John Amos in his 1958 East Orange High School yearbook photo.

John Allen Amos Jr. (𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 December 27, 1939) is an American actor known for his role as James Evans, Sr., on the CBS television series Good Times. Amos”s other television work includes The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on The West Wing, and the role of Washington, D.C., Mayor Ethan Baker in the series The District. Amos has appeared on Broadway and in numerous films in his five-decade career. He has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. On film, he has played numerous supporting roles in movies such as The Beastmaster (1982), Coming to America (1988), Die Hard 2 (1990) and Coming 2 America (2021).

John A. Amos, Jr. Was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up in East Orange, New Jersey, and graduated from East Orange High School in 1958. He enrolled at Long Beach City College and graduated from Colorado State University, qualifying as a social worker with a degree in sociology. Amos also played on the Colorado State Rams football team. After college, he was a Golden Gloves boxing champion.

In 1964, Amos signed a free agent contract with the American Football League”s Denver Broncos. Unable to run the 40-yard dash because of a pulled hamstring, he was released on the second day of training camp. He then played with the Canton Bulldogs and Joliet Explorers of the United Football League. In 1965, he played with the Norfolk Neptunes and Wheeling Ironmen of the Continental Football League. In 1966, he played with the Jersey City Jets and Waterbury Orbits of the Atlantic Coast Football League.

In 1967, Amos signed a free agent contract with the American Football League”s Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Hank Stram told him, “You”re not a football player, you”re a man who is trying to play football.” He returned to the Continental League, where he played that year with the Victoria Steelers