John Amos
Born December 27, 1939 (Age: 86)
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Newark, New Jersey, USA
Biography
John Amos (December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024) was an American actor and retired football player. 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." He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. On film, he played numerous supporting roles in movies such as "The Beastmaster" (1982), "Coming to America" (1988), "Lock Up" (1989), "Die Hard 2" (1990) and "Coming 2 America" (2021). Prior to acting, he played on the Colorado State Rams football team and in 1964, he signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Denver Broncos and in 1967 signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. Both of these contracts did not land him a spot on the teams and played a final season in the Continental Football League with the Victoria Steelers before pursuing acting.
John Amos (December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024) was an American actor and retired football player. 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." He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. On film, he played numerous supporting roles in movies such as "The Beastmaster" (1982), "Coming to America" (1988), "Lock Up" (1989), "Die Hard 2" (1990) and "Coming 2 America" (2021).
Prior to acting, he played on the Colorado State Rams football team and in 1964, he signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Denver Broncos and in 1967 signed a free agent contract with the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. Both of these contracts did not land him a spot on the teams and played a final season in the Continental Football League with the Victoria Steelers before pursuing acting.
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Filmography
Uncut Gems
2019
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as Neighbor 33F
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Age: 79
Madea's Witness Protection
2012
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as Pastor Nelson
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Age: 72
Shadowboxing
2005
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as Хилл
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Age: 65
Countdown
2004
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as Admiral Melory
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Age: 64
My Baby's Daddy
2004
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as Uncle Virgil
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Age: 64
Remembering Roots
2002
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as Self
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Age: 62
Disappearing Acts
2000
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as Mr. Swift
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Age: 60
Something to Sing About
2000
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as Rev. Washington
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Age: 60
The Players Club
1998
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as Freeman
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Age: 58
For Better or Worse
1995
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as Gray
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Age: 55
Ricochet
1991
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as Reverend Styles
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Age: 51
Die Hard 2
1990
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as Major Grant
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Age: 50
Lock Up
1989
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as Captain Meissner
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Age: 49
Coming to America
1988
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as Cleo McDowell
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Age: 48
American Flyers
1985
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as Dr. Conrad
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Age: 45
The Beastmaster
1982
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as Seth
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Age: 42
Cops and Robin
1978
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as Officer Bill Bundy
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Age: 38
Let's Do It Again
1975
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as Kansas City Mack
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Age: 35
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
1971
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as Biker
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Age: 31
Vanishing Point
1971
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as Super Soul's Engineer
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Age: 31