Lifestyle

John Amos, star of TV's 'Good Times' and 'Roots,' dies at 84

Published

3 hours ago

October 1, 2024

John Amos, star of TV's 'Good Times' and 'Roots,' dies at 84

John Amos poses for a portrait on May 11, 2016, in New York. Amos, who starred as the family patriarch on the hit 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots,” has died. He was 84.

Amy Sussman/Invision/AP

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Amy Sussman/Invision/AP

LOS ANGELES — John Amos, who starred as the family patriarch on the hit 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots,” has died. He was 84.

Amos’ publicist, Belinda Foster, confirmed the news of his death Tuesday. No other details were immediately available.

He played James Evans Sr. on “Good Times,” which featured one of television’s first Black two-parent families. Produced by Norman Lear and co-created by actor Mike Evans, who co-starred on “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons,” it ran from 1974-79 on CBS.

“That show was the closest depiction in reality to life as an African American family living in those circumstances as it could be,” Amos told Time magazine in 2021.

His character, along with wife Florida, played by Esther Rolle, originated on another Lear show, “Maude.” James Evans often worked two manual labor jobs to support his family that included three children, with Jimmie Walker becoming a breakout star as oldest son J.J.

Such was the show’s impact that Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, the Wu-Tang Clan are among the musicians who name-checked Amos or his character in their lyrics.

Amos and Rolle were eager to portray a positive image of a Black family, struggling against the odds in a public housing project in Chicago. But they grew frustrated at seeing Walker’s character being made foolish and his role expanded.

“The fact is that Esther’s criticism, and also that of John and others — some of it very pointed and personal — seriously damaged my appeal in the Black community,” Walker wrote in his 2012 memoir “Dyn-O-Mite! Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times.”

Amos criticized “Good Times” storylines as inauthentic

After three seasons of critical acclaim and high ratings, Amos was fired. He had become critical of the show’s white writing staff creating storylines that he felt were inauthentic to the Black characters.

“There were several examples where I said, ‘No, you don’t do these things. It’s anathema to Black society. I’ll be the expert on that, if you don’t mind,‘” he told Time magazine. “And it got confrontational and heated enough that ultimately my being killed off the show was the best solution for everybody concerned, myself included.”

Amos’ character was killed in a car accident. Walker lamented the situation. “If the decision had been up to me, I would have preferred that John stay and the show remain more of an ensemble,” he wrote in his memoir. “Nobody wanted me up front all the time, including me.”

Netflix's 'Good Times': An explicit revival which feels calculated to offend

Amos and Lear later reconciled and they shared a hug at a “Good Times” live TV reunion special in 2019.

“A life-changing role” in “Roots”

Amos quickly bounced back, landing the role of an adult Kunta Kinte, the centerpiece of “Roots,” based on Alex Haley’s novel set during and after the era of slavery in the U.S. The miniseries was a critical and ratings blockbuster, and Amos earned one of its 37 Emmy nominations.

“I knew that it was a life-changing role for me, as an actor and just from a humanistic standpoint,” he told Time magazine. “It was the culmination of all of the misconceptions and stereotypical roles that I had lived and seen being offered to me. It was like a reward for having suffered those indignities.”

Born John Allen Amos Jr. on Dec. 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, he was the son of an auto mechanic. He graduated from Colorado State University with a sociology degree and played on the school’s football team.

Before pursuing acting, he moved to New York and was a social worker at the Vera Institute of Justice, working with defendants at the Brooklyn House of Detention.

He had a brief professional football career, playing in various minor leagues. He signed a free-agent contract in 1967 with the Kansas City Chiefs, but coach Hank Stram encouraged Amos to pursue his interest in writing instead. He had jobs as an advertising and comedy writer before moving in front of the camera.

Amos’ first major TV role was as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” from 1970-73. As the show’s only Black character, he played straight man to bombastic anchor Ted Baxter.

Among Amos’ film credits were “Let’s Do It Again” with Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier, “Coming to America” with Eddie Murphy and its 2021 sequel, “Die Hard 2,” “Madea’s Witness Protection” and “Uncut Gems” with Adam Sandler. He was in Ice Cube and Dr. Dre’s 1994 video “Natural Born Killaz.”

He was a frequent guest star on “The West Wing,” and his other TV appearances included “Hunter,” “The District,” “Men in Trees,” “All About the Andersons,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “The Ranch.”

In 2020, Amos was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He served in the New Jersey National Guard.

Lifestyle

10 of fall’s finest drops, pop-ups and art happenings

Published

4 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

10 of fall’s finest drops, pop-ups and art happenings

Van Cleef & Arpels pop-up at South Coast Plaza

The ultimate in luxury, Van Cleef & Arpels has a pop-up at South Coast Plaza this fall. Interact with the Ludo collection, an array of Art Deco-influenced pieces inspired by Louis Arpels’ nickname. Created in 1934, the Ludo bracelet features updates like delicate mesh in hexagon and briquette motifs, woven by the maison’s craftsmen to heighten the effect of a supple ribbon. The metal is studded with precious and hard stones. Oct. 11–27. Jewel Court at South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. vancleefarpels.com

Perez Bros at Charlie James Gallery

Born into a family of self-described “motor heads,” identical twin artist duo the Perez Brothers present “Firme,” a collection of detailed, monochrome paintings in vivid color, evoking the one-of-a-kind murals synonymous with lowrider car culture. Painting together, the brothers chose their subjects from a personal archive of photographs, gathered over a lifetime immersed in the lowrider scene. On view Sept. 21–Oct. 26. 969 Chung King Road, Los Angeles. cjamesgallery.com

Ganni Eyelet Ballerina Bow Ballet Flat

Are you a Ganni girl yet? The Danish brand has been taking over, winning admirers with its comfortable, fun designs and ambitious sustainability goals. You’ve probably seen its Buckle Ballerina flat everywhere, and this fall it’s launching a new silhouette that blends the delicate, feminine charm of a ballerina shoe with Ganni’s signature eyelet hardware. The Eyelet Bow Ballerina flat comes in shiny red, black patent and dark denim options, making it the most versatile style for fall. Available now. ganni.com

Keen X Highsnobiety

Part of Highsnobiety’s Not in New York collection, the latest drop from the streetwear publication turned fashion shopping destination features a collaboration with performance footwear and accessories brand Keen. The limited-edition shoes are a rework of Keen’s Jasper style in two colorways. The Downtown pair is dressed in pink suede while the Uptown pair is clad in polished black leather. Both have a durable rubber sole that’s fit for hiking or lifestyle wear. Available now. keenfootwear.com

“The Tennis Court” at Skylight Books

In “The Tennis Court,” award-winning journalist (and former competitive tennis player) Nick Pachelli profiles and photographs 200 of the world’s most beautiful and significant tennis courts. He explores not just the heavyweights like Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis Club and Arthur Ashe but also epic indoor, urban and destination courts. This event is a must if you’re tennis-obsessed. Oct. 18, 7 p.m. 1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. skylightbooks.com

Birkenstock X Union Bimshire

“It’s a dream come true to be working with Birkenstock, a brand that I have been wearing damn near since before I hit puberty,” says Union owner and creative director Chris Gibbs about his upcoming collaboration with the storied footwear brand. Gibbs personally designed the Bimshire, a new hybrid clog featuring a combination of details from his favorite perennial Birkenstock styles, the Boston and the Zurich. With desert tones of gray, taupe, and sandy pink, the Bimshire is affectionately named after the island of Barbados, paying homage to Gibbs’ Bajan roots. Available Nov. 7. store.unionlosangeles.com

American Artist & Magdalena Suarez Frimkess at LACMA

Add these two exhibitions to your LACMA list. “The Monophobic Response” is a continuation of an ongoing series titled “Shaper of God” by American Artist, inspired by science fiction author Octavia Butler’s prophetic 1993 novel “Parable of the Sower.” Also on view this fall is “The Finest Disregard,” the first museum exhibition of Venezuelan-born, L.A.-based artist Magdalena Suarez Frimkess, whose playful, humorous and deeply influential work spans five decades. “The Monophobic Response” on view Nov. 1-4, “The Finest Disregard” on view through Jan. 5. 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. lacma.org

Denim Dudes X American Rag Cie

Since 1984, American Rag Cie has been at the forefront of the L.A. vintage retail scene. This fall, it is partnering with Denim Dudes, a visionary in denim and casualwear, to launch Nothing New — offering seven L.A. brands the chance to mine American Rag’s vintage archive to create exclusive capsule collections. Brands include denim knitwear pioneer Knorts (as seen on SZA and Addison Rae), L.A.’s favorite embellisher and embroiderer Masato Kawajo, and expert upcyclers Object From Nothing. Available now. americanrag.com

Tee A. Corinne at Webber Gallery

black and white abstract artwork by Tee A. Corinne

“A Forest Fire Between Us” is an exhibition of works by West Coast-based photographer, lesbian sex activist and educator Tee A. Corinne (1943-2006) — and the most extensive solo presentation of Corrine’s photos to date. In her 2001 book “Intimacies,” Corrine writes: “If I became a ‘visible and accessible lesbian artist,’ it is because of the images I made to fill a perceived void, to fill those blank spaces where desire and questioning and transcendence converged, where my intellectual longings and seven years of university art training responded to the social and cultural forces set in motion in the 1960s.” On view Sept. 14–Nov. 30. 939 S. Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles. webberrepresents.com

“Rising Signs: The Medieval Science of Astrology” at the Getty Museum

Rare astrology alert! “Rising Signs” explores medieval representations of the 12 signs of the zodiac through a fascinating selection of illustrations and devotional books from pre-modern Europe. The ornate and carefully preserved drawings showcase the mysteries of medieval astrology as it intersected with medicine, divination and daily life in the Middle Ages. On view Oct. 1–Jan. 5. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. getty.edu

Romany Williams is a writer, editor and stylist based on Vancouver Island, Canada. Her collaborators include SSENSE, Atmos, L.A. Times Image and more.

Lifestyle

'Nobody Wants This' has rom-complications : Pop Culture Happy Hour

Published

11 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

'Nobody Wants This' has rom-complications : Pop Culture Happy Hour

In the new Netflix series Nobody Wants This, Kristen Bell plays an agnostic podcaster, who meets a rabbi, played by Adam Brody. They like each other immediately, but there are some hurdles for them when it comes to being together. The show offers plenty of romantic comedy banter and good chemistry, as well as some pretty deep questions about faith and compatibility.

Lifestyle

Livvy Dunne Gets Custom, One-Of-A-Kind Paul Skenes Boots For Rookie's Finale

Published

11 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

Livvy Dunne Gets Custom, One-Of-A-Kind Paul Skenes Boots For Rookie's Finale

Livvy Dunne rocked a fitting accessory to watch her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, finish off his one-of-a-kind rookie season … a pair of one-of-a-kind boots!

The feet heat — which Dunne sported to cheer on the Pirates ace in his 2024-25 finale against the Yankees on Saturday — featured a white Skenes Pittsburgh jersey on a pair of white Cowboy boots … and TMZ Sports has learned Jessica Martini made them by hand.

The artist tells us she just recently came up with the idea for the footwear after leaving her tech consulting job … and after she was able to make some pairs for the wives of MLB All-Stars Aaron Nola and Will Smith earlier this season, she reached out to Dunne to see if the LSU gymnast would want some of her own to cheer on her man.

Martini says as soon as she got the yes … she went to work — and drove some six hours to Pittsburgh to scoop the Skenes supplies.

Once secured and back in her garage, Martini then tediously cut and placed the uniform on the kicks — and after a total of 20 hours … the masterpieces were ready for Dunne.

This was the final pitch of Paul Skenes’ rookie season …
Absolutely incredible pic.twitter.com/sWmIMmvkE4
— MLB (@MLB) September 28, 2024
@MLB

Martini says she was thrilled with the outcome … and tells us not to be surprised if you see some similar boots later this week — as she says she’s already got a pair ready for Clayton Kershaw‘s wife for the Dodgers’ upcoming postseason run.

clayton kershaw

So far, the boots aren’t ready for public sale — Martini says the business is just getting off the ground — but she’s hoping to link up with a retail giant sooner rather than later so the masses can get their hands on them at some point in the near future.

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