The exact fortune accumulated by John Amos, who passed away on August 21, remains uncertain, though estimates place his net worth between $300,000 and $3 million.
John Amos’ Legacy
Best known for his iconic roles as James Evans Sr. on “Good Times” and the older Kunta Kinte in “Roots,” Amos made a lasting impact on Black television throughout the 1970s and 1980s, as noted by The New York Times.
He also made memorable appearances in films, with supporting roles in “Coming to America,” its 2021 sequel on Amazon Prime Video, and “Die Hard 2.”
At 84, Amos passed away from natural causes. The announcement of his death on Oct. 1 by his publicist sent shock waves across social media and major news outlets.
Speculation surrounding Amos’ net worth, estimated to be between $300,000 and $3 million, stems from both financial and familial challenges, particularly allegations of elder abuse and economic exploitation.
Family Struggles
In June 2023, his daughter Shannon Amos launched a GoFundMe campaign, claiming her father was a victim of elder abuse and in poor health, stating that his home had been stripped of valuables, according to The Los Angeles Times.
She sought $500,000 for his care and legal expenses, asserting that Amos was “fighting for his life.”
However, Amos publicly disputed these claims, stating that he was recovering from a medical issue and had not been subjected to elder abuse.
He also expressed confusion over his daughter’s motives, feeling that he was being taken advantage of instead.
Reports indicated ongoing disputes between Amos’ son K.C. Amos and daughter over his care and financial management, with Amos questioning Shannon’s intentions.
The situation led to an investigation by the LAPD into the allegations made by Shannon.
In addition to the LAPD investigation, in 2023, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) looked into accusations of elder abuse involving Amos while he was living in Westcliffe, Colorado, according to CBS.
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office likely became involved due to Westcliffe’s location in Custer County.
Amos previously lived in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, before relocating to Colorado in 2018. His 3,230-square-foot home in Tewksbury, located on four acres, entered pre-foreclosure according to a Zillow listing.
The property, purchased by Amos in 1990 for $337,500, had been listed for $429,000 for nearly a year before the listing was removed in October 2017.
The pre-foreclosure status meant Amos had the opportunity to pay off the outstanding debt or sell the house before repossession. The home, built in 1968, was valued at $414,500 in 2017, with property taxes amounting to $10,093, according to NJ.com.
By the time the elder abuse allegations surfaced, he no longer owned or lived in his New Jersey home, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Amos, who was living in Los Angeles at the time of his death, was primarily cared for by K.C. Amos — a responsibility Shannon claimed K.C. was failing to manage properly.
Both K.C. and John Amos consistently denied the elder abuse claims, calling them “false and unmerited.” Despite the ongoing tensions, Amos continued working on projects throughout this period.
On April 8, 2024, the LAPD officially closed the investigation into the elder abuse allegations due to a lack of evidence, as reported by People magazine.
Despite the public family turmoil, Amos maintained that he was of sound mind and denied all claims of neglect or abuse.
The lower end of estimates of Amos’ net worth, $300,000, as pegged by Celebrity Net Worth, likely arose from the actor’s past financial difficulties. Other outlets pegged it close to $3 million.
Amos’ relocation to Colorado in 2018 and subsequent New Jersey foreclosure events suggest he faced some financial challenges in his later years.
As for whether Amos had a will, no specific information has been made public.
Given that family disputes over his care and financial matters were already in the spotlight before his death, it’s possible that any issues regarding the disposition of his estate have been addressed by now.