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The actor died of natural causes on August 21 in Los Angeles, according to publicist Belinda Foster, who spoke to the PA news agency.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce my father's passing,” stated his son, Kelly Christopher Amos.
“He possessed a heart of gold and was cherished by many around the globe.
“Numerous fans regarded him as their television father. He led a fulfilling life, and his remarkable contributions to television and film will ensure his legacy endures.
“My father cherished his acting career throughout his life; he was not only my dad but also my closest friend and my hero.”
His agent, Julia Buchwald, remarked: “We were immensely proud to represent John. He was not just an extraordinary talent but also a genuinely kind and generous individual.
“His influence on the industry and the lives of those who knew him will always be remembered.”
Amos gained prominence in the 1970s for his role as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which subsequently led to his portrayal of family patriarch James Evans Sr. in the acclaimed Norman Lear sitcom, Good Times.
He also played the older version of Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries, Roots.
Amos received his sole Emmy nomination for his performance in the 1977 series that portrayed the horrors of slavery.
The extensive cast featured Louis Gossett Jr. as Fiddler, Ben Vereen as Chicken George, and LeVar Burton as the young Kunta Kinte.
“I recognized that this role was transformative for me, both as an actor and from a humanitarian perspective,” Amos shared with Time magazine.
“It represented the culmination of all the misconceptions and stereotypical roles I had encountered and been offered. It felt like a reward for enduring those indignities.”
More than ten years later, Amos took on the role of Cleo McDowell in Coming To America, where he employs an African prince, portrayed by Murphy, and later reprised this character in the sequel.
His other prominent roles included Admiral Percy Fitzwallace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the US drama The West Wing, and Major Grant in Die Hard 2.
Before embarking on his acting career, Amos was a member of the New Jersey State National Guard.