After getting a taste of sports, writing, and acting, John Amos made the right choice by sticking with the movie world. He played American football in the 1960s, took to boxing, and later shifted his passion elsewhere after coach Hank Stram opined that his destiny does not lie in the football field.
Fast forward to the 1970s, Amos started making waves as an actor in different genres. The American actor is best known for his roles in the miniseries Roots (1977) and for his portrayal of James Evans, Sr. on the CBS television series Good Times. The former earned him a nomination at the Emmys. He also has other television shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The West Wing to his credit. In films, he is remembered for his role as Cleo McDowell in Coming to America, starring as the father of Eddy Murphy’s love interest played by Shari Headley. He also has many Broadway films under his belt and in the course of his successful career which spans over four decades, he has been nominated for several prestigious awards including a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award.
John Amos’ Biography (Age)
The footballer-turned-actor was born in Newark, New Jersey, on December 27, 1939. His parents – Annabelle P. and John A. Amos, Sr., named him John A. Amos, Jr. upon his birth. He was raised by his parents in East Orange, New Jersey where he attended East Orange High School, graduating in 1958. He furthered his education at Long Beach City College and later graduated with a degree in Sociology from Colorado State University. While at Colorado State, he played with the institution’s football team, Rams, and after college, he became a Golden Gloves boxing champion. After playing college football, he continued with professional teams like Denver Broncos, Canton Bulldogs, Jersey City Jets, Waterbury Orbits, and many more after which he shifted his passion to Hollywood.
As an actor, his first major TV role was as the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show known as Gordy Howard. He garnered more fame for his role in Good Times which lasted for the most part of the 1970s. In 1977, the actor landed an Emmy nomination for his role in hit miniseries titled Roots. From the 1980s down to the 2000s, John Amos continued to star in television shows and stage performances. Series and shows like West Wing, Men in Tree, Touched by an Angel, The Cosby Show, Police Story, Two and a Half Men, The Ranch, and a lot more are just a few of his achievements.
He also has many film roles under his belt. From his debut in the industry to date, he has starred in – The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973), Let’s Do It Again (1975), Vanishing Point (1971), The President’s Plane Is Missing (1973), Touched by Love (1980), The Beastmaster (1982), Dance of the Dwarfs (1983), Coming to America (1988), Two Evil Eyes (1989), Die Hard 2 (1990), Dr. Dolittle 3 (2006) and others that are too numerous to mention.
In 2009, he shared his musical prowess with fans by dropping his album which is made up of original country music songs.
What Is His Net Worth?
Though he had stints in sports in the past, John Amos has his acting career to thank for the fortune he enjoys today. The actor and former American footballer have an estimated $3 million as his net worth, thanks to his appearances in top-grossing films and TV shows.
His Family, Wife
The actor’s parents are Annabelle P. (mother) and John A. Amos, Sr. (father) who worked as an auto mechanic.
Apparently, his love life hasn’t been much of a success like his career as he has been married three times. His first marriage was with artist and equestrian Noel Mickelson and though the union only lasted from 1965 and 1975, they had two children Shannon and K.C. Amos who are doing well in the movie industry. After his first marriage went sour, John Amos married actress Lillian Lehman but their marriage only lasted from 1978 to 1979.
Notwithstanding his two failed marriages, the actor seems to have found his missing rib in Elisabete De Sousa who he has been married since 1982.
Is John Amos Dead?
On December 28, 2016, Headline NewsNetwork spread the news about John Amos’s death from a heart attack which was later confirmed as a hoax. Though some of the characters he has portrayed ended up dead, the actor is still very much alive. He might be old but he is still hale and hearty and has not left the spotlight as well.
Height
The New Jersey-born actor stands tall at a height of 1.81 m. His weight and other body measurements are not currently available but the veteran actor appears to be in great shape despite his age.
