John Amos

Amos 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 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 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 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.