John Amos Net Worth - Pulptastic

September 29, 2024

What is John Amos’ net worth?

John Amos is an American actor and former football player with a net worth of $3 million. He is best known for his role on the CBS sitcom “Good Times” and his Emmy-nominated performance in the 1977 miniseries “Roots.” Amos has also appeared on television shows such as “The West Wing,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and “The District,” in addition to starring on Broadway and in films such as “Coming to America” and “Die Hard 2.”

Early Life and Career

John Amos was born in 1939 in Newark, New Jersey and raised in East Orange. He attended East Orange High School before going on to Long Beach City College and Colorado State University, where he played football and became a Golden Glove boxing champion.

Amos signed with the Denver Broncos in 1964, but was let go after a hamstring injury. He played with several other teams, including the Canton Bulldogs and Norfolk Neptunes, before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967. He later returned to the Continental League to play with the Victoria Steelers.

Amos’ Career and Role on “Good Times”

John Amos gained recognition for his role as weatherman Gordy Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” from 1970 to 1973. He became best known for his portrayal of James Evans Sr., the patriarch of a middle-class African-American family on the CBS sitcom “Maude” and its spin-off “Good Times.” Alongside Esther Rolle, Jimmie Walker, Ralph Carter, and BernNadette Stanis, Amos aimed to showcase a positive image of an African-American family living in a poor neighborhood. However, Amos was dissatisfied with how the show’s comedy undermined its premise, leading to clashes with the writers and his eventual dismissal from the show in 1976.

Career Highlights of John Amos

John Amos starred as Kunta Kinte in the landmark television miniseries “Roots” in 1977, for which he received an Emmy Award nomination. He continued to appear in various television shows including “Here’s Boomer,” “Insight,” “The Love Boat,” “The A-Team,” and “Hardcastle and McCormick.” In the 90s, he appeared on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Touched by an Angel,” and “Martin,” and had a recurring role on the LL Cool J sitcom “In the House.” Amos also appeared in 22 episodes of the political drama series “The West Wing” and had major credits on “The District,” “All About the Andersons,” “Men in Trees,” and “The Ranch.”

John Amos’ Film Career

Amos made his debut in 1971 in “Vanishing Point” and “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.” He later appeared in “The World’s Greatest Athlete,” “Let’s Do it Again,” “Touched by Love,” “The Beastmaster,” “Dances of the Dwarfs,” “American Flyers,” “Coming to America,” and “Lock Up.”

In the 90s, he appeared in “Two Evil Eyes,” “Die Hard 2,” “Ricochet,” “Mac,” “Night Trap,” “For Better or Worse,” and “The Players Club.” His 2000s credits included “All Over Again,” “My Baby’s Daddy,” “Countdown,” “Shadowboxing,” and “Dr. Dolittle 3.”

Later on, he appeared in “Madea’s Witness Protection,” “Bad Asses on the Bayou,” “Uncut Gems,” and “Coming 2 America.”

Theater Career

Amos has been involved in theater, producing and writing “Halley’s Comet,” a one-man play that he performs internationally. He was also in August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean,” first on Broadway and then at Princeton, New Jersey’s McCarther Theatre.

Marriages and Military Service

Amos married equestrian and artist Noel Mickelson in 1965 and had two children before divorcing in 1975. He then wed actress Lillian Lehman in 1978 but divorced the following year. Amos is a veteran of the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard and an Honorary Master Chief of the United States Coast Guard. He has been a resident of New Jersey’s Tewksbury Township for many years.