Last updated on: October 30, 2025
You know how some actors just linger with you, even if you haven’t seen them in years? For me, John Amos is one of them. He’s the type of actor whose voice can commandeer a room, and whose presence can make even a brief cameo unforgettable.
His has been a career spanning five decades—sitcoms, dramas, cult comedies, even God himself (literally). And yet, if you look back, there are a few shows that truly stand out. These aren’t merely roles; they’re cultural touchstones. They represent something about television history, about representation, and about why Amos is still a name worth reckoning.
So, let’s take a stroll through John Amos’s top 5 shows. Not as a dry list of facts, but rather reminiscing about old friends, getting a chuckle, and enjoying the ride of one of television’s greatest legends.
Who is John Amos?
Before we get into the shows, let’s take a step back.
John Amos was not originally headed for Hollywood. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1939, he majored in sociology and even pursued a career in professional football. Try to imagine him on the gridiron—tall, imposing, resolute. It makes sense when you consider the types of characters he would go on to portray—men who didn’t give up easily.
But the call of acting beckoned, and by the late ’60s, he entered the business. His major breakthrough came with Good Times in the 1970s, a sitcom that opened doors for African American families on television. Then came Roots (in which he portrayed Omoro, Kunta Kinte’s father, earning him an Emmy nomination), Coming to America, and dozens of other projects that kept him in the limelight.
What I admire about Amos is that he always brought authenticity. You never sensed that he was “playing it.” He made you believe. Whether he was a working-class dad in Chicago or a preacher in the South, his performances always felt real.
Why John Amos is a TV Icon
So why call him an icon?
It’s not just because he’s been around forever (though that helps). It’s because John Amos has this rare ability to slip into almost any role and make it his own.
He’s done family comedies, dark comedies, dramas, and even surreal series where he portrays God. Few actors can pull that off without losing credibility. Amos made you laugh, cry, or sit back in wonder—often all in the same scene.
But there’s more. He also fought for integrity in representation. On Good Times, he challenged stereotypes creeping into the scripts, pushing for authenticity in how Black families were portrayed. That resistance cost him his role, but it won him respect.
And that’s the thing—you believed him. Even when the character was humorous or outrageous, there was always truth underneath.
The Top 5 John Amos TV Shows
1. Good Times (1974–1976)
Let’s begin where it all started.
If you’ve never seen Good Times, do yourself a favor and watch an episode. It’s about the Evans family, living in a Chicago housing project, trying to make ends meet while holding on to their dignity and humor.
Amos played James Evans Sr., the father—tough as nails but overflowing with love. He wasn’t perfect—he lost his temper, made mistakes—but he was real. And in the ’70s, seeing a Black father depicted with this kind of depth? That was revolutionary.
Whenever I think of Amos, I picture him at that kitchen table delivering one of his no-nonsense lectures. He made you think about your own father or grandfather. That’s why this role remains so powerful.
2. The Righteous Gemstones (2019–present)
Fast forward a few decades, and Amos is still impressing audiences. HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones is a satirical comedy about televangelists—wild, outrageous, and biting in its humor.
Amos plays Buddy Lissons, an old-school preacher. His role isn’t the biggest, but it’s pivotal. Amidst the chaos, Amos provides gravity—like the wise elder at a family gathering who commands silence just by entering the room.
It’s a reminder that true actors don’t fade—they evolve.
3. Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell (2013–2019)
Here’s one that might surprise you. Adult Swim’s Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell is an absurd workplace comedy set in Hell itself. Think The Office, but with flames, demons, and eternal torment.
And who plays God? None other than John Amos.
His casting is pitch-perfect. With authority and dry humor, Amos delivers a divine performance that’s both funny and oddly believable. It showed his comic range and willingness to poke fun at himself—proof that he wasn’t confined to just serious roles.
4. Ballers (2015–2019)
In HBO’s Ballers, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Amos portrayed Mr. Anderson, the wealthy father of one of the players.
While his screen time was limited, his impact was undeniable. Amos has that presence—like when your dad shows up at school, and you know things just got serious.
Amid a flashy show full of big money and glitzy lifestyles, Amos added realism and weight, grounding the narrative in family values and authority.
5. The Last O.G. (2018–2021)
Rounding out the list is The Last O.G., co-created by Jordan Peele and starring Tracy Morgan. The show follows a man trying to rebuild his life after prison in a rapidly changing Brooklyn.
Amos played Percy Jones, an elder figure in the community. He wasn’t just there for laughs—he carried wisdom, balancing old-school values with new challenges.
Once again, Amos thrived in the mentor/father figure role, reminding us why audiences still lean in when he speaks.
Other Notable John Amos TV Appearances
Of course, no list would be complete without Roots (1977). Amos portrayed Omoro, Kunta Kinte’s father—a role that earned him an Emmy nomination and cemented his place in television history.
He also appeared in:
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The West Wing
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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
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All About the Andersons
Even in smaller roles, Amos always made his presence felt.
Legacy of John Amos in Television
When I think of John Amos’s legacy, one word comes to mind: truth.
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He fought for it in Good Times.
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He embodied it in Roots.
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He carried it into modern shows like The Last O.G..
Amos refused to settle for stereotypes. He portrayed characters that felt tangible, believable, and dignified. That integrity opened doors for future generations of Black actors and storytellers.
And the fact that he’s still working, still making us laugh and reflect? That’s inspiring.
Final Thoughts
So what do these five shows—Good Times, The Righteous Gemstones, Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell, Ballers, and The Last O.G.—reveal about John Amos?
They reveal a man who could not be contained. A man who could embody the stern father, the wise mentor, the preacher, the businessman—even God himself.
If you only know him from Good Times, revisit his more recent work. If you’ve only seen his cameos in modern shows, look back at his classics. Either way, you’ll notice the same thing:
An actor who gives it everything, every time.
That’s John Amos’s true legacy—not that talent fades, but that it matures.
