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John Amos (I)

Actor | Producer

A native of New Jersey and son of a mechanic, African-American John Amos has relied on his imposing build, eruptive nature and strong, forceful looks to obtain acting jobs, and a serious desire for better roles to earn a satisfying place in the annals of film and TV. He has found it a constant uphill... See full bio »

Born:

John A. Amos
in Newark, New Jersey, USA
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Still of John Amos and Madge Sinclair in Roots Still of Eddie Murphy and John Amos in Coming to America Still of John Amos in Lie to Me Still of John Amos, Allison Dean and Shari Headley in Coming to America John Amos at event of The 5th Annual TV Land Awards
18 photos | 35 videos | 56 news articles »

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Do you have a demo reel?

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Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel


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Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActor (93 titles)
2012 The Bob Show (TV series)
– Super Mega Fest (2012)
 
2012 NYC 22 (TV series)
Pappy Science
– Ransom (2012) … Pappy Science
 
2012 Madea's Witness Protection
Pastor Nelson
 
2012 Zombie Hamlet
Edgar Mortimer
 
2012 Untitled Martin Lawrence Project (TV movie)
Captain Lorenzo
 
2010 Lie to Me (TV series)
Jim Weaver
– Smoked (2010) … Jim Weaver
 
2010 30 Rock (TV series)
John Amos
– Let's Stay Together (2010) … John Amos
 
2010 Royal Pains (TV series)
Harrison Phillips
– Big Whoop (2010) … Harrison Phillips
 
2010 Two and a Half Men (TV series)
Ed
– This Is Not Gonna End Well (2010) … Ed
– I Found Your Moustache (2010) … Ed
– Tinkle Like a Princess (2010) … Ed
 
2010 Perfect Sunday
Slick
 
2009 The Law (TV movie)
Charles
 
2008 My Name Is Earl (TV series)
Joe
– Stole an RV (2008) … Joe
 
2006-2008 Men in Trees (TV series)
Buzz Washington
– Taking the Lead (2008) … Buzz Washington
– Surprise, Surprise (2008) … Buzz Washington
– New Dogs, Old Tricks (2008) … Buzz Washington
– Kiss and Don't Tell (2008) … Buzz Washington
– Wander/Lust (2008) … Buzz Washington
See all 27 episodes »
 
2008 Tamales and Gumbo
The Patron
 
2007 Psych (TV series)
Uncle Burton Guster
– Meat Is Murder, But Murder Is Also Murder (2007) … Uncle Burton Guster
 
2007 Ascension Day
Henry
 
2007 Hauntsville
Mr. Kimball
 
2006 Voodoo Moon (TV movie)
Dutch
 
2006 Dr. Dolittle 3 (video)
Jud Jones
 
2005 Boy s tenyu
Hill
 
2004 Countdown
Admiral Melory
 
1999-2004 The West Wing (TV series)
Percy Fitzwallace
– Gaza (2004) … Percy Fitzwallace
– Talking Points (2004) … Percy Fitzwallace
– The Dogs of War (2003) … Percy Fitzwallace
– 7A WF 83429 (2003) … Percy Fitzwallace
– Twenty Five (2003) … Percy Fitzwallace
See all 21 episodes »
 
2003-2004 All About the Andersons (TV series)
Joe Anderson
– Face the Music (2004) … Joe Anderson
– Into the Woods (2004) … Joe Anderson
– Time Bandit (2004) … Joe Anderson
– Home Movie (2004) … Joe Anderson
– One Flew Over the Kai-Kai's Nest (2004) … Joe Anderson
See all 16 episodes »
 
2004 My Baby's Daddy
Uncle Virgil
 
2003 The Watermelon Heist
Old Man Amos
 
2002 American Masters (TV series documentary)
Dr. Bledsoe
– Ralph Ellison: An American Journey (2002) … Dr. Bledsoe
 
2000-2001 The District (TV series)
Mayor Ethan Baker
– Fools Russian: Part 2 (2001) … Mayor Ethan Baker
– Running Towards Fire (2001) … Mayor Ethan Baker
– The Most Dangerous Job (2001) … Mayor Ethan Baker
– The Jackal (2000) … Mayor Ethan Baker
– Imperfect Victims (2000) … Mayor Ethan Baker
See all 10 episodes »
 
2001 All Over Again
Coach Zeller
 
2000 Disappearing Acts (TV movie)
Mr. Swift
 
2000 The Outer Limits (TV series)
Peter 'Yas' Yastrzemski
– Zig Zag (2000) … Peter 'Yas' Yastrzemski
 
2000 Something to Sing About (TV movie)
Rev. Washington
 
1998 The Players Club
Freeman
 
1998 King of the Hill (TV series)
Glen Johnson
– Traffic Jam (1998) … Glen Johnson (voice)
 
1997 The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda (TV movie)
Booker Hutch
 
1995-1997 In the House (TV series)
Coach Sam Wilson
– The Retreat Story (1997) … Coach Sam Wilson
– Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder (1997) … Coach Sam Wilson
– Return of the Stiletto (1997) … Coach Sam Wilson
– Record Breaking Time (1996) … Coach Sam Wilson
– Maxwell Said Knock You Out (1996) … Coach Sam Wilson
See all 11 episodes »
 
1997 Walker, Texas Ranger (TV series)
Pastor Roscoe Jones
– Sons of Thunder (1997) … Pastor Roscoe Jones
 
1997 Martin (TV series)
Sgt. Strawn
– Daddy Dearest (1997) … Sgt. Strawn
 
1997 A Woman Like That
 
1994-1995 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (TV series)
Fred Wilkes
– For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll (1995) … Fred Wilkes
– The Wedding Show (Psyche!) (1995) … Fred Wilkes
– Three's a Crowd (1995) … Fred Wilkes
– Same Game, Next Season (1994) … Fred Wilkes
 
1995 Hologram Man (video)
Wes Strickland
 
1995 For Better or Worse
Gray
 
1995 Touched by an Angel (TV series)
James Mackey
– The Hero (1995) … James Mackey
 
1995 Murder Was the Case: The Movie (video short)
Detective (segment "Natural Born Killaz")
 
1994 704 Hauser (TV series)
Ernie Cumberbatch
– All That Jasmine (1994) … Ernie Cumberbatch
– Triskaidekaphobia (1994) … Ernie Cumberbatch
– Ernie Live on Tape (1994) … Ernie Cumberbatch
– Here's Why Ernie Should Never Be Left Home Alone (1994) … Ernie Cumberbatch
– Meet the Cumberbatchs (1994) … Ernie Cumberbatch
See all 6 episodes »
 
1993 Night Trap
Capt. Hodges
 
1993 The Black Cat (short)
 
1992 Mac
Nat
 
1991 Ricochet
Reverend Styles
 
1991 Clippers (TV short)
Mel
 
1991 Without a Pass
Blue Berry
 
1990 Die Hard 2
Maj. Grant
 
1990 Two Evil Eyes
Det. Legrand (segment "The Black Cat")
 
1989 Lock Up
Captain Meissner
 
1984-1989 Hunter (TV series)
Captain Dolan / Capt. Dolan
– Return of White Cloud (1989) … Capt. Dolan (uncredited)
– Sniper (1985) … Captain Dolan
– Fire Man (1985) … Captain Dolan
– Guilty (1985) … Captain Dolan
– The Beach Boy (1985) … Captain Dolan
See all 14 episodes »
 
1989 Gideon Oliver (TV series)
Carl Manning
– Tongs (1989) … Carl Manning
 
1988 The Cosby Show (TV series)
Dr. Herbert
– The Physical (1988) … Dr. Herbert
 
1988 Coming to America
Cleo McDowell
 
1988 Bonanza: The Next Generation (TV movie)
Mr. Mack
 
1987-1988 One Life to Live (TV series)
Detective Johnson
 
1987 You Are the Jury (TV series)
Sergeant Harold Borman
– The State of Oregon vs. Stanley Manning (1987) … Sergeant Harold Borman
 
1987 Stingray (TV series)
Roy Jeffries
– Blood Money (1987) … Roy Jeffries
 
1987 Murder, She Wrote (TV series)
Doc Penrose
– Death Takes a Dive (1987) … Doc Penrose
 
1985 American Flyers
Dr. Conrad
 
1984 Hardcastle and McCormick (TV series)
Albie Meadows
– The Homecoming: Part 2 (1984) … Albie Meadows
 
1984 Trapper John, M.D. (TV series)
Ins. Roland Hackett
– The Fred Connection (1984) … Ins. Roland Hackett
 
1984 The A-Team (TV series)
Reverend Taylor
– Pure-Dee Poison (1984) … Reverend Taylor
 
1983 Dance of the Dwarfs
Esteban
 
1983 The Love Boat (TV series)
Duke Taylor
– The Zinging Valentine/The Very Temporary Secretary/Final Score (1983) … Duke Taylor
 
1982 The Beastmaster
Seth
 
1981 Here's Boomer (TV series)
Foster
– Boomer Goes for the Gold (1981) … Foster
 
1980 Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (TV movie)
Bumpy Johnson
 
1980 Touched by Love
Tony
 
1979 Willa (TV movie)
Virgil
 
1979 Mr. Dugan (TV series)
Rep. Dooley
 
1978 Cops and Robin (TV movie)
Officer Bill Bundy
 
1976-1977 Future Cop (TV series)
Officer Bill Bundy
– The Kansas City Kid (1977) … Officer Bill Bundy
– Carlisle Girl (1977) … Officer Bill Bundy
– Girl on the Ledge (1977) … Officer Bill Bundy
– The Mad Mad Bomber (1977) … Officer Bill Bundy
– Fighting O'Haven (1977) … Officer Bill Bundy
See all 6 episodes »
 
1970-1977 Mary Tyler Moore (TV series)
Gordy Howard
– Hail the Conquering Gordy (1977) … Gordy Howard
– Happy Birthday, Lou! (1973) … Gordy Howard
– We Want Baxter (1973) … Gordy Howard
– It's Whether You Win or Lose (1972) … Gordy Howard
– The Good-Time News (1972) … Gordy Howard
See all 13 episodes »
 
1977 Roots (TV mini-series)
Toby
– Episode #1.6 (1977) … Toby
– Episode #1.7 (1977) … Toby
– Part Five (1977) … Toby
– Part Four (1977) … Toby
 
1976 Police Story (TV series)
Walt Kyles
– Oxford Gray (1976) … Walt Kyles
 
1974-1976 Good Times (TV series)
James Evans, Sr.
– The Rent Party (1976) … James Evans, Sr.
– The Break Up (1976) … James Evans, Sr.
– Florida the Woman (1976) … James Evans, Sr.
– J.J. in Trouble (1976) … James Evans, Sr. (credit only)
– The Investigation (1976) … James Evans, Sr.
See all 61 episodes »
 
1975 Let's Do It Again
Kansas City Mack
 
1973-1974 Maude (TV series)
Henry Evans
– Florida's Goodbye (1974) … Henry Evans
– Florida's Affair (1973) … Henry Evans
– Florida's Problem (1973) … Henry Evans
 
1973 The President's Plane Is Missing (TV movie)
Marine corporal
 
1973 Two's Company (TV movie)
 
1973 The World's Greatest Athlete
Coach Sam Archer
 
1973 Sanford and Son (TV series)
Luther
– A Visit from Lena Horne (1973) … Luther
 
1972 Keeping Up with the Joneses (TV movie)
 
1971-1972 Love, American Style (TV series)
(segment "Love and the Split-Up") / Bell Captain (segment "Love and the Hiccups")
– Love and the Alibi/Love and the Instant Father/Love and the Lovely Evening/Love and Lover's Lane/Love and the Split-Up (1972) … (segment "Love and the Split-Up")
– Love and the Bowling Ball/Love and the Check/Love and the Hiccups/Love and the Liberated Lady Boss (1971) … Bell Captain (segment "Love and the Hiccups")
 
1972 The New Dick Van Dyke Show (TV series)
Mark Cooper
– The Harry Award (1972) … Mark Cooper
 
1971 The Funny Side (TV series)
Minority Husband
 
1971 Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Biker (as Johnny Amos)
 
1971 Vanishing Point
Super Soul's Engineer (uncredited)
 
1970 The Bill Cosby Show (TV series)
1st Salesman
– Swann's Way (1970) … 1st Salesman (credit only) (as Johnny Amos)
 
Show ShowProducer (1 title)
2012 Zombie Hamlet (co-producer)
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
2002 Remembering 'Roots' (video documentary short) (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (31 titles)
2013 Pioneers of Television (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
– Miniseries (2013) … Himself
 
2012 Life After (TV series)
Himself
– BernNadette Stanis (2012) … Himself
 
2010 The Mo'Nique Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 13 July 2010 (2010) … Himself
 
2010 For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots (TV documentary) (voice)
 
2009 Stills of the Movement: The Civil Rights Photojournalism of Flip Schulke (documentary short)
Himself
 
2009 TV Land Moguls (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
– The 70s: Part 1 (2009) … Himself
 
2008 Speechless (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2007 The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
2005-2007 TV Land Confidential (TV series documentary)
Himself / Himself - Interviewee
– Oddballs & Original Characters (2007) … Himself - Interviewee
– Changing Times and Trends (2005) … Himself
– Breakout and Disappearing Star (2005) … Himself
– Writing, Rehearsing & Recording (2005) … Himself
 
2007 The 5th Annual TV Land Awards (TV special)
Himself - Winner ("30th Anniversary")
 
2006 Tavis Smiley (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 4 May 2006 (2006) … Himself
 
2006 The 4th Annual TV Land Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
2004 The 2nd Annual TV Land Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
2003 CBS at 75 (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2003 I Love the '80s Strikes Back (TV series documentary)
Himself
 
2003 I Love the '70s (TV series documentary)
Himself
– 1974 (2003) … Himself
– 1973 (2003) … Himself
 
2002 Remembering 'Roots' (video documentary short)
Himself - 'Kunta Kinte'
 
2001 Inside TV Land: The Mary Tyler Moore Show (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1997 3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV special)
 
1997 The Chris Rock Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.3 (1997) … Himself
 
1990 The Howard Stern Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 4 August 1990 (1990) … Himself
 
1990 The Arsenio Hall Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 6 July 1990 (1990) … Himself
 
1989 Ebony/Jet Showcase (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 3 November 1989 (1989) … Himself
 
1989 Live with Kelly and Michael (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 23 June 1989 (1989) … Himself
 
1979 The 2nd Annual Black Achievement Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1974-1978 The Hollywood Squares (TV series)
Guest Appearance
– Episode dated 6 March 1978 (1978) … Guest Appearance
– Episode dated 1 September 1975 (1975) … Guest Appearance
– Episode dated 14 January 1974 (1974) … Guest Appearance
 
1977 Good Morning America (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 28 March 1977 (1977) … Himself
 
1977 The 3rd Annual People's Choice Awards (TV special)
Himself - Accepting Special Award to Roots
 
1975 The 11th Annual Publicists Guild of America Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1975 Tony Orlando and Dawn (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.16 (1975) … Himself
 
1971 Information Processing (documentary short)
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (5 titles)
2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (video documentary)
 
2000 E! True Hollywood Story (TV series documentary)
 
1983 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (TV series)
 
1979 Roots: The Next Generations
Toby (uncredited)
 
1977 Mary Tyler Moore (TV series)
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

TV commercial for McDonalds Restaurant (1971) See more »

Alternate Names:

Johnny Amos

Height:

6' (1.83 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

There are three stages in an actor's career: Who is John Amos? Get me John Amos. Get me a young John Amos. See more »

Trivia:

Was cast as the Evans father in Good Times despite being only eight years older than Jimmie Walker (who played J.J., the oldest son) and nearly nineteen years younger than Esther Rolle, who played his wife, Florida. See more »

Star Sign:

Capricorn