John Amos, ‘Good Times’ Dad, Dies Months After Elder Abuse Scandal

John Amos, the Emmy-nominated actor and former TV writer best known for his role as the stoic father on "Good Times," has passed away.

Amos, a former football player at Colorado State University, once tried out for training camps with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. But, his entertainment career took off when he was cast as WJN-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

He continued to make headlines years after his television days due to the family drama with his daughter Shannon Amos and son K.C.

Months after being involved in an elder abuse scandal, it has been revealed that John Amos has passed away at the age of 84.

Amos passed away on August 21 in Los Angeles from natural causes, as confirmed by his son, Kelly Christopher Amos.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” he said in a statement, per 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 was fired from "Good Times" after the third season due to his objections to the show's direction, particularly the portrayal of his character and the stereotypical storylines involving the eldest son, J.J. Evans, played by Jimmie Walker.

The actor believed that "Good Times" was shifting too much toward comedy, neglecting the more serious themes and social issues that mattered to him.

Throughout various interviews over the years, he voiced his frustrations about the show's focus on J.J.'s catchphrases and comedic antics, arguing that it detracted from the character's opportunity for deeper growth and development.

“I felt too much emphasis was being put on J.J. in his chicken hat, saying ‘Dy-no-mite!’ every third page," he said, per THR. "I felt just as much emphasis and mileage could have been gotten out of my other two children, one of whom aspired to become a Supreme Court justice, played by Ralph Carter, and the other, BernNadette Stanis, who aspired to become a surgeon."

“But I wasn’t the most diplomatic guy in those days, and [the show’s producers] got tired of having their lives threatened over jokes," he continued. "So they said, ‘Tell you what, why don’t we kill him off? We can get on with our lives!’ That taught me a lesson — I wasn’t as important as I thought I was to the show or to Norman Lear’s plans.”

Amos recently made headlines due to the family drama with his daughter Shannon Amos, and son K.C.

The 80-year-old actor, beloved for his role as James Evans Sr. on CBS's "Good Times," first drew attention last month when Shannon launched a GoFundMe campaign for him, claiming he was fighting for his life in the ICU.

However, Amos refuted her claims of elder abuse, asserting that he was not in the ICU as she suggested and that he did not consider himself a victim. Since then, the GoFundMe has been removed, and contributions have been refunded.

He later changed his story, claiming that he was a victim of elder abuse, while local law enforcement had initiated an investigation, naming Shannon as the "primary suspect."

“She would be the primary suspect — if you would,” John said in a video filmed from his hospital bed at the time. “I don’t know if that’s the right term to use or not. But she’s the one that I would attribute my elderly abuse to. It’s definitely a case of elderly abuse."

The investigation into allegations of neglect of care of John Amos has since closed due to lack of evidence.