'Good Times' star John Amos has died aged 84

He said in a statement: "It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned.

"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."

Writer turned Emmy-nominated actor John was famed for playing the stoic dad on 'Good Times' - before he was fired from the show for objecting to stereotypes and letting his temper get the best of him.

John played football at Colorado State University and had training camp try-outs with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League.

But he saw his showbiz career take off after he landed a job playing WJN-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'.

The New Jersey native received his Emmy nomination for portraying Toby, the older version of Kunta Kinte, on the pioneering 1977 ABC miniseries 'Roots', and had a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace - the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - on NBC's popular 'West Wing' drama.

His notable big screen roles included a part in Melvin Van Peebles' blaxploitation classic 'Sweet Sweetback's Baada***** Song from 1971.

He also played the manager of a fast food restaurant who hires an African prince played by Eddie Murphy and his right-hand man in 'Coming to America', before Eddie's character falls in love with his daughter in the movie.