John Amos has been hailed a "true legend"

Actor and comic Martin Lawrence, 59, led celebrity tributes to the star, saying on X: "This one hits different. My condolences go out to the family of a true legend, John Amos (praying hands emoji.)"

'Today' weatherman Al Roker, 70, also paid tribute to John by sharing a carousel of photos on Instagram and saying the actor "will be missed".

Referring to John's most iconic parts, he added: "Whether in 'Roots', 'Mary Tyler Moore', 'Good Times', 'Coming to America' and other roles, John Amos brought dignity, grace and honesty to his roles.

"I remember him as Gordy The Weatherman at WJM when we was just starting as a TV weather guy in 1974 and seeing him as a role model.

"And when he quit 'Good Times', people respected him for his stand."

Al was referring to how John, famed for playing stoic father James Evans Sr on 'Good Times', was fired from the show for objecting to stereotypes and letting his temper get the best of him.

John's 'Coming to America' co-star Garcelle Beauvais, 57, was also among the famous faces paying tribute to the actor.

She shared a selfie of the pair on her Instagram Stories and said: "I will miss you, John."

She added a broken heart emoji and prayer hand emoji alongside her message.

And John's 'Good Times' co-star Jimmie Walker, 77, told People: "John was a great actor and my condolences go out to his entire family, friends and his many, many fans."