The cause of death for Good Times star John Amos has been officially revealed, amidst the continued family drama surrounding his final months. The 84-year-old actor passed away in August at an Inglewood, California hospital due to congestive heart failure, as reported by multiple sources that reviewed his death certificate. The turbulent dynamics between his children, Shannon and Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos, have been at the forefront of public discussion, contributing to the delayed announcement of his passing.
According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Amos died on August 21st at 5:18 p.m. The death certificate noted no other contributing medical conditions and indicated that no autopsy was performed. His remains were cremated on August 30th, nine days after his death, and his son K.C. Amos was listed as the informant who reported his father’s passing to Los Angeles County. The address given for K.C. was also noted as the late actor’s “place of disposition.”
“He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold … and he was loved the world over,” K.C. Amos shared in a statement, reflecting on his father’s legacy. “Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
The public only became aware of Amos’ passing this past week, more than six weeks after his death. Shannon Amos revealed her surprise and sorrow in an Instagram post, noting that she learned of her father’s death through the media. “We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you,” she wrote.
The tension between Shannon and K.C. had marked the last years of John Amos’ life, with both siblings clashing over the care of their father. Shannon publicly accused her brother of elder abuse, asserting that K.C. had taken over their father’s life and affairs to isolate him from his inner circle, which included family members and close friends. She also claimed that K.C. impersonated their father, neglected his medical needs, mishandled finances, and undermined his legacy.
A formal investigation into Shannon’s accusations was opened in Los Angeles, though it was eventually closed in April without further action. K.C. has consistently denied these allegations, and in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, he accused his sister of orchestrating a “character assassination” campaign to discredit him. John Amos had previously come to his son’s defense, dismissing the elder abuse claims as “false and unmerited” and describing K.C. as “a caring, thoughtful human being who respects me.” Amos went on to express his gratitude to the Los Angeles police for their efforts, adding that he and K.C. were working on a documentary to provide insight into what he believed to be “false narratives” about him.
Belinda Foster, John Amos’ longtime publicist, also spoke out in support of K.C., denying the claims of abuse. Foster had known Amos for more than 30 years and described their relationship as familial. In her statement, she expressed her sadness at his passing and vehemently rejected the notion that K.C. mistreated his father. “Shannon’s claims that John was abused are false,” Foster said, noting that she, along with K.C., Eugene, and others, cared for Amos diligently. “On several occasions when Shannon claimed that he was abused, law enforcement authorities sat with John and confirmed his well-being.”
Addressing the circumstances of the delayed death notification, Foster explained that K.C. was legally barred from contacting Shannon due to a no-contact order issued by the Superior Court of New Jersey. The restraining order was a result of Shannon’s complaints against K.C., filed in 2023. Foster further stated that John Amos himself had requested the delay in publicly announcing his death, as he feared that Shannon would turn his passing and memorial into what he described as a “circus,” just as she had done with other aspects of his life.
Despite the ongoing family turmoil, Amos’ fans continue to remember him as a beloved figure in American television. Known for his roles in Good Times, Roots, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, his work left an indelible mark on the industry. His legacy as a pioneer for Black actors on television remains significant, and his contributions to television and film will be celebrated for years to come.
