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35-508: Train Ride was Esther Rolle 's last film before her death on November 17, 1998, and the film is dedicated to her. Train Ride was shot on the campus of Cheyney University , which is the oldest African American college in the United States. The film recently got high praise by noted film historian/critic Irv Slifkin in his best-selling book Filmadelphia: A Celebration of a City's Movies, which

70-484: A Man (1964). After Good Times ended, she appeared in a number of made-for-television movies as well as films, including Driving Miss Daisy and My Fellow Americans . A memorable role was that of Aunt Sarah in the film Rosewood (1997). She had a major role in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings based on Maya Angelou 's memoir of the same name, and has the distinction of having won the first Emmy Award for

105-518: A black Raggedy Andy doll she endorsed, a recording of poems recited by Rolle, and awards such as the 1974 NAACP Eighth Image Award for Best Actress in a Series and her 1979 Emmy for her role in Summer of My German Soldier . John Amos John Allen Amos Jr. (December 27, 1939 – August 21, 2024) was an American actor. He was best known for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries Roots and for portraying James Evans Sr. on

140-949: A critically acclaimed one-man play that he performed around the world. Amos performed in August Wilson 's Gem of the Ocean on Broadway and later at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey . Amos was featured in Disney 's The World's Greatest Athlete (1973) with Tim Conway and Jan-Michael Vincent in his first starring film role, and also starred as Kansas City Mack in Let's Do It Again (1975) with Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier . His other film appearances include Vanishing Point (1971), The President's Plane Is Missing (1973), Touched by Love (1980), The Beastmaster (1982), Dance of

175-570: A number of other television shows, including Police Story , The A-Team , The Cosby Show , The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air , In the House , Martin as Sgt. Hamilton Strawn (Tommy's father), Touched by an Angel , Psych , Sanford and Son , My Name Is Earl , Lie to Me , and Murder, She Wrote . He also appeared as a spokesman for the Cochran Firm (a national personal injury law firm). Amos wrote and produced Halley's Comet ,

210-484: A positive image of an African-American family struggling against the odds in a poor neighborhood, but he expressed dissatisfaction after he saw the premise slighted by a lower level of comedy on Good Times. During his tenure on the sitcom, Amos openly clashed with the writers of the show, pointing to the scripts' lack of authenticity in portraying the African-American experience. He notably criticized what he felt

245-411: A radio engineer alongside Cleavon Little . Amos' first major TV role was as Gordy Howard , the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, from 1970 until 1973. After the death of Betty White in 2021, Amos and Joyce Bulifant (who played Marie Slaughter) were the last surviving semi-regular cast members of the show, excluding child actors. Amos is best known for his portrayal of James Evans Sr. ,

280-501: A role in the movie Madea's Witness Protection , as Jake's father. He appeared in Ice Cube and Dr. Dre 's 1994 video for " Natural Born Killaz ". In 2009, he released We Were Hippies , an album of original country songs by Gene and Eric Cash. In 2021, Amos starred in Because of Charley , as the patriarch of an estranged step-family riding out with Perry Como and Hurricane Charley ,

315-741: A traditional day job in New York City's garment district. Rolle was a member of Asadata Dafora 's dance troupe, Shogolo Oloba (later renamed the Federal Theater African Dance Troupe). She became the troupe's director in 1960. Rolle's earliest roles were on the stage; her New York stage debut was in the 1962 play The Blacks . She was often cast in plays produced by Robert Hooks and the Negro Ensemble Company . She also appeared in productions of The Crucible and Blues for Mr. Charlie . Rolle's most prominent early role

350-523: A writer-producer and the founder of Afterglow Multimedia, LLC, and Grammy-nominated director K.C. Amos. Acrimonious disagreements between Shannon and K.C. Amos over the care given to their parents was documented by The Hollywood Reporter in 2023. Amos' second marriage, in 1978–79, was to actress Lillian Lehman . He lived for many years in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey . In 2018, he moved to Westcliffe, Colorado , southwest of Pueblo . In 2023,

385-683: Is buried in Westview Community Cemetery in Pompano Beach. The cemetery is a historically black burial ground created in 1952, a time when the laws and customs of Florida did not permit white people and black people to be buried in the same cemetery. Rolle's family donated over 100 items of hers to the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida . The collection includes gowns,

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420-640: The CBS television series Good Times . His other television work includes The Mary Tyler Moore Show , a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on The West Wing , and the role of the Mayor of Washington DC Ethan Baker in the series The District . Amos was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award . In film, he played numerous supporting roles in movies such as The Beastmaster (1982), Coming to America (1988), Lock Up (1989), Die Hard 2 (1990), and Coming 2 America (2021). Amos

455-456: The CBS television sitcom Maude , for two seasons (1972–1974), and its spin-off series Good Times , for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1976. In 1979, Rolle won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Special for the television film Summer of My German Soldier . Esther Rolle

490-570: The Colorado Bureau of Investigation looked into accusations that Amos had been the victim of elder abuse . Amos left Colorado that same year, taking up residency in Los Angeles . Amos died of congestive heart failure at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, California on August 21, 2024, at the age of 84. His death was not announced until October 1, 2024. His daughter, Shannon,

525-537: The Victoria Steelers ( COFL 1967 ). In 1967, Amos signed a free agent contract with the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs ( AFL 1967 ). Coach Hank Stram told him, "You're not a football player, you're a man who is trying to play football." Amos became first known in 1971 when he appeared with Anson Williams in a commercial for McDonald's . That same year, he had a small part in the cult film Vanishing Point , playing

560-666: The 1994 sitcom 704 Hauser , a modern spin-off of All in the Family , but it was canceled after only five episodes (in the series he played a different character than he did in the All in the Family spin-off Maude ). He also portrayed Captain Dolan on the TV show Hunter from 1984 to 1985. He co-starred in the CBS police drama The District . Amos was a frequent guest on The West Wing , portraying Admiral Percy Fitzwallace , who serves as Chairman of

595-612: The Dwarfs (1983), American Flyers (1985), Coming to America (1988), Lock Up (1989), Two Evil Eyes (1989), Die Hard 2 (1990), and Ricochet (1991). He appeared in the 1995 film For Better or Worse and played a police officer in The Players Club (1998). He played Uncle Virgil in My Baby's Daddy (2004), and starred as Jud in Dr. Dolittle 3 (2006). In 2012, Amos had

630-686: The Joint Chiefs of Staff for most of the show. He played Buzz Washington in the ABC series Men in Trees . Amos co-starred with Anthony Anderson in the short-lived TV series All About the Andersons in 2003. In 2010, Amos also appeared as recurring character Ed on Two and a Half Men , and in 2016 as another recurring character, also (coincidentally) named Ed, on the Netflix sitcom The Ranch . He guest-starred in

665-460: The Wheel", in which she played a taxicab business owner. In the 1990s, Rolle was a surprise guest on RuPaul 's VH-1 talk show. Her Maude co-star Bea Arthur was the guest, and Rolle was brought out to surprise Arthur. The two had not seen each other in years, Arthur said, and embraced warmly. Rolle also appeared in a series of psychic hotline TV commercials in the 1990s. "Tell them Esther sent you,"

700-399: The category Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, in 1979, for her work in the television movie Summer of My German Soldier . She is also credited for her role in the film The Mighty Quinn (1989), starring Denzel Washington and Sheryl Lee Ralph , and featuring Robert Townsend . Her last film, Train Ride , was released in 2000 despite being filmed in 1998. Rolle

735-570: The community. We don't think that way. We don't act that way. We don't let our children do that." His character was killed off by the writers, leading to a memorable scene in which his screen wife, Rolle, screamed, “Damn! Damn! Damn!” In 1977, Amos starred in the ABC-TV Miniseries Roots , as the adult Kunta Kinte , based on the book by author Alex Haley . In 1980, he starred in the television film Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story . Amos played an Archie Bunker -style character in

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770-622: The hurricane which tore through Florida in 2004. Also in 2021, he had a role in the Coming to America sequel, Coming 2 America . Amos was a veteran of the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard and Honorary Master Chief of the United States Coast Guard . He was married twice. His first marriage, from 1965 to 1975, was to artist and equestrian Noel Mickelson. The couple had two children: Shannon Amos,

805-560: The husband of Florida Evans , on the American sitcom Good Times (1974–1976). He had previously appeared in the same role three times on the sitcom Maude before continuing it in 61 episodes of Good Times . Although cast as a hardworking middle-aged father of three, Amos was 34 when the show began production in 1973; he was only eight years older than the actor who played his oldest son, Jimmie Walker , and 19 years younger than his screen wife, Esther Rolle . Like Rolle, Amos wanted to portray

840-439: The third season ended. Later on, in a stand-off with Good Times producer Norman Lear , Rolle also quit when her contract ended. Although the show continued without her for the fifth season, she returned for the show's final season. In 1979 she won an Emmy for her role in Summer of My German Soldier , a made-for-television movie. Among her guest-starring roles was one on The Incredible Hulk in an episode entitled "Behind

875-612: Was a Golden Gloves boxing champion. In 1964, Amos signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos ( AFL 1964 ), Unable to run the 40-yard dash because of a pulled hamstring , he was released on the second day of training camp. He played for various sides during his career, the Canton Bulldogs ( UFL 1964 ), Joliet Chargers ( UFL 1964 ), Norfolk Neptunes ( COFL 1965 ), Wheeling Ironmen COFL 1965 , Jersey City Jets ( ACFL 1966 ), Waterbury Orbits ( ACFL 1966 ), and

910-684: Was as Miss Maybell in the Melvin Van Peebles 1972 Broadway musical Don't Play Us Cheap , and its subsequent 1973 film adaptation . In 1977, Rolle portrayed Lady Macbeth in Orson Welles ' Haitian-influenced version of William Shakespeare 's Macbeth at the Henry Street New Federal Theater in Manhattan. Rolle is best known for her television role as Florida Evans, the character she played on two 1970s sitcoms . The character

945-545: Was born in Newark, New Jersey on December 27, 1939, the son of Annabelle and John A. Amos Sr., an auto mechanic. John Jr. 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 becoming a social worker with a degree in sociology . John Amos Jr. played on the university's football team . After college, he

980-999: Was born in Pompano Beach, Florida to Bahamian immigrants Jonathan Rolle (1883–1953), a farmer, and Elizabeth Iris Rolle (née Dames; 1887–1947). Her parents were both born and raised in Nassau , New Providence, The Bahamas and moved to Florida some time after their marriage. She was the tenth of 18 children (children who included siblings and fellow actresses Estelle Evans and Rosanna Carter ). Rolle graduated from Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach. She initially studied at Spelman College in Atlanta , before moving to New York City . While in New York, she attended Hunter College before transferring to The New School and then Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut . For many years, Rolle worked in

1015-510: Was her trademark line. Rolle released an album of music titled The Garden of My Mind in 1975. Rolle's first screen appearance is a small, uncredited role in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), and she later appeared in Gordon Parks ' The Learning Tree (1969). Her sister, actress Estelle Evans , appeared in both films as well. Esther Rolle appeared early in her career in the film Nothing But

1050-526: Was introduced as Maude Findlay's housekeeper on Maude , and was spun off in the show's second season into Good Times , a show about Florida's family. Rolle was nominated in 1975 for the Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy Golden Globe Award for her role in Good Times . Rolle was 19 years older than the actor ( John Amos ) who played her husband James (named Henry on Maude ) Evans. The James Evans character

1085-638: Was married to Oscar Robinson from 1955 until their divorce in 1975. She had no children, but did have one ex-stepdaughter, Sherley Mae Robinson (born 1936), from Oscar's previous marriage. Rolle died on November 17, 1998, in Culver City, California , from complications of diabetes , at the age of 78. A devout member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church , Rolle requested that her funeral be held at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in her hometown of Pompano Beach, Florida . She

Train Ride - Misplaced Pages Continue

1120-406: Was only added after Rolle fought hard for a father figure and husband to be added to the show. Rolle had fought for the father character on the show, more relevant themes and scripts and was unhappy with the success of Jimmie Walker 's character, J.J. Evans, which she believed took the show in a frivolous direction. John Amos agreed with Rolle about Walker's character and was fired from the show after

1155-412: Was published by Middle Atlantic Press in 2006. In addition, the film recently ranked #5 in the top ten "Best College Movies" on BET.COM. This article about a 2000s thriller film is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Esther Rolle Esther Elizabeth Rolle (November 8, 1920 – November 17, 1998) was an American actress. She is best known for her role as Florida Evans, on

1190-417: Was too much of an emphasis on Jimmie Walker's character J.J. and a lesser regard for the other two Evans children. He also criticized J.J.'s stereotypical buffoonish personality. This led to his dismissal by executive producer Norman Lear at the end of season 3 in 1976. In a 2017 interview, Amos said that the sitcom's writers did not understand African-Americans. He told them, "That just doesn't happen in

1225-400: Was unaware that he had died until it was reported by the media. His remains were cremated nine days after his death. In addition to receiving an Emmy nomination for Roots , Amos was nominated for a CableACE Award , an NAACP Image Award , and a DVD Exclusive Award. He won three TV Land Awards for his roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show , Good Times , and Roots . In 2020, Amos

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