His versatility extends to the theatre as well, which he declares as his first love. John has a great relationship with his kids. Photo of the Evans family from the television program Good Times. The 1970s represented a period of drastic changes in the TV landscape. }); However, it was a tumultuous time in the world around them. That show was the closest depiction in reality to life as an African-American family living in those circumstances as it could be, Amos says. Amos has one grand child,a grand-daughter, Quiera Williams. These were teenagers who werent a threat to society: they just caught a bad break at a bad time, he recalls. On-screen, he was married to Florida Evansplayed by Esther Rolleand they had three grown children: J.J.; Thelma; and Michael. His first marriage, from 1965 to 1975, was to artist and equestrian Noel Mickelson, with whom he has two children: Shannon Amos, a writer/producer and founder of Afterglow Multimedia, LLC, and Grammy-nominated director K.C. I thought that somewhere, God is proving that he has a sense of humor, he says. }); } sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. hitType: 'event', document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ Son K.C. } Eventually, he played on the Colorado State Rams football team. Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans and developed by Norman Lear, the sitcom featuring the Evans family, started off as a casual and honest portrayal of the inner city African-American family life back in the mid-1970s. Can you think of a better job than one where you know youre going to be laughing all day, and theyre serving you food, and then you go back to laughing some more?, he recalls about the original film. And when he arrived at The Mary Tyler Moore Show, he says the cast and crew welcomed him with open arms. Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get 's TikTok serves up a particularly generous helping of father-son bonding alongside Amos' responses to fan questions, including what it was like to work on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and his advice to current and future generationsall appropriately hashtagged #kickinitwithpops. 'Very open to the idea': Julia Wandelt takes DNA test to verify if she is missing Swiss girl Livia Schepp, Kayla Lemieux: Teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts suspended WITH PAY after pics show her dressed as man, Michael Schneider: Psychic detective gives '100%' verdict on whether Julia Wandelt is Madeleine McCann, Lindsay Clancy case: Psychologist reveals psychosis red flags family members could have spotted, 'We have lots to reveal': Madeleine McCann lookalike Julia Wandelt posts footage of meeting with PI probing claims. Amos. On the bright side, he won the recurring role of the sporadically-unemployed husband of maid Florida Evans (played by Esther Rolle) on Norman Lear's Maude (1972) starring Bea Arthur. His first marriage, from 1965 to 1975, was to artist and equestrian Noel Mickelson, with whom he has two children: Shannon Amos, a writer/producer and founder of Afterglow Multimedia, LLC, and Grammy-nominated director K.C. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); In 2017, Amos released his first children's book, A World Without Color, a children's tale of a young boy living in the gray, mundane town of Bleakersville before it comes to be inhabited by characters who bring color to it. It was brought to the fore on November 30, 2020, when Shannon shared several images of herself and her daughter as she celebrated the latter's 29th birthday. So, when the writers started to rely too much on the non-sensical humor of J.J, Amos was outspoken about his disappointment. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. },false) Known for his distaste for former president Barrack Obama, and support for sitting president Donald Trump, Walker still travels nationwide, touring for his stand up comedy routine. It meant so much to me on so many levels, Amos says. Hollywood star, John Amos, looked evergreen in new photos he shared with fans as he ages gracefully. I was younger, I was angry, I was mad at the world. 'Downton Abbey' Cast: Where Are They Now? I was a sign of the times that we just werent going to take any more, but hadnt developed the social graces to express our disfavor. He and Lear later reconciledand the pair shared a hug at a Good Times TV reunion special on ABC in 2019. | Photo: Getty Images. One time, a Pepsi commercial nearly cost him another acting job: I broke away on my lunch hour and started drinking these 16-ounce Pepsis. On February 8, 1974, CBS premieredGood Times the weekly sitcom that served as the first-ever TV show to highlight the full scope of a Black family. It was very, very sobering., Amos says the job gave him a greater appreciation for the whole judicial system and the inequities in it. Every time I played a correction officer or a law enforcement officer, whether it be military or civilian, I had those experiences to draw on. Rolle and John desired to give the Black-American family they represented a positive image with their casting. My parents would have no choice but to explain to me the mans frightening behavior. Hence, they had to kill him off. hitType: 'event', From 1974 to 1976, John Amos touched millions of lives as the iconic patriarch James Evans, Sr., on Good Times until he was unceremoniously dumped from the cast midway through its run. "Good Times" alum, John Amos had no hair out of place in the recent photos he shared on Instagram. As proof of his excellence as an actor, John was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2020, an honor he well and truly deserved. John Amos and Esther Rolle, 1974. Shannon spoke about it on her Instagram page while sharing a throwback photo of the couple. Marla Gibbs Remembers Giving Regina King Tough Love on '227' Set: 'We Can Argue If You Want To', Hilary Duff Says the 'Goal' Is to Have All 'HIMYM' Alums Guest on 'HIMYF' After Neil Patrick Harris, Charles Kimbrough, Best Known for 'Murphy Brown', Dead at 86, Jason Segel Says He's Open to a 'How I Met Your Father' Cameo: 'Those People Changed My Life'. When asked if those feelings led to his being kicked out of the show, John said Lear categorized him as a "disruptive element" when he called him to inform him about his sacking. ga('ads.send', { Free shipping for many products! This month, Amos will revisit one of his most iconic rolesthe wannabe burger magnate Cleo McDowellin Coming 2 America, the sequel to the beloved Eddie Murphy comedy, streaming on Amazon Prime starting March 5. When I went back to work, I couldnt finish the day because I kept belching every 30 seconds.. In the post's caption, he thanked Shannon for sending him the photo. In 1971, Amos was asked to take part in a singing-and-dancing commercial for the growing burger chain McDonalds, which had only started selling the Big Mac nationally three years prior. The Cast of 'Hanging with Mr. Cooper:' Where Are They Now? His clashes with the writers often marred John's time on the show. Amos has been a resident of Tewksbury Township, New Jersey.[4]. While Braugher has taken over the role for ABC's re-imagining of the . document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ Amos has been married two times. John has narrated his sacking from the show in several interviews. The iconic actor has held many recent roles and reprised his role as Cleo McDowell in the "Coming to America" sequel, "Coming 2 America," released in March 2021. John Amos, better known for his role as James Evans in the 70s series Good Times, was written off the show on its fourth season. A native of New Jersey and son of a mechanic, African-American John Amos has relied on his imposing build, eruptive nature and strong, forceful looks to obtain acting jobs, and a serious desire for better roles to earn a satisfying place in the annals of film and TV. is a director, writer, and producer, the same occupations his sister holds. Along with a few parts (the mini-movie Willa (1979) and the films The Beastmaster (1982) and Coming to America (1988)), he had to endure the mediocre (guest spots on The Love Boat (1977), "The A-Team", "Murder, She Wrote" "One Life to Live"). He has kept up a steady stream of appearances on movies and television alike, which constantly augments his income and keeps him fresh in the minds of his audiences. I danced with my father at his 80th Birthday and he asked, Whos leading, you or me? Blessings my friend. Another chimed in, I felt your energy of joy while your head was on his chest listening to his heartbeat., However, its not just Amos and Shannon who spent some good time together. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Magazines, Digital Although Amos fierce opinions got him fired, fans of the show complained about missing James Evans presence on the show, and for many people, Good Times lost part of its essence when Amos left. Past Commencement Speakers & Honorary Degree Recipients. ga('ads.send', { John felt the show would have gotten a great deal of mileage out of Thelma and Michael's aspirations to become a Supreme Court justice and surgeon. That is a very sobering feeling., To pay the bills, he took on many gigs in commercials. Throwback Thursday Interview: John Amos Reveals How Departure From 'Good Times' Went Down - Essence "I left because I was told that I had become a 'disruptive element,'" the actor told the. With each woman, he had two children. Jamie Foxx's 2 Daughters: Everything to Know. In the midst of it all, their love would produce a child (me). gads_event = event; It showed her lovingly dancing with her father toLuther Vandross' Dance with My Father. As a child I didnt know my parents were different colors. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { And some of his writers, who theorized what my reactions or the characters reactions would be, predicated on a Beverly Hills point of view for the most part., Exacerbating the situation was Amos temper, which he says was borne out of the PTSD he developed after playing professional football and boxing. She also posted a heartwarming tribute to her. He said he was glad and credited Lear for changing the face of television. } ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. Despite what happened on Good Times, Amos and one of the show's executive producers, the legendaryNorman Lear, would go on to resolve their differences and work together again creatively, something Amos attributes to "maturing" in how he expressed his beliefs. pg.acq.push(function() { Working with Eddie Murphy: I cant describe it to you. 'Very open to the idea': Julia Wandelt takes DNA test to verify if she is missing Swiss girl Livia Schepp, Kayla Lemieux: Teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts suspended WITH PAY after pics show her dressed as man, Michael Schneider: Psychic detective gives '100%' verdict on whether Julia Wandelt is Madeleine McCann, Lindsay Clancy case: Psychologist reveals psychosis red flags family members could have spotted, 'We have lots to reveal': Madeleine McCann lookalike Julia Wandelt posts footage of meeting with PI probing claims. pg.acq.push(function() { With the 'Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All in the Family and Good Times' special heading our way, it only makes sense to wonder where the main cast of the original that we so loved and adored is these days. At a fundraiser for a good cause in Denver, Colorado, in July 2021, John was captured on film by his son KC, who then posted it on Instagram. In a surprise nod to the original series which ran between 1974 and 1979 original cast member John Amos made an appearance on the live broadcast. John Amos (born December 27, 1939) played the part of James Evans Sr. in the first three seasons of Good Times. The show ran for six seasons from 1974 to 1979, but sadly, Amos character was killed in the first episode of the fourth season. In an article, K.C. On Father's Day, she shared several pictures of him and wished him a Happy Father's Day. }) John Amos at the 2nd Annual Giant Night of Comedy on September 26, 2016 in New York. Jean Elizabeth Himes, 96, of Newport passed away Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Amos. }); As we pulled into a gas station in Arizona, a white man came out of the service station w/ a loaded shot gun. As a student, he had been part of the inaugural desegregating classes of two schools in New Jersey. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { }); Having kids wipe their finger along your cheek to see if the black came off, or saying about my nose, Geez, can you breathe through that thing or walk through it?, But Amos says the teachers at those schools encouraged his thespian instincts and pushed him to explore his creativity. Amos appeared roughly a dozen times over the course of the show's first three seasons, and even though he left to take a regular gig on Good Times in 1974, his character was vital enough. Think of the word "princess" as more of a nickname and less of an adjective. eventAction: 'view' John regularly updates his Instagram page with pictures and videos showing his moments with his sons, family members, and friends. It was tooth and nail over what we felt was right. A native of New Jersey and son of a mechanic, African-American John Amos has relied on his imposing build, eruptive nature and strong, forceful looks to obtain acting jobs, and a serious desire for better roles to earn a satisfying place in the annals of film and TV. John Amos during the 2014 Doe Fund Benefit & Gala Celebration at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on October 30, 2014. }); Amos is a veteran of the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard and Honorary Master Chief of the United States Coast Guard.[2][3]. He is one of the greatest actors in American history and surely deserves the best. His filmography is expansive: The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles, John Amos Looks Back on 50 Years in Hollywood. At the time of their divorce, neither of them commented on the reason for their split. READ THIS NEXT:See '70s Icon Pam Grier Now at 72. As of March 2023, John Amos has an estimated net worth of $4 million. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! The case involved Mildred Loving, a black woman, and her white husband, Richard loving, who in 1958 were sentenced to a year in prison for marrying each other. While Amos did bring out the reality of a struggling family man in the 70s, he went on to quit the show after three of its six-year run owing to creative disputes with Lear. Amos is not just a great father but also an adoring lover and a husband. I wasnt even interested in being an actor and I was fascinated by everything that was involved in what it took to make these shows., He added: And the stories, I think, they continue to resonate. A Complete List of Christmas Movies Coming to Hallmark, Lifetime & More in 2019, The Black Shows That Revolutionized TV, from 'Julia' and 'The Jeffersons' to 'Empire', Janet Jackson Was 'Like a Little Sister' to 'Good Times' Costar BernNadette Stanis: 'Sweet as Pie'. She was best known for her role in the 'Good Times' parent show 'Maude', where she starred for two seasons, before venturing off to the sitcom that earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976. The check didnt bounce. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), "Let's face it, our planet, or at least the United States, is being confronted with divisiveness, the likes of which we haven't seen since the '40s and another generation coming along, not knowing the history of our country, and not knowing what's being lost with this divisiveness, is unacceptable," he said. If you have children, these are the things you'd really rather go unsaid. He is that character and he exudes that, and you in turn are obligated to give it back to him the same way., Amos isnt in Coming 2 America for long, but he commands a pivotal scene in which he advises Prince Akeem (Murphy) on his future. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), She also expressed love towards him. His depictions of those parts were also informed by a job he had taken soon after college: as a social worker at the Vera Institute of Justice, working with defendants at the Brooklyn House of Detention. The politically charged storyline was fitting for its Wednesday night airtime, as the broadcast was interrupted several times due to updates from the House of Representatives vote to impeach President Donald Trump happening simultaneously in Washington, D.C. For the All in the Family live show, actors Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Ike Barinholtz, Ellie Kemper, Kevin Bacon and Jesse Eisenberg also took on retro roles. hitType: 'event', The source of his revenue is his appearance on hit Television shows like Good Times. The no-nonsense and responsible Thelma, who was also a terrible cook, was played by BernNadette Stanis, who went on to author five books: 'Situations 101: Relationships', 'The Good, The Bad & The Ugly'; 'For Men Only'; 'Situations 101: Finances'; and 'The Last Night'. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online. John Amos was only 34-year-old when he earned the role as the middle-aged father of family, James Evans, on the first African American sitcom with two parents and a functioning family. You could go from being employed constantly at a handsome salary for a relatively long period of time and then may not work for five years, he says. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ 'In Living Color' Cast: Where Are They Now? Everything changed that day. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), A stand-up comic on the Greenwich Village circuit, the work eventually took him West and, ultimately, led to his hiring as a staff writer on Leslie Uggams' musical variety show in 1969. John's second marriage was to actress and producer Lillian Lehman, who is known for "Body of Evidence," "Defending Your Life," and "Spectres.". Because what the writers on the Norman Lear shows realize is that human nature hasnt changed, Braugher added.