John Amos’ daughter says she learned of her father’s death through media reports

The daughter of late actor John Amos says she was “at a loss for words” when she learned from media reports this week that her father had died in August.

The death of August 21st Good times Actor was announced yesterday by his son, Shannon’s brother Kelly Christopher “KC” Amos. According to the announcement, John Amos died of natural causes in Los Angeles.

In an Instagram post last night (see below), Shannon Amos wrote: “I am at a loss for words… Our family received the heartbreaking news that my father, John Allen Amos Jr., transitioned on August 21st. We are devastated and have many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, as we, like so many of you, found out about it through the media.”

In the announcement of Amos’ death, no explanation was given for the months-long gap between the date of the actor’s death and its publication. Deadline has reached out to a rep for Kelly Amos for further comment.

The Amos family has been torn by disagreements for at least a year, with Shannon accusing her brother of failing to provide adequate health care to their elderly father, who died aged 84. In a June 2023 Instagram post, Shannon wrote that her father was a “victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation,” allegations that both Kelly Amos and John Amos denied. The Los Angeles Police Department investigated but closed the case due to lack of evidence.

After news of the split broke last year, John Amos told People magazine, “Suffice it to say, we’re still a family and we love each other, and that’s the bottom line.”

In last night’s Instagram post, which was accompanied by a poignant video of Shannon slow dancing with her father to the song “Dance With My Father” by Luther Vandross, Shannon Amos wrote: “This was supposed to be a time, his life to honor and celebrate, yet we find it difficult to cope with the wave of emotions and uncertainties that his death brings. Still, there is a semblance of peace knowing my father is finally free.”