, his son has confirmed.

Amos gained his first major prominence with his role as James Evans Sr., the hardworking father in the TV series Good Times, which was on air from the 1970s. His career went further to brighter heights with the role he performed as Kunta Kinte in the breakthrough 1977 miniseries Roots, dramatizing the incomparable brutality of slavery and consequently earning him an Emmy nomination.

In 1988, Amos was cast in the hot comedy Coming to America alongside Eddie Murphy, where he played the role of Cleo McDowell, Murphy’s love interest’s father.

“It is with great pain that I announce my father’s passing,” his son Kelly Christopher Amos said in a statement. “He had the warmest heart and a spirit full of goodness. He was loved by people across the globe, for many he was their television father.”

Kelly also mentioned that John Amos died from natural causes on August 21st in Los Angeles.

Speaking about his decades-long career in Hollywood, Amos had given his thoughts regarding race relations within the industry. He had said during an interview with Screen Rant, “Have we made strides? Yes, but we’re not completely there yet. True artistic and creative freedom is still a high bar even for white actors.”

Meanwhile, John Amos leaves behind evidence of his power as an actor, remembering performances that have also touched so many lives both within the industry and his loyal fans.