‘Die Hard 2’ and ‘Coming To America’ star John Amos dies, aged 84

2 October, 2024

John Amos

Die Hard 2 and Coming To America star John Amos has died, aged 84.

The actor passed away on August 21 in Los Angeles his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, announced yesterday (October 1). He died of natural causes.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” Amos said in a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter). “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold … and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”

Amos played the character Major Grant in Die Hard 2 alongside Bruce Willis and was famously known for his role as Cleo McDowell in Coming To America and Coming To America 2, who had a rival fast food chain to McDonald’s. He also once appeared in a well-known McDonald’s advert in the ’70s.

In TV, he played James Evans Sr in the 1970s sitcom Good Times but he eventually left the show after becoming frustrated with the storylines, that he felt were inauthentic to the Black characters.

He went on to appear in the mini-series Roots in 1977 and had recurring roles in The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, as Will Smith’s stepfather, Hunter, The District, Men In Trees, All About The Andersons, The West Wing and the Netflix drama The Ranch.

A host of stars including Bad Boys actor Martin Lawrence paid tribute to Amos on social media.

“This one hits different. My condolences go out to the family of a true legend, John Amos,” he wrote.

The Wire star Wendell Pierce also shared a clip of Amos starring alongside James Earl Jones, who also recently passed away, in Coming To America.

He wrote: “John Amos and James Earl Jones. Two Titans of Theater and Film. I witness them both display great talent. I am forever in their debt. Rest In Peace.”

Amos was born on December 27 in 1939 in New Jersey, and was the son of a mechanic.

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.

Amos is survived by his son Kelly Christopher and daughter Shannon.

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