John Amos, the talented television actor recognized for his performances in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Good Times, The West Wing, and Roots, has passed away at the age of 84.
His family shared that Amos died of natural causes in his Los Angeles home on August 21, but the announcement was only made public today.
“With deep sadness, I announce that my father has transitioned,” his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, said in a statement to Deadline. “He was a man with an incredibly kind heart and a golden spirit… loved by people everywhere. Many fans regarded him as their TV father.”
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos initially pursued a career in football, playing in the Continental Football League and the Atlantic Coast Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos in 1964 but was released before the season due to an injury.
His acting career, however, proved more successful. He gained recognition as weatherman Gordy Howard on the popular sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a role he held from 1970 to 1973.
Amos is best remembered for his portrayal of James Evans, the father in the classic sitcom Good Times. At just 34 years old when he was cast, he convincingly depicted a hardworking father of three living in a low-income housing project.
The show was lauded for its exploration of significant issues like poverty and racism. However, as the series progressed, Amos had disagreements with the writers and producers regarding the portrayal of Black families and the show’s shift toward broader comedic themes. After season 3, he was let go, and his character met his end in a car accident.
Shortly thereafter, Amos took on another defining role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots, for which he received an Emmy nomination.
He is also known for his role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the political drama The West Wing. Additionally, he had recurring roles in Two and a Half Men and The Ranch.
Among his notable film credits are Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, Die Hard 2, Coming to America, and its sequel.
“He led a fulfilling life, and his legacy will endure through his remarkable contributions to television and film,” his son expressed in the statement. “My father cherished his work as an actor throughout his life.”
“He was my father, my closest friend, and my hero. I appreciate your prayers and support during this difficult time.”
A Journey of Love and Hope: Sadie and Jarvis’s Incredible Adoption Story
Seeking to Get Pregnant
Jarvis and Sadie Sampson had aspirations of becoming parents to each other. They used fertility treatments and ovulation testing in an attempt to conceive naturally. They hoped and prayed for a positive pregnancy test for 14 long months, but every month brought despair.
Getting Medical Assistance
Sadie and Jarvis went to the physicians in a desperate attempt to get answers. Sadly, the only advice given to them was to try losing weight. Sadie lost 28 pounds after undergoing gastric surgery in the hopes of improving their chances of becoming pregnant. However, their desire to have a biological kid remained unfulfilled even after they lost the weight.
A Text That Completely Shifted Everything
Sadie and Jarvis received a text message that would permanently change their life just when they were beginning to lose hope. A friend inquired if they would think about providing temporary care for an infant in need of foster care. The pair hesitated for a moment but then consented. They had no idea that this choice would usher in the most amazing chapter of their life.
Fostering to Adoption
A brief foster arrangement quickly developed into an adoption opportunity. Sadie and Jarvis were deemed the ideal parents for the child by the biological mother. They went from being childless to becoming parents over night.
Baby Ezra, welcome to the world!
At just 4 pounds, 5 ounces, their son Ezra Lee was born prematurely at 33 weeks gestation. Sadie can still clearly remember seeing him for the first time, wrapped up in a white blanket with blue and pink patterns. He was incredibly cute even with his little stature and the difficulties he had as an early baby.
Accepting Love Without Conditions
After posting about their happiness on social media, Sadie and Jarvis were flooded with messages of support. In just three days, friends and strangers bought 55 of the 72 things on their registry. When their adoption of Ezra was officially finalized in October 2020, they commemorated the occasion with a sweet family photo session. They wore matching t-shirts with the slogan “Families Don’t Have to Match.”
Growing Their Adoring Family
Through embryo donation, Sadie and Jarvis were able to expand their family in 2021 when they welcomed twin girls, Journee and Destinee. Their family was complete with these lovely blessings, demonstrating the limitless nature of love.
Spreading the Love Message
Sadie, Jarvis, and their three kids are a remarkable family that defies social conventions and expectations in love. They think that the unshakable links of love, rather than appearances or DNA, define family. Their moving tale is a potent reminder that love knows no bounds and that families don’t actually have to match.
This amazing family has so much love and knowledge to impart to the world. Let’s tell everyone about their inspirational story.
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