John Amos, ‘Roots’ and ‘Coming to America’ star, dead at 84

• John Amos has died at age 84.
• He was known for his acting work on TV and in movies.
• His credits include “Roots,” “Good Times,” and “Coming to America.”

John Amos, a beloved actor who starred in classic TV shows like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Good Times”—and had a memorable supporting role in “Coming to America”—has died at 84, according to numerous reports.

Business Insider reached out to Amos’ agent and publicist for comment, but didn’t hear back.

Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1939, Amos played football at Colorado State University. In the mid-1960s, he tried to make it in the pros, being cut from more than a dozen teams and even trying out for the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. He then turned to TV writing for comedy and later acting.

In 1970, Amos landed the role of WJN-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and his acting career took off from there.

Because he never lost “the New Jersey in me,” as he described it to Business Insider in a 2021 interview, Amos’ formidable presence and booming voice made him perfect for a wide range of roles.

Amos starred in the acclaimed 1977 miniseries “Roots,” for which he received an Emmy nomination, and played James Evans Sr. on “Good Times” from 1974 to 1976.

By the 1980s, he had pivoted to the big screen with memorable roles in 1982’s “The Beastmaster” and 1990’s “Die Hard 2.” The role he’ll perhaps be most remembered for is playing Cleo McDowell in the classic 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy “Coming to America” and its 2021 sequel, “Coming 2 America.”