John Amos, the actor known for his role as the family patriarch on the hit sitcom “Good Times” and the adult Kunta Kinte in the famed miniseries “Roots,” has died, according to a statement from his son shared with The Hollywood Reporter. Amos died in Los Angeles of natural causes, his son, K.C. Amos, said in his statement to the publication. He was 84.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” the statement read. “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.

It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” he said in a statement. “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.

Amos initially pursued a career in football after playing at Colorado State University, trying out for the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. His entertainment career kicked into gear once he was cast as WJN-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.