Portrait of John Amos

John Amos

Bio: 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
Born: Wed, Dec 27 1939
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA

Death: Wed, Aug 21 2024
John Amos is 84 years old
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Acting Roles
Crew Roles

Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of The Last Rifleman
The Last Rifleman
John Amos was
83 in The Last Rifleman
as 'Lincoln Jefferson Adams'.
Thu, Dec 07 2023
Poster of Me Time
Me Time
John Amos was
82 in Me Time
as 'Gil'.
Fri, Aug 26 2022
Poster of Block Party
Block Party
John Amos was
82 in Block Party
as 'Dennis'.
Wed, Jun 08 2022
Poster of Christmas in Miami
Christmas in Miami
John Amos was
81 in Christmas in Miami
Fri, Dec 24 2021
Poster of Because of Charley
Because of Charley
John Amos was
81 in Because of Charley
as 'Grandpa'.
Fri, Apr 09 2021
Poster of Coming 2 America
Coming 2 America
John Amos was
81 in Coming 2 America
as 'Cleo McDowell'.
Thu, Mar 04 2021
Poster of The Truth About Santa Claus
The Truth About Santa Claus
John Amos was
80 in The Truth About Santa Claus
as 'Bob'.
Mon, Dec 21 2020
Poster of The Beastmaster Chronicles
The Beastmaster Chronicles
John Amos was
80 in The Beastmaster Chronicles
as 'Self'.
Fri, Nov 27 2020
Poster of Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"
John Amos was
79 in Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"
as 'Fred Davis'.
Wed, Dec 18 2019
Poster of Christmas Belles
Christmas Belles
John Amos was
79 in Christmas Belles
as 'Pop Pop'.
Sat, Nov 23 2019
Poster of Uncut Gems
Uncut Gems
John Amos was
79 in Uncut Gems
as 'Neighbor 33F'.
Fri, Aug 30 2019
Poster of Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
John Amos was
76 in Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
as 'Self'.
Thu, Jan 21 2016
Poster of Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
John Amos was
75 in Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
as 'Self / Gordy Howard (archive footage)'.
Tue, Oct 13 2015
Poster of Tamales and Gumbo
Tamales and Gumbo
John Amos was
75 in Tamales and Gumbo
as 'The Patron'.
Fri, Aug 21 2015
Poster of Mercy for Angels
Mercy for Angels
John Amos was
75 in Mercy for Angels
as 'God'.
Wed, Apr 15 2015
Poster of Bad Asses on the Bayou
Bad Asses on the Bayou
John Amos was
75 in Bad Asses on the Bayou
as 'Earl'.
Fri, Mar 06 2015
Poster of Act of Faith
Act of Faith
John Amos was
74 in Act of Faith
as 'Mr. Brady'.
Tue, Apr 08 2014
Poster of American Lowrider
American Lowrider
John Amos was
73 in American Lowrider
as 'Slick'.
Tue, Sep 17 2013
Poster of Madea's Witness Protection
Madea's Witness Protection
John Amos was
72 in Madea's Witness Protection
as 'Pastor Nelson'.
Fri, Jun 29 2012
Poster of Zombie Hamlet
Zombie Hamlet
John Amos was
72 in Zombie Hamlet
as 'Edgar Mortimer'.
Sat, Apr 14 2012
Poster of Against Time
Against Time
John Amos was
67 in Against Time
as 'Coach'.
Tue, Jun 12 2007
Poster of Ascension Day
Ascension Day
John Amos was
67 in Ascension Day
as 'Henry'.
Fri, Feb 02 2007
Poster of Voodoo Moon
Voodoo Moon
John Amos was
66 in Voodoo Moon
as 'Dutch'.
Sun, Jun 04 2006
Poster of Dr. Dolittle 3
Dr. Dolittle 3
John Amos was
66 in Dr. Dolittle 3
as 'Jud'.
Tue, Apr 25 2006
Poster of Shadowboxing
Shadowboxing
John Amos was
65 in Shadowboxing
as 'Хилл'.
Sat, Mar 05 2005
Poster of Countdown
Countdown
John Amos was
64 in Countdown
as 'Admiral Melory'.
Thu, Dec 09 2004
Poster of My Baby's Daddy
My Baby's Daddy
John Amos was
64 in My Baby's Daddy
as 'Uncle Virgil'.
Fri, Jan 09 2004
Poster of TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
John Amos was
64 in TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
as '(archive footage)'.
Thu, Jan 01 2004
Poster of The Watermelon Heist
The Watermelon Heist
John Amos was
63 in The Watermelon Heist
as 'Old Man Amos'.
Wed, Jan 01 2003
Poster of Disappearing Acts
Disappearing Acts
John Amos was
60 in Disappearing Acts
as 'Mr. Swift'.
Sat, Dec 09 2000
Poster of Something to Sing About
Something to Sing About
John Amos was
60 in Something to Sing About
as 'Rev. Washington'.
Sat, Jun 10 2000
Poster of The Players Club
The Players Club
John Amos was
58 in The Players Club
as 'Freeman'.
Wed, Apr 08 1998
Poster of The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda
The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda
John Amos was
57 in The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda
as 'Booker Hutch'.
Fri, Nov 21 1997
Poster of Hologram Man
Hologram Man
John Amos was
55 in Hologram Man
as 'Wes Strickland'.
Tue, Jun 27 1995
Poster of For Better or Worse
For Better or Worse
John Amos was
55 in For Better or Worse
as 'Gray'.
Sun, Mar 19 1995
Poster of Night Trap
Night Trap
John Amos was
53 in Night Trap
as 'Capt. Hodges'.
Sat, May 01 1993
Poster of Mac
Mac
John Amos was
52 in Mac
as 'Nat'.
Thu, Sep 17 1992
Poster of Ricochet
Ricochet
John Amos was
51 in Ricochet
as 'Reverend Styles'.
Fri, Oct 04 1991
Poster of Die Hard 2
Die Hard 2
John Amos was
50 in Die Hard 2
as 'Major Grant'.
Tue, Jul 03 1990
Poster of Two Evil Eyes
Two Evil Eyes
John Amos was
50 in Two Evil Eyes
as 'Det. Legrand'.
Thu, Jan 25 1990
Poster of Lock Up
Lock Up
John Amos was
49 in Lock Up
as 'Captain Meissner'.
Fri, Aug 04 1989
Poster of Coming to America
Coming to America
John Amos was
48 in Coming to America
as 'Cleo McDowell'.
Wed, Jun 29 1988
Poster of Bonanza: The Next Generation
Bonanza: The Next Generation
John Amos was
48 in Bonanza: The Next Generation
as 'Mr. Mack'.
Tue, Mar 22 1988
Poster of Shark's Paradise
Shark's Paradise
John Amos was
46 in Shark's Paradise
as 'Taxi Driver'.
Thu, Mar 13 1986
Poster of American Flyers
American Flyers
John Amos was
45 in American Flyers
as 'Dr. Conrad'.
Fri, Aug 16 1985
Poster of Dance of the Dwarfs
Dance of the Dwarfs
John Amos was
43 in Dance of the Dwarfs
as 'Esteban'.
Fri, Jun 10 1983
Poster of The Beastmaster
The Beastmaster
John Amos was
42 in The Beastmaster
as 'Seth'.
Mon, Aug 16 1982
Poster of Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
John Amos was
40 in Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
as 'Bumpy Johnson'.
Wed, Nov 05 1980
Poster of Touched by Love
Touched by Love
John Amos was
40 in Touched by Love
as 'Tony'.
Fri, Oct 31 1980
Poster of Willa
Willa
John Amos was
39 in Willa
as 'Virgil'.
Sat, Mar 17 1979
Poster of Cops and Robin
Cops and Robin
John Amos was
38 in Cops and Robin
as 'Officer Bill Bundy'.
Tue, Mar 28 1978
Poster of Future Cop
Future Cop
John Amos was
36 in Future Cop
as 'Officer Bill Bundy'.
Sat, May 01 1976
Poster of Let's Do It Again
Let's Do It Again
John Amos was
35 in Let's Do It Again
as 'Kansas City Mack'.
Sat, Oct 11 1975
Poster of The President's Plane Is Missing
The President's Plane Is Missing
John Amos was
33 in The President's Plane Is Missing
as 'Marine Corporal'.
Tue, Oct 23 1973
Poster of The World's Greatest Athlete
The World's Greatest Athlete
John Amos was
33 in The World's Greatest Athlete
as 'Coach Sam Archer'.
Wed, Feb 14 1973
Poster of Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
John Amos was
31 in Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
as 'Biker'.
Wed, Mar 31 1971
Poster of Vanishing Point
Vanishing Point
John Amos was
31 in Vanishing Point
as 'Super Soul's Engineer'.
Fri, Jan 15 1971
Poster of Devotion
Devotion
John Amos will be
84+ in Devotion
as 'Roger'.
Unreleased
Poster of Countdown
Countdown
John Amos will be
84+ in Countdown
as 'Admiral'.
Unreleased

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Suits LA
Suits LA
John Amos will be
84+ in Suits LA
as 'John Amos'.
First Air Date
Sun, Feb 23 2025
Poster of The Movies That Made Us
The Movies That Made Us
John Amos was
79+ in The Movies That Made Us
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Fri, Nov 29 2019
Poster of The Last O.G.
The Last O.G.
John Amos was
78+ in The Last O.G.
as 'Uncle D'.
First Air Date
Tue, Apr 03 2018
Poster of The Ranch
The Ranch
John Amos was
76+ in The Ranch
as 'Ed'.
First Air Date
Fri, Apr 01 2016
Poster of Ballers
Ballers
John Amos was
75+ in Ballers
as 'Deacon Eller'.
First Air Date
Sun, Jun 21 2015
Poster of NYC 22
NYC 22
John Amos was
72+ in NYC 22
as 'Pappy Science'.
First Air Date
Sun, Apr 15 2012
Poster of 30 Rock
30 Rock
John Amos was
66+ in 30 Rock
as 'John Amos'.
First Air Date
Wed, Oct 11 2006
Poster of Men in Trees
Men in Trees
John Amos was
66+ in Men in Trees
as 'Buzz'.
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 12 2006
Poster of Psych
Psych
John Amos was
66+ in Psych
as 'Uncle Burton'.
First Air Date
Fri, Jul 07 2006
Poster of My Name Is Earl
My Name Is Earl
John Amos was
65+ in My Name Is Earl
as 'Joe'.
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 20 2005
Poster of Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men
John Amos was
63+ in Two and a Half Men
as 'Ed'.
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 22 2003
Poster of All About the Andersons
All About the Andersons
John Amos was
63+ in All About the Andersons
as 'Joe Anderson'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 12 2003
Poster of The District
The District
John Amos was
60+ in The District
as 'Mayor Ethan Baker'.
First Air Date
Sat, Oct 07 2000
Poster of The West Wing
The West Wing
John Amos was
59+ in The West Wing
as 'Percy Fitzwallace'.
First Air Date
Wed, Sep 22 1999
Poster of The Chris Rock Show
The Chris Rock Show
John Amos was
57+ in The Chris Rock Show
First Air Date
Fri, Feb 07 1997
Poster of King of the Hill
King of the Hill
John Amos was
57+ in King of the Hill
as 'Glen Johnson (voice)'.
First Air Date
Sun, Jan 12 1997
Poster of In the House
In the House
John Amos was
55+ in In the House
First Air Date
Mon, Apr 10 1995
Poster of The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits
John Amos was
55+ in The Outer Limits
as 'Peter 'Yas' Yastrzemski'.
First Air Date
Sun, Mar 26 1995
Poster of Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
John Amos was
54+ in Touched by an Angel
as 'Sheriff James Mackey'.
First Air Date
Wed, Sep 21 1994
Poster of 704 Hauser
704 Hauser
John Amos was
54+ in 704 Hauser
as 'Ernie Cumberbatch'.
First Air Date
Mon, Apr 11 1994
Poster of Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger
John Amos was
53+ in Walker, Texas Ranger
as 'Pastor Roscoe Jones'.
First Air Date
Wed, Apr 21 1993
Poster of Martin
Martin
John Amos was
52+ in Martin
First Air Date
Thu, Aug 27 1992
Poster of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
John Amos was
50+ in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
as 'Fred Wilkes'.
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 10 1990
Poster of Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
John Amos was
44+ in Murder, She Wrote
as 'Doc Penrose'.
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 30 1984
Poster of The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show
John Amos was
44+ in The Cosby Show
as 'Dr. Herbert'.
First Air Date
Thu, Sep 20 1984
Poster of Hunter
Hunter
John Amos was
44+ in Hunter
as 'Capt. Dolan (uncredited)'.
First Air Date
Tue, Sep 18 1984
Poster of Hardcastle and McCormick
Hardcastle and McCormick
John Amos was
43+ in Hardcastle and McCormick
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 18 1983
Poster of The A-Team
The A-Team
John Amos was
43+ in The A-Team
as 'Rev. Taylor'.
First Air Date
Sun, Jan 23 1983
Poster of Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
John Amos was
40+ in Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
as 'Bumpy Johnson'.
First Air Date
Wed, Nov 05 1980
Poster of Here's Boomer
Here's Boomer
John Amos was
40+ in Here's Boomer
First Air Date
Fri, Mar 14 1980
Poster of Future Cop
Future Cop
John Amos was
37+ in Future Cop
as 'Bill Bundy'.
First Air Date
Sat, Mar 05 1977
Poster of Roots
Roots
John Amos was
37+ in Roots
as 'Toby, Older Kunta Kinte'.
First Air Date
Sun, Jan 23 1977
Poster of Dinah!
Dinah!
John Amos was
34+ in Dinah!
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Mon, Oct 21 1974
Poster of Good Times
Good Times
John Amos was
34+ in Good Times
as 'James Evans Sr.'.
First Air Date
Fri, Feb 08 1974
Poster of Police Story
Police Story
John Amos was
33+ in Police Story
First Air Date
Tue, Mar 20 1973
Poster of Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son
John Amos was
32+ in Sanford and Son
First Air Date
Fri, Jan 14 1972
Poster of The Funny Side
The Funny Side
John Amos was
31+ in The Funny Side
as 'Minority Husband'.
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 12 1971
Poster of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
John Amos was
30+ in The Mary Tyler Moore Show
as 'Gordy Howard'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 19 1970
Poster of Love, American Style
Love, American Style
John Amos was
29+ in Love, American Style
as 'Bell Captain'.
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 29 1969