John Amos’ cause of death has been revealed in the wake of the news of his death at 84 – but his daughter still ‘has questions.’
The iconic actor died of congestive heart failure, according to his death certificate obtained by TMZ.
Amos died August 21, but his death wasn’t announced until yesterday October 1 by his son Kelly Christopher (K.C.) Amos, and now his daughter is raising concerns.
Shannon Amos, 58, learned of her father’s death through the media over one month after he died, saying in a post on Instagram: ‘Our family has received the heartbreaking news that my Dad, John Allen Amos, Jr., transitioned on August 21st.’
She continued: ‘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 went on to say that the family is now ‘navigating a wave of uncertainties’ in the wake of their father’s death.
She wrote: ‘This should be a time of honoring and celebrating his life, yet we are struggling to navigate the wave of emotions and uncertainties surrounding his passing. Still, there is some semblance of peace in knowing my father is finally free.’
Shannon and her father had an ‘acrimonious’ relationship, according to John andhad previously accused her of elder abuse.
It seemed the pair had smoothed things over towards the end of John’s life, and he said in an interview with People in 2023: ‘That is my daughter, my first child. I love her.’
He continued: ‘K.C. loves his sister. We just have, I guess, what might be best described in the tabloids is an acrimonious relationship, but everything heals in time, and the love is still there.’
In June 2023 Shannon made an Instagram post claiming that after speaking to her father on the phone, she had concerns for his safety and even wrote that she believed he was ‘a victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation.’
She then created a GoFundMe campaign asking for ‘legal, medical, future housing, and care expenses’ for her father.
John later denied his daughter’s claims that he was ever in any kind of precarious situation, releasing a statement that read: ‘To all of my fans, I want you to know that I am doing well. I am not in ICU, nor was I ever fighting for my life. First, I want the GoFundMe campaign about me to stop immediately, and the funds subsequently returned to those who made donations.’
K.C. then posted a video in which John accused Shannon of taking advantage of him, saying from a hospital bed: ‘She would be the primary suspect – if you would. I don’t know if that’s the right term to use or not. But she’s the one that I would attribute my elderly abuse to. It’s definitely a case of elderly abuse.’
The actor, known for roles in Coming to America, Roots and Die Hard 2, was a fixture of film and television for decades.
He was perhaps best known for his role as the adult Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries Roots, which made enormous cultural waves for its unflinching portrayal of American slavery.
He was also James Evans Sr. on the CBS television series Good Times, which ran for six seasons.
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 Washington, DC Mayor Ethan Baker in the series The District.
The actor was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award.
K.C. announced the news of his father’s death with a statement that read: ‘It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned.
‘He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… And he was loved the world over. 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.’
He continued: ‘My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life…. Most recently in Suits LA playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, America’s Dad.
‘He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.’
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