John Amos is best known for the role of James Evans in the classic sitcom Good Times. He was born on December 27, 1939 in Newark, New Jersey and is an Emmy-nominated and NAACP Image Award-winning actor and former football player. He attended Colorado State University, and eventually became a Golden Gloves boxing champion.
Though best known for playing Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1970 to 1973, John Amos also rose to fame as James Evans, Sr. on the sitcom Maude. He later became part of the Emmy award-winning cast of the miniseries Roots, and had a recurring guest starring role on the award-winning series The West Wing, as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Some of Amos’ other guest roles include those in Touched by an Angel, 704 Hauser, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin and In the House with LL Cool J. He later joined the cast of the ABC TV series Men in Trees, playing the pilot Buzz Washington. Amos has also been in several episodes of The District, and has co-starred with Anthony Anderson in the TV series All About the Andersons. He has since appeared in the TV movie Voodoo Moon, the historical drama Ascension Day, and the family movie Dr. Dolittle 3. Amos has been a guest star on the series Psych as well, playing the character Uncle Burton Guster. . In addition to acting, Amos has written for television, including The Leslie Uggams Show and the Emmy Award-winning Lohman and Barkley Show. His film credits include Coming to America, Vanishing Point, The Beastmaster, Die Hard 2, and Lock Up with Sylvester Stallone. Amos has risen to prominence, earning the distinction of winning more TV Land Awards than anyone, due to his work in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Good Times, and Roots. He was also given a role in the music video for “Natural Born Killaz” with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.