John Amos, the talented television actor recognized for his performances in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Good Times, The West Wing, and Roots, has passed away at the age of 84.
His family shared that Amos died of natural causes in his Los Angeles home on August 21, but the announcement was only made public today.
“With deep sadness, I announce that my father has transitioned,” his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, said in a statement to Deadline. “He was a man with an incredibly kind heart and a golden spirit… loved by people everywhere. Many fans regarded him as their TV father.”
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos initially pursued a career in football, playing in the Continental Football League and the Atlantic Coast Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos in 1964 but was released before the season due to an injury.
His acting career, however, proved more successful. He gained recognition as weatherman Gordy Howard on the popular sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a role he held from 1970 to 1973.
Amos is best remembered for his portrayal of James Evans, the father in the classic sitcom Good Times. At just 34 years old when he was cast, he convincingly depicted a hardworking father of three living in a low-income housing project.
The show was lauded for its exploration of significant issues like poverty and racism. However, as the series progressed, Amos had disagreements with the writers and producers regarding the portrayal of Black families and the show’s shift toward broader comedic themes. After season 3, he was let go, and his character met his end in a car accident.
Shortly thereafter, Amos took on another defining role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots, for which he received an Emmy nomination.
He is also known for his role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the political drama The West Wing. Additionally, he had recurring roles in Two and a Half Men and The Ranch.
Among his notable film credits are Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, Die Hard 2, Coming to America, and its sequel.
“He led a fulfilling life, and his legacy will endure through his remarkable contributions to television and film,” his son expressed in the statement. “My father cherished his work as an actor throughout his life.”
“He was my father, my closest friend, and my hero. I appreciate your prayers and support during this difficult time.”
The health issues of Tom Selleck
One of the select few who has achieved success in Hollywood is Tom Selleck. He has a ton of talent and is fortunate to have lasted this long in the industry. Though many aspire to work in Hollywood, only a select few actually succeed. Tom Selleck stands out as one of the notable exceptions.
When he was selected to portray the lead in Magnum P. I. it was a big break for this performer. For the highly successful program, he was nominated for five Emmy Awards and even took home one in 1985.
Before he was well-known, he appeared in a few TV series and movies in modest roles. V. shows, participated in The Dating Game, and appeared in advertisements. It’s evident that the incident did not prevent him from accomplishing his goals, even though he now describes it as “humiliating and unpleasant.”
The most well-known work of Tom Selleck is Magnum P. Me and My Friends. His career did not start off well; he was kicked out of talent programs and refused jobs.
He persevered in spite of this, and eventually he was successful. Selleck claims that his success can be attributed to the fact that he waited until he was 35 to land a reputable position. As a result, he developed into an actor that audiences were ready to acknowledge as a leading man.
Tom Selleck has said that if Magnum P. I. hadn’t worked, he would have given up acting altogether. In an interview, he disclosed this and said that the employment opportunity presented itself right as he was about to give up on his acting career. Finally, I would want to thank Magnum P. Selleck for being able to continue his work in the field he loves.
Another reason why people adore Selleck is that he played Frank Reagan in the television series Blue Bloods. He has been playing this role since 2010, and it has been agreed to renew the show for a thirteenth season.
Selleck acknowledges that his back is compromised and that his body has suffered from performing most of his stunts over the years. He is also no longer as physically fit as he once was. Despite this, he remains one of Blue Bloods’ key stars and makes a substantial contribution to the show.
Film stunt work entails taking a risk. However, you do spend a lot of time sitting around. For example, you may need to take a few minutes to sit in your chair after doing a combat scene.
If you’re not with someone to keep you warm and stretched out, this could be taxing on your body. You may eventually get tired from all the unpredictable movement.
The actor works hard on his Ventura, California ranch and is committed to keeping himself healthy. He also wishes to impart his great passion of horses to his daughter.
Selleck and Jillie Mack are astonishingly married after 35 years of marriage. Selleck is very close to his family since he always puts them first.
In his 2012 account of leaving Magnum to raise a family, Selleck claimed that it took some time to get off the train. However, he made sure to mention that the ranch had assisted him in achieving balance in his life.
“We both thought it was the best place for our daughter to grow up in,” his wife went on. Best wishes are extended to Tom Selleck.
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