Biography
, the hardworking head of the family on "Good Times" (CBS, 1974-79). He departed the show in 1976 after clashing with the producers over its scripts, and spent much of the next few decades essaying stern and dependable men - usually in a branch of the military or law enforcement - in projects ranging from "Roots" (1976) and "Die Hard 2" (1990), to "The West Wing" (NBC, 1999-2006) and "Men in Trees" (ABC, 2006- ).
Born John A. Amos Jr. on Dec. …
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Career Milestones
| Had regular role on "In the House" (NBC) | ||
1994 | Returned to series TV in the short-lived sitcom "704 Hauser Street" (CBS) | |
1990 | Co-starred in feature films "Die Hard 2: Die Harder" | |
1990 | Performed in his own one-person show, "Hailey's Comet" | |
| Directed, produced and scripted the film "Grambling Takes It All Back Home" | ||
| For one season, played Captain Dolan on the NBC police drama "Hunter" | ||
| Played Captain Dolan on season of "Hunter" | ||
1977 | Won acclaim as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark ABC miniseries, "Roots" | |
1976 | Left "Good Times" in dispute over direction of show; character killed off | |
| Reprised role of Florida Evans' husband, now named James in the CBS spin-off "Good Times" | ||
| Had recurring role of Henry Evans, the husband of maid Florida (Esther Rolle) on the CBS sitcom "Maude" | ||
1971 | Was a regular on the summer sitcom "The Funny Side" (NBC) | |
1971 | Early feature credit, "Sweet Sweetback's Badassss Song", credited as Johnny Amos | |
| Broadway debut, "Tough to Get Help" | ||
1970 | Played recurring role of Gordy the weatherman on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (CBS) | |
1969 | Was a staff writer on the CBS variety series "The Leslie Uggams Show" | |
| Began performing stand-up comedy in Greenwich Village | ||
| Worked as advertising copywriter | ||
| Worked as social worker at the Vera Institute of Justice, NYC | ||
| Played professional football in American, Canadian and Continental Leagues | ||
Awards
1977 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor For a Single Appearance In a Drama or Comedy Series in Roots |