John Amos dies aged 84; Co-stars and celebrities pay tribute

Beloved TV dad John Amos died earlier this year at the age of 84, his family announced on October 1. The actor’s publicist said in a statement to NBC News that Amos died of natural causes on August 21 in Los Angeles. His son Kelly Christopher Amos also confirmed the news of his death. “It is with deep sadness that I inform you that my father has made the transition,” he wrote in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved around the world. Many fans consider him to be their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding work as an actor on television and film. My father loved working as an actor all his life…. Most recently, he played himself in “Suits LA” and in our documentary “America’s Dad” about his journey as an actor. He was my father, my best friend and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support during this time.”

In his younger years, Amos was an athlete; He played college football at Colorado State University and briefly played for the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1967 offseason. However, he achieved greater fame through his acting, including his groundbreaking role as weatherman Gordy Howard The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He also continued to play the patriarch Good timesthe first American sitcom to feature a two-parent black family. In 2015, Amos told Vulture that he took the “responsibility” of the role seriously, noting, “I knew millions of black people were watching. I knew my own father was watching. My own children were watching. And I had no intention of depicting anything less than cathartic.” He was also known for his work roots, Coming to America, The West Wing, The BeastmasterAnd Die Hard 2among many other projects.

Several former co-stars have expressed their condolences. “John was a great actor and my condolences go out to his entire family, his friends and his many, many fans.” Good times star Jimmie Walker said in a statement People. Coming to America Star Garcelle Beauvais shared a selfie with Amos on her Instagram Story with the caption, “I’ll miss you John” along with broken heart and prayer hand emojis. “I was lucky enough to meet this icon while filming #SuitsLA. My heart hurts. Peace to this man and love to this family,” Lex Scott Davis wrote in another Instagram Story tribute alongside prayer hand and flower emojis. Below are social media tributes from Martin Lawrence, Wendell Pierce and more.