Sad news from Hollywood today, one of television’s most beloved father figures has passed away.
Actor John Amos, best known for his role in the iconic 1970s sitcom “Good Times,” has died at the age of 84.
News of Amos’ death was announced by his son, KC Amos.
“It is with genuine sadness that I share with you the news that my father has transitioned,” he said in a statement.
“He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold…He was loved all over the world. Many fans considered him the father of television. He lived a wonderful life. As an actor, His legacy will live on in his outstanding work in television and film.
John Amos and the Challenging Situation Comedy Era
“Amos” and “Good Times” are both representative of a bygone era in television.
The actor played a hard-nosed character on a show that often deals with difficult subject matter—until that wasn’t the case.
Amos was only eight years older than Jimmy “JJ” Walker, who played his eldest son on the show, but viewers weren’t confused about which star represented the no-nonsense authority in the family.
“Good Times” is a spin-off of “Maude,” itself a spin-off of “All in the Family,” the first American sitcom to depict a two-parent black family.
The show aimed to focus on serious social issues like the Norman Lear sitcoms that preceded it.
But as the popularity of Walker and his catchphrase (“dy-no mite!”) soared, Good Times began focusing more on his light-hearted antics.
This shift in tone understandably upset Amos and led to conflicts with Lear and the writing staff.
Amos takes a stand
Amos once told the Los Angeles Times: “The writers would rather put JJ in a chicken hat and have him jump up and say ‘DY-NO-MITE’ so they can waste a few minutes. , without having to write meaningful dialogue.
While Esther Rolle, who played Amos’ wife Florida Evans, was actually more outspoken in criticizing Walker’s character, it was Amos who was fired at the end of Good Time’s third season. Moss.
In a plot twist that many viewers deemed unnecessarily cruel, his character was killed while pursuing a business deal that would have allowed the family to move out of public housing.
In many important ways, “Amos” and “Good Time” were representative of their era.
different times
In this day and age, how many situational comedians would risk their jobs and future employment prospects to stand up for their principles?
How many modern sitcoms include “responsibly solving social problems in a timely manner” as part of their mission statement.
Situations like Amos’s are extremely rare these days, as television writers and actors have lowered the stakes, especially in the comedy world.
Of course, there are still some shows that deal with difficult subjects, but the average network sitcom might offer a “very special episode” over the course of an entire season.
“King Lear” has made a career out of confronting audiences with difficult issues, and Amos was rightfully upset when the producers abandoned that business model in favor of chasing easy laughs in “Good Times.”
Thankfully, John Amos went on to enjoy a long and illustrious career, with recurring roles on shows like Roots, The West Wing, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as starring in Die Hard Memorable appearances in films such as “The Last of Us” and “Uncut Gems”.
But he’s probably best remembered for his performance in “Good Times.”
His loved ones should be just as proud of his dismissal as they were of his performance on the iconic series.
Our condolences go out to the Amos family at this extremely difficult time.
Please share your fondest memories of John Amos’s outstanding career in the comments section below.
Watch good times online
