A native of New Jersey and son of a mechanic, African-American John Amos has relied on his imposing build, eruptive nature and strong, forceful looks to obtain acting jobs, and a serious desire for better roles to earn a satisfying place in the annals of film and TV. He has found it a constant uphill battle to further himself in an industry that tends to diminish an actor's talents with severe and/or demeaning stereotypes and easy pigeonholing. A tough, often hot-headed guy with a somewhat tender side, John would succeed far better on stage than on film and TV...with one extremely noteworthy exceptions. Born on December 27, 1939, John was first employed as an advertising copywriter, a social worker at New York's Vera Institute of Justice, and an American and Canadian semi-professional football player before receiving his calling as an actor. A stand-up comic on the Greenwich Village circuit, the work eventually took him West and, ultimately, led to his hiring as a staff writer on 'Leslie Uggams' a director, writer and producer. Amos has one grand child,a grand-daughter, Quiera Williams.
Father of K.C. Amos & Shannon Amos.
Son of John Amos Sr..
Quit the show "Good Times" over complaints directed at him by fans and friends that the show was not a pleasant portrait of African-American life and somewhat insulting. To explain his absence from the show, his character on "Good Times" was killed in a car accident, ensuring his choice to leave was permanent.
He was spotted observing one of the trials of mobster John Gotti.
Was cast as the Evans father in "Good Times" despite being only eight years older than Jimmie Walker (who played J.J., the oldest son) and nearly nineteen years younger than Esther Rolle , who played his wife, Florida.
Played college football at Colorado State University.
Played professional football for the Norfolk Neptunes in the late 1960s
Was also a social worker (he headed New Yorks Vera Institute of Justice) and an advertising copywriter prior to pursuing a career as an actor.
Has also written comedy material for television and performed stand-up comedy in New York Citys Greenwich Village.
Amos was once a Golden Gloves boxing champion.
According to the Chinese calendar, he was born in the Year of the Rabbit.
Although he played Leslie Uggams s father in "Roots" , he is only three years her senior in real life.
Signed as a free agent contract with the American Football Leagues Kansas City Chiefs put was later strongly urged by their Head Coach Hank Stram to pursue his heart for writing.
Friends with Bea Arthur , and Louis Gossett Jr..
I love my work and am grateful to God to have a profession that brings,joy to so many.
They killed my character off and, as God would have it, just when they,told me I would never work again I got cast in a little program called,"Roots" (1977) and, as they would say, the rest is history. .
