Why was John Amos fired from Good Times? The late actor opened up about his shocking exit in an interview in 2020

John Amos played tough but loving patriarch James Evans Sr. on the hit CBS series.

Although John Amos was already an established actor when he landed the role of James Evans Sr Good timesthe star has really found his place in the role.

Starring Esther Rolle, Jimmie “JJ” Walker, Johnny Brown, Ralph Carter, Janet Jackson, BernNadette Stanis, Ja’net DuBois and more. Good times premiered on CBS in 1974. Produced by Norman Lear, the aim of the sitcom was to show the life of a poor black family striving for betterment and going through their daily ups and downs while living in the housing projects of Chicago.

After three successful seasons, Amos was dropped from the series, shocking viewers. However, it seems the decision was a long time coming, as Amos explained the difficulties he had with the writers during his tenure.

“I felt like I knew more about what a black family should be and how a black father would behave than our writers did. None of them were black and their idea of ​​what a black family and a black father would be was completely different than mine,” Amos told comedian Luenell in an interview for Vlad TV in 2020.

Related: John Amos, roots And Coming to America Actor dies aged 84: “A man with the kindest heart”

And while he and Lear had “some emotional discussions,” the writers became a little more open to taking notes and making suggestions about how to make the show authentic and true to life. Still, Amos admitted that his delivery of these notes may not always have been the best.

“I wasn’t very tactful in my complaints about the script or the script points,” he said. “I wasn’t the most diplomatic guy, so I often ended up saying, ‘Well, let’s go outside,’ and these were Hollywood writers, they weren’t used to that,” he recalled.

Ultimately, it came to a point where the show’s writers simply couldn’t work with Amos anymore and he was fired before the fourth season.

Related: John Amos’ final role was in Suits: LA – Check out the first look

However, Amos and Lear did not end on a good note Good timesThe two worked together on three more pilot projects years later and managed to build a great relationship. The two even got back together to revisit the show Live in front of a studio audience: All in the family and good timesin 2019.

“It was wonderful. I was moved to tears because all the old wounds were healed,” Amos said of reuniting with Lear, who died in December 2023 at the age of 101.

He told PEOPLE in an interview in early 2024.

“Ultimately we were friends and it was a tumultuous relationship, which is what I liked about it,” he said. “There were conflicts. But sometimes there was harmony when we worked together. It was magical who was being looked after, I knew I was in the hands of probably the most innovative and important character ever to appear on television or in a studio.” He was a master innovator and had great character.

Outside good times, Amos was known for his work in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Roots, coming to America And The West Wing, among other series.

On October 1, Emmy-nominated actor Kelly’s son Christopher “KC” Amos announced that the beloved actor died on August 21.

“It is with deep sadness that I inform you that my father has transitioned,” KC wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold…and he was loved around the world.”

He continued: “Many fans consider him their TV dad. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding achievements as an actor on television and film.”

“My father loved acting all his life,” he added. “Last in Fits LA plays himself and our documentary about his life as an actor, America’s father. He was my father, my best friend and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support during this time.”

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John’s daughter and KC’s sister, Shannon Amos, with whom he has been feuding for over a year, revealed that she learned of the actor’s death through the media.

“Our family received the heartbreaking news that my father, John Allen Amos Jr., transitioned on August 21st,” she said in an Instagram post. “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.”

She continued: “This should be a time to honor and celebrate his life, but we are struggling to navigate the wave of emotions and uncertainty surrounding his death. Still, there is a certain peace in knowing that my father is finally free.”

“My family and I deeply appreciate the outpouring of love, calls and text messages. Please continue to think of our family and pray. Thank you,” she concluded her post.

The back and forth between family members and friends continues to play out in public.

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Read the original article on People.