John Amos
Acting
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.
Known for
Acting110
tvSuits LA
2025
John Amos
movieThe Last Rifleman
2023
Lincoln Jefferson Adams
movieBlock Party
2022
Dennis
movieChristmas in Miami
2021
Chief Host
movieBecause of Charley
2021
Grandpa
movieComing 2 America
2021
Cleo McDowell
movieChristmas Belles
2019
Pop Pop
movieUncut Gems
2019
Neighbor 33F
tvThe Last O.G.
2018
Uncle D
movieMary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
2015
Self / Gordy Howard (archive footage)
movieTamales and Gumbo
2015
The Patron
tvBallers
2015
Deacon Eller
movieAct of Faith
2014
Mr. Brady
movieMadea's Witness Protection
2012
Pastor Nelson
tvNYC 22
2012
Pappy Science
movieZombie Hamlet
2012
Edgar Mortimer
tvRoyal Pains
2009
Harrison Phillips
tvLie to Me
2009
Jim Weaver
All Over Again
2007
Coach Zeller
tv30 Rock
2006
John Amos
tvMen in Trees
2006
Buzz Washington
tvPsych
2006
Uncle Burton
movieVoodoo Moon
2006
Dutch
movieCountdown
2004
Admiral Melory
movieMy Baby's Daddy
2004
Uncle Virgil
movieTV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004
(archive footage)
tvAll About the Andersons
2003
Joe Anderson
movieThe Watermelon Heist
2003
Old Man Amos
movieDisappearing Acts
2000
Mr. Swift
tvThe District
2000
Ethan Baker
movieSomething to Sing About
2000
Rev. Washington
tvThe West Wing
1999
Percy Fitzwallace
movieThe Players Club
1998
Freeman
tvKing of the Hill
1997
Glen Johnson (voice)
movieHologram Man
1995
Wes Strickland
tvThe Outer Limits
1995
Peter 'Yas' Yastrzemski
tvTouched by an Angel
1994
James Mackey
tv704 Hauser
1994
Ernie Cumberbatch
movieNight Trap
1993
Capt. Hodges
tvWalker, Texas Ranger
1993
Pastor Roscoe Jones
movieMac
1992
Nat
tvMartin
1992
Sgt. Strawn
movieRicochet
1991
Reverend Styles
tvThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990
Fred Wilkes
movieDie Hard 2
1990
Major Grant
movieTwo Evil Eyes
1990
Det. Legrand
movieLock Up
1989
Captain Meissner
movieComing to America
1988
Cleo McDowell
tvBeauty and the Beast
1987
Farrell
movieShark's Paradise
1986
Taxi Driver
movieAmerican Flyers
1985
Dr. Conrad
tvMurder, She Wrote
1984
Doc Penrose
tvThe Cosby Show
1984
Dr. Herbert
tvHunter
1984
Capt. Dolan (uncredited)
tvHardcastle and McCormick
1983
Albie Meadows
movieDance of the Dwarfs
1983
Esteban
tvThe A-Team
1983
Rev. Taylor
movieAlcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
1980
Bumpy Johnson
tvAlcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
1980
Bumpy Johnson
movieWilla
1979
Virgil
movieCops and Robin
1978
Officer Bill Bundy
tvThe Love Boat
1977
Duke Taylor
tvFuture Cop
1977
Bill Bundy
tvRoots
1977
Toby / Kunta Kinte
Roots: The Complete Miniseries
1977
Older Kunta Kinte
movieFuture Cop
1976
Officer Bill Bundy
movieLet's Do It Again
1975
Kansas City Mack
tvDinah!
1974
Self
tvGood Times
1974
James Evans Sr.
movieThe President's Plane Is Missing
1973
Marine Corporal
tvPolice Story
1973
Walt Kyles
movieThe World's Greatest Athlete
1973
Coach Sam Archer
tvThe New Dick Van Dyke Show
1971
Mark Cooper
The Funny Side
1971
Minority Husband
movieVanishing Point
1971
Super Soul's Engineer
tvThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
1970
Gordy Howard
tvLove, American Style
1969
Bell Captain
movieDevotion
Roger
Crew1
tvSuits LA
2025
In Memory Of
Production1
movieAlthea
2014
Executive Producer