You know John Amos. We all do. If you don’t, you definitely know Kunta Kente of the popular miniseries “Roots”. Amos is the grown up Kunta. Now you remember?

His stern face, powerful build and consistent potrayal in strong roles make him an unforgettable father figure. This image is in sharp contrast to that of a young Amos growing up poor in New Jersey.

Describing himself as a rebellious teenager who had frequent run-ins with the law, he decided to turn his life around and became a public defender.

After the failures of the justice system left him disillusioned, he quit. He then briefly played professional football before finally turning to show business.

Working as a script writer to survive, his big break came in the early 1970s when he landed a part in “Maude”. The popularity of his character Henry and that of Maude’s equally popular maid Florida earned them both their own show, Good Times. It was highly popular and ran for a few seasons before a heated argument with the shows producers on the direction the show was taking left Amos without a job. But not for long. His next role was as Kunta Kente in the iconic “Roots”.

Centered around a proud African intent on preserving his heritage despite harsh enslavement, the miniseries became part of American popular culture. It greatly impacted African Americans in whom it awakened a longing for their roots. It also awakened something in John. The supernatural. During a break on set, he claimed to have had an encounter with what he termed as his ancestors.

He alleges that these spirits were of the millions who died during the slave trade. They proceeded to take over his senses causing him to fall to the ground screaming. Calling him by his stage name, they apparently spoke to him, encouraging him to be as strong as they were in the face of persecution. He further claims to have spoken in tongues during the incident.

Asked to comment on the incident, his colleagues thought he was having a seizure. Whatever your take is on the whole matter, one thing is certain. John Amos clearly had what he thought was a life changing experience.

Just like watching the miniseries he was starring in changed the lives of millions of viewers over the decades.

Source: http://www.kpbs.org/embedded/2013/feb/04/5393/
blackdoctor.org/474809/good-times-actor-john-amos-explains-how-the-anscestors-spoke-to-him/
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/John_Amos.aspx