John Amos on Getting Fired from 'Good Times' After Threatening the White Writers (Part 4) 

John Amos, the true definition of an Alpha Male 👊👊👊👊

This brother been the same age for 30 years.

I’m 30. My whole family is white. We grew up on good times. We still watch it to this day on Amazon prime. The Evans family taught us so many important lessons. These people are all legends for their contributions.

WHEN JAMES EVANS DIED THE SHOW GOOD TIMES DIED 2

I'm 39 and can truly say, "Good Times" helped a lot of Black/African American families get through tough times. Very realistic scenarios with laughter, seriousness, and great meaning!

John Amos was the hollerin' king before Samuel L. Jackson. I feared and respected him as a father growing up.

the man is 80 looking like he's in his 50's. salute to health

Eddie Griffin expressed the same discontent about Malcolm & Eddie. White writers trying to write for two urban black men didn't make a lot of sense.

I respect John Amos for speaking his mind, even through it cost him his job. Sometimes in life you have to sacrifice and Mr. Amos did just that. It is a teachable moment.

When James got killed off the show Good Times turned to Bad Times the show wasn’t the same 👎🏾

It really bothered me, when they killed him off the show. When I was young and saw it for the first time, I remember crying like I lost my own dad. I didn't understand why they got rid of him then. I'm glad he is still here to tell his side and is in good health. #DAMNDAMNDAMMMMMMN!!!

This guy is America's greatest tv dad.

I'm a 46 year old caucasian middle class man. I love good times. I loved john Amos. He reminded me of my dad. We didnt have alot growing up, second hand everything, but we had love like the Evan's family. One of the best shows on tv then or now. It had substance and i had the biggest crush on wilona.

I'm white and my Dad was absent for most of my childhood. Many times I wish i had a Dad like James. He was fierce.

I am Hispanic from a small town in New Mexico. I was sad when his character died. I still am, he was our TV dad. No fake doctors, just people.

John Amos is aging like fine wine, he look awesome for his age, his memory is impeccable. May God be with you Mr Amos whatever you are doing please keep doing it.

John Amos is aging gracefully he looks good and healthy

I know I don’t speak for just myself but this man was “my father” he taught me about raising kids and supporting your family better than any male figure in my life! The show was special and our community needed this.

My best friend only watches the episodes with “James” over and over and over and over. We’re almost 50 she still watches Good Times on DVDs.

I was kind of upset with him for years when I heard the stories about him being difficult. Now as an older black man, I totally understand. I respect him so much now

Thelma was so beautiful 😍

Best black father on television even til today! Uncle Phil comes second!

Best dad on TV. Most relatable portrayal of a father raising a family in the hood. Reminded me of my own dad.

After the funeral when Florida broke the punch bowl and yelled : Dam, Dam, Dam; I get it now. Esther Rolle knew the impact of Mr. Amos not being apart of the cast.

Too bad it took 40 years for John Amos to be justified.

I have so much respect for John Amos but the world wasn’t ready for John. Thank you John Amos

Luenell: "So how did you get into acting?" John Amos: "Well I met this comedian named TK..."

I really respect this story and how him and Norman both came around. He didn't sit around getting angry and bitter. Realized in retrospect that they made history together.

Good Times wasn't the same after he left. Greatest TV Dad of all time. Thanks Luenell and DJ Vlad for this.

I’m 49 years old and this man is still intimidating to me as a dad👍🏿

That show just didn't seem right without him. God bless you John Amos!

How gracious & old school for John Amos to still praise Norman Lear after the guy fired him from 1 of his biggest roles ever! He's right, Norman Lear is a legend. But John Amos is a King. Forever.

I had a cable TV show in NJ in the 1980's early 90's and he was a guest. He was just the best. Then, I met him again in 2008 at a celebrity signing event and I introduced myself to him and he remembered me. Got up to give me a wonderful handshake. I was from Jersey City so we had a nice connection. Class act.

I always remember the episode when he tow Micheal's bully little ass up with a belt. Then told him he can stay. That was grown man authority! We need that back in households today!

OH JAMESssss In my Florida Evan's voice 😆

The Show came to end when they killed off John Amos role "Jame Evans"Sr

That's great. John Amos showed wisdom. Remember this everyone when something happens to you now; in years to come you'll reflect on it and see the truth.

I'm a 48yo white guy who grew up in the ghetto. Poverty knows no color and I related to that show more than all the others. It taught you that you might struggle but you can do it with pride and dignity. My mother made sure our house and us were always clean and we dreased as goid as we could just to go the supermarket. The show also taught you that it's ok to laugh at your poverty too. Making fun of the hole in your pants around your friends made life bearable.

And the man still looks in shape! Doesn’t look a day over 55

It's really good to see Mr.Amos alive and well and still working he looks good! He was & still is my favorite TV dad! 😃

John Amos was going to give those white dudes some hands.

Mr. Amos is the GOAT of TV dads. Hands down. His role has influenced the way I move as a parent. My father was very similar..

The hell Luenell doing asking questions lol

This guy is a complete joy to listen to.

When Amos left the show Good Times went downhill

"See now I'm washing lettuce.....Soon I'll be on fries ,then the grill And that's when the big bucks start to roll in".

James Evans and Uncle Phil are two characters that will live decades beyond their actors. Good Times and the Fresh Prince are the two most perfect representations of American life I have ever seen. The two characters are two sides of the same coin, and I'll bet that these shows/characters will live in cinema/stage the same way Beethoven and Mozart live in music. For the next 100 years, James Evans will be the tough working class father that wants better for his kids because he's been where they are. Timeless art that transcends generations. The most deeply human stuff that's ever been on screen. And we have men like John Amos to thank for that.

I love this guy, he used to come into my cafe. He is honestly the most humble and pleasant celebrity I ever encountered..

A white country girl from Canada who couldn't get enough of Good Times. Still think about how dynamic the show was! Absolutely fantastic actors! Miss it.

Hell, John Amos has a large frame even in his mature years. Can you imagine a youthful John Amos asking you to go outside. Shiiiiiiiit. I love John Amos...he's a hero to me.

I've never seen him interview before. Lunnell thanks for keeping it 💯! He opened a lot doors...he seemed to enjoy the interview, even the tough parts.

Best TV dad and husband ever, period. Thank you, Mr. Amos! Your acting and your integrity are tops!

Y’all talkin bout Luenelle over talking him. Them are two black elders lmao that’s how they talk. Shit they can talk at the same time and still hold a conversation.

Interviewing individuals or people is general is a skill. With that being said, stop interrupting before the question can be fully answered.

80 years old, looks GREAT for his age

So sad to hear this story because John Amos was a great actor and HUGE part of the show. He was truly railroaded out.

...listening to his life experiences would be golden lessons. What a humble and dignified guy.

John.. I only watched " Good Times.." because of you. Such talent..just a beautiful man. I stopped when you left. You are as handsome today as you were back then.

Ain’t we lucky 🍀 we got em? Good Times!!!! The song that keeps playing in my head. The best show that truly impacted my life!

I grew up in foster care and grew up watching this show. Often times I would think, "this is how i want to raise my future family. " with the same values and morals.

You know John is problack when he refuses to be interviewed by Vlad ✊🏽

I always love seeing people discussing the entertainment industry intellectually. It seems like these days, actors are not interviewed, but filled with public relations quotes fed to them by marketing and promotions. It feels fake and disheartening. Interviews like this are so important.

One of the real dads on TV. One of the best. Forget Cosby. James was a hard working and loving disciplinarian.

He is a definite example of a father and a real man!

Love him and he’s a prime example that black don’t crack.

Very rare today to find dads like James. My dad was just like him. When, I look back at the age of 57, I thank God.

The man is close to his late eighties and still healthy and strong

Well spoken and articulated, Amos is THE man. He took hard hits, but he stood tall and strong.

anybody else wish he was ur dad or granddad😭🤧

Mr. Amos! I appreciate the positive image you brought to every role I have seen you play.

I always liked the way John Amos portrayed James Evans, Sr. in "Good Times". He really made me feel empathy for the character. James Sr. was an upright, hard working family man and did his best to keep the family afloat, despite racism and, as one episode portrayed, age discrimination. He was a Korean War veteran, and he was in the running for a very good job when the interviewer discovered he was just a little over the age limit they were looking for at the time (this being the 1970's and age discrimination was de facto "not illegal"). I really felt something when the character was killed off. The Evans family was supposed to be moving to Mississippi, and James Sr. went ahead, and word came he was killed in an automobile accident. At the time, I recall the entertainment news reported this was because of the ratings competition with "Happy Days", and the Fonzie character was at its peak popularity, "Good Times" was supposed to be revamping itself. I don't know if that was accurate, but that was one story I remember reading. I'm glad to see John Amos so vibrant and sharp, and really happy Norman Lear patched things up with him.

Very glad to hear that Norman Lear and John Amos made peace with each other.

he looks great!!! damn near 80? on the other hand jimmy walker looks like well, yall seem em

We need channels like this..I grew up on goodtimes I would of never known I was too young

A strong man that stood and stayed strong

I loved Good Times. Asian kid, watching how black people lived was fascinating and as an Asian immigrant kid, I loved how 'American' and urban the show was. John Amos was the t.v. dad I wish my dad was sometimes and I missed him when they didn't cast him. I knew there was 'beef' because JA had that personality, you saw that come through in the show and in 'Coming to America'. Him talking about being 'tactful' about the differences in hindsight is an example about being diplomatic and timing. Good on him for acknowledging that.

His character was too important to take off the show, his exit did create “damn, damn, damn” but outside that Good Times wasn’t as good. Keith wasn’t a good replacement, I didn’t like the turmoil him & JJ had over his injury.

I'll never forget how angry I was when he was killed off of Good Times. The show was never the same. He was truly the real dad of America!

One of the most commanding actors on screen he can stare daggers into your soul and wasn't playing around

John Amos you reminded me of my own daddy when I watched your show, I was so blessed to have him for a dad, and the world has been blessed to have you for a dad. I love this handsome articulate gentleman, love him.

Such a fan of his!!!!! He was great on Good Times!!!!

Much respect for Mr. Amos as well as Mr. Lear who decided that his qualities as an actor, as well as he was correct in his assertions, was worth another chance.

The early seasons of Good times are truly great. Once John left the show became complete trash.

You can tell John Amos matured in his attitude over the years and recognized he could have been more diplomatic... most of us thought we knew it all when we were younger.

He still looks physically good, but more importantly, he’s still mentally sharp!

John Mr. Amos Thank you for your work👏🏽👏🏽 When I was growing up you were like a father to me 🙏🏽

After he left. It wasn't the same. He was my fave character on that show.

John Amos..True Sage. Looking great and intelligent. Another true Cultural Knowledge Keeper.-Indigenous california native american.

"good times" was NOT norman lear's vision! it was from the brilliant mind of eric monte! probably one of the best writers, black or white, you've never heard of! he wrote "cooley high." and "what's happening" was based on him, also. norm lear was a slick ass "culturalist!" he never had an original idea of his own! his top sitcoms were mostly adaptations of british tv and unknown plays! please research it!

Great interview!!! I'm 57 and remember watching that show!!

The most beloved tv dad ever. Good Times was never the same after he left the show.

This guy came to my family's business. He was so happy! 😆

In real life John Amos is only 7 years older than Jimmie Walker; he was 31, Jimmie was 24 and the elegant Ms Esther Rolle was already in her 50’s

"I swear if i had said my prayers you wouldn't be here right now"😂😂😂😂😂...James Evans

You'd think Mike Evans (who helped create Good Times; also starred as "Lionel" on The Jeffersons) would've been allowed more input, too.

His 4 second long cameo in "Uncut Gems" was actually hilarious.

He age gracefully out of all these years 💪🏾💪🏾

We have lost the great John Amos 😢 per reports, he died August 21st but was only publicly announced today. I am beyond devastated 💔😞

He still looks the same 😊

This great man is totally underrated,.,in my honest opinion,he’s the best sitcom father in history...and Good Times never recovered from his departure....