Martin Lawrence, more credit as a “Good Times” star

Martin Lawrence, more credit as a “Good Times” star

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Hollywood mourns the loss of groundbreaking actor John Amos.

The Emmy-nominated star of “Good Times” and “Roots” died on August 21 at age 84, a representative for the actor confirmed Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of tributes.

“This one hits differently,” “Bad Boys” star Martin Lawrence wrote on X. “My condolences go out to the family of a true legend, John Amos.”

Amos was best known for his roles as the elderly Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries “Roots” and as James Evans Sr. in the classic CBS sitcom “Good Times.” He left the latter series due to disagreements with the writers over the way black characters were portrayed.

His many other memorable roles included Admiral Percy Fitzwallace in the NBC series “The West Wing,” weatherman Gordy Howard in the CBS series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and Cleo McDowell in the film “Coming to America.”

In an Instagram Story, Joshua Malina, Amos' former co-star on “The West Wing,” said that he “grew up watching and loving 'Good Times' as a child and that it was a 'thriller' to work with the actor on NBC show. “A great guy and a total professional,” Malina wrote. “RIP IN PEACE”

John Amos, “Good Times” and “Roots” pioneer and “Coming to America” star has died at the age of 84

“A great actor,” “The West Wing” star Bradley Whitford X agreed. “An amazing career. Rest in peace, John. Well done.”

“The Wire” star Wendell Pierce attributed the loss to the recent death of James Earl Jones, noting that both were “titans” of theater and film. “I see both of them showing great talent,” Pierce said on X. “I am forever in their debt.”

The actor “brought dignity, grace and honesty to his roles,” “Today” weather expert Al Roker said on Instagram.

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“I remember him as Gordy The Weatherman on WJM when (I) was just starting out as a TV weatherman in 1974 and saw him as a role model,” Roker said. “And when he left Good Times, people respected him for his stance. We will miss him.”

Jimmie Walker, Amos' former co-star in “Good Times,” also told People magazine that he “was a great actor and my condolences go out to all of his family, his friends and his many, many fans.”

In a statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday, Amos' son Kelly Christopher Amos remembered him as “a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold,” adding that “he was loved around the world.”

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