Share:

John Amos

Actor | * 12/27/1939 (84) | Newark, New Jersey (United States of America (USA))
2,910
John Allen Amos Jr. (born December 27, 1939) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries Roots and for portraying James Evans Sr. on the CBS television series Good Times. Amos' other television work includes The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on The West Wing, and the role of Washington, DC Mayor Ethan Baker in the series The District. Amos has appeared on Broadway and in numerous films in his five-decade career. He has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. On film, he has played numerous supporting roles in movies such as The Beastmaster (1982), Coming to America (1988), ()
Photo of John Amos

Early life Amos was born John Amos, Jr. in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Annabelle P. and John A. Amos, Sr., who was an auto mechanic. He graduated from East Orange (NJ) High School in 1958. He enrolled at Long Beach City College and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in sociology. Amos also played on the Colorado State Rams football team. Amos was a Golden Gloves boxing champion. In 1964, he signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Denver Broncos. He was released before the season and played with Joliet Explorers of the United Football League. In 1965 he played with the Norfolk Neptunes and Wheeling Ironmen of the Continental Football League. In 1966 he played with the Jersey City Jets and Waterbury Orbits of the Atlantic Coast Football League. In 1967, he had signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. He was released in training camp and played that year with the Victoria Steelers of the Continental Football League.

Most frequent genres for this person: Comedies | Drama | Crime

Known for these Movies & Shows

An African prince decides it’s time for him to find a princess... and his mission leads him and his most loyal friend to Queens, New York. In disguise as an impoverished immigrant, the pampered prin ...

Coming to America

R

1988 | 3.4/5 | 1h 57min
Comedy, Romance / Love
available on:
Watch now!
Frank Leone is nearing the end of his prison term for a relatively minor crime. Just before he is paroled, however, Warden Drumgoole takes charge. Drumgoole was assigned to a hell-hole prison after hi ...

Lock Up

R

1989 | 3.4/5 | 1h 55min
Action, Crime
available on:
Watch now!
Off-duty cop John McClane is gripped with a feeling of déjà vu when, on a snowy Christmas Eve in the nation’s capital, terrorists seize a major international airport, holding thousands of holiday ...

Die Hard 2

R

1990 | 3.5/5 | 2h 4min
Action, Thriller
available on:
Watch now!
Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, and developed by Norman ...

Good Times

Certification unknown

1974 | 3.9/5 | 30min per episode
Comedy
Search on Amazon.com
Watch now!
Ad Protect Your Online Privacy with a VPN

Don't risk your personal information and online activities being exposed to hackers, government surveillance, and other online threats. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP, giving you maximum security and privacy. Take control of your online safety, switch to a VPN now. Choose one of these services to learn more:

Movies with John Amos as Actor(57)

as Roger2023 Devotion
as Clinton2023 Capture the Flag
as Lincoln Adams2023 The Last Rifleman
as Gil2022 Me Time
as Dennis2022 Block Party
as Grandpa2021 Because of Charley
2021 Christmas in Miami
as Cleo McDowell2021 Coming 2 America
as Bob2020 The Truth About Santa Claus
as Neighbor 33F2019 Uncut Gems
as Fred Davis2019 Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"
as Pop Pop2019 Christmas Belles
as Officer Bill Bundy2016 Cops and Robin
as himself2016 Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
as Self / Gordy Howard (archive footage)2015 Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
as Earl2015 Bad Asses on the Bayou
as The Patron2015 Tamales and Gumbo
as Mr. Brady2014 Act of Faith
as Slick2013 American Lowrider
as Edgar Mortimer2012 Zombie Hamlet
as Pastor Nelson2012 Madea's Witness Protection
as Coach2007 Against Time
as Henry2007 Ascension Day
as Dutch2006 Voodoo Moon
as Jud2006 Dr. Dolittle 3
as Хилл2005 Shadowboxing
as Admiral Melory2004 Countdown
as (archive footage)2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
as Uncle Virgil2004 My Baby's Daddy
as Old Man Amos2003 The Watermelon Heist
as Mr. Swift2000 Disappearing Acts
as Rev. Washington2000 Something to Sing About
as Freeman1998 The Players Club
as Booker Hutch1997 The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda
as Gray1995 For Better or Worse
as Wes Strickland1995 Hologram Man
as Capt. Hodges1993 Night Trap
as Nat1992 Mac
as Reverend Styles1991 Ricochet
as Major Grant1990 Die Hard 2
as Det. Legrand1990 Two Evil Eyes
as Captain Meissner1989 Lock Up
as Mr. Mack1988 Bonanza: The Next Generation
as Cleo McDowell1988 Coming to America
as Taxi Driver1986 Shark's Paradise
as Dr. Conrad1985 American Flyers
as Esteban1983 Dance of the Dwarfs
as Seth1982 The Beastmaster
as Bumpy Johnson1980 Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
as Tony1980 Touched by Love
as Virgil1979 Willa
as Officer Bill Bundy1976 Future Cop
as Kansas City Mack1975 Let's Do It Again
as Coach Sam Archer1973 The World's Greatest Athlete
as Marine Corporal1973 The President's Plane Is Missing
as Biker1971 Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
as Super Soul's Engineer1971 Vanishing Point

TV Shows/Series with John Amos as Actor(30)

as himself2019 The Movies That Made Us
as Ed2016 The Ranch
as Uncle Burton2006 Psych
as Buzz2006 Men in Trees
2006 30 Rock
as Joe Anderson2003 All About the Andersons
as Ed2003 Two and a Half Men
as Mayor Ethan Baker2000 The District
as Percy Fitzwallace1999 The West Wing
as Glen Johnson (voice)1997 King of the Hill
1995 The Outer Limits
1995 In the House
as Sheriff James Mackey1994 Touched by an Angel
as Ernie Cumberbatch1994 704 Hauser
as Pastor Roscoe Jones1993 Walker, Texas Ranger
1992 Martin
as Fred Wilkes1990 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
as Doc Penrose1984 Murder, She Wrote
as Capt. Dolan1984 Hunter
1984 The Cosby Show
1983 Hardcastle and McCormick
as Rev. Taylor1983 The A-Team
1980 Here's Boomer
as Toby1977 Roots
as Older Kunta Kinte1977 Roots
as James Evans Sr.1974 Good Times
1973 Police Story
1972 Sanford and Son
as Minority Husband1971 The Funny Side
as Gordy Howard1970 The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Movies with John Amos as Crew(1)

Production/Executive Producer2014 Althea

Additional Information

Official websites:
Instagram
Full Name: John Amos
Born: Wednesday, 12/27 1939 (December) in Newark, New Jersey (United States of America (USA)) (current age: 84 years + 114 days)
Zodiac sign: Capricorn (Chinese zodiac sign: Rabbit)
Languages: English (EN)
Educated at: Long Beach City College, Colorado State University, East Orange High School
Spouses (current/former): Lillian Lehman
Other names for John Amos (nicknames, foreign languages etc.):
"Jon Amos"
"Johnny Amos"
John Amos frequently works together with these people:
David Herman (89x, Actor)
Phil Hendrie (19x, Actor)
Scott Klace (18x, Actor)
Phil LaMarr (14x, Actor)
Alan Fudge (12x, Actor)
Rachel Dratch (11x, Actress)
Eddie Gorodetsky (11x, Crew)
Stephen J. Cannell (10x, Crew)
Dave Thomas (10x, Actor)
Gregory Sierra (10x, Actor)
Frank Lupo (10x, Crew)
Tom 'Tiny' Lister Jr. (6x, Actor)
Maintain information on this page as an official partner
Is any information about this person incorrect or missing? Give us a hint!
WatchPlayStream ID: PEOPLE:1985, Added: 03/23/2018, Last updated: 04/03/2024