Actor John Amos’ daughter said she learned about his death through social media. Shannon Amos paid tribute to her late father in a video shared on Instagram that showed the two dancing to the song “Dance with My Father” by Luther Vandross.
She captioned her post: “I am without words… Our family has received the heartbreaking news that my dad, John Allen Amos, Jr., transitioned on August 21st. We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you.”
The “Good Times” star was 84. His death was announced on October 1 by his son, Kelly Christopher Amos (pictured).
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” the statement provided to CNN reads. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
The actor’s children disagreed over his medical care and accused each other of elder abuse, prompting investigations by the authorities. The cases were eventually closed due to lack of evidence.
Amos (pictured with Queen Latifah) played stern Evans family patriarch James Evans on Norman Lear’s hit situation comedy “Good Times” in the 1970s. He also played the adult Kunta Kinte in the 1977 miniseries “Roots” and Cleo McDowell in “Coming to America” (1988).
