On NBC’s Suits LA, Episode 7 called “Good Times” paid tribute to the late actor John Amos in a very moving way. It was one of the most heartfelt tributes I’ve seen on TV this year. Amos died in August 2024 at the age of 84. He made his final acting appearance in SUITS LA’s premiere episode, “Seven Days a Week and Twice on Sunday,” which aired on February 23, 2025. In that episode, he played himself, a client of the entertainment law firm run by Ted Black (Stephen Amell) and previously represented by Rick Dodson (Bryan Greenberg).
In Episode 7, when Ted and Rick hear that Amos has died, they are both shocked. When the ex-coworkers get together, it’s at a restaurant where they share drinks, stories, and regrets. “Look at that.” “He’s gone, but he’s still putting us back together,” Ted says in a sad way. Rick, clearly devastated, drunkenly stumbles onto the sidewalk and realizes Amos doesn’t even have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The two vow to change that.
Their mission, however, proves challenging. They approach a Hollywood Walk of Fame board member, only to be told that if approved, Amos would receive a star—but with a two-year wait. Ted is incensed. “The man’s a legend, he’s an icon,” he argues. “John Amos was the Sidney Poitier of television… a father figure for all of America!” Unfortunately, their passionate pitch falls on deaf ears, with the executive admitting ignorance of both Good Times and Roots.
Even though he was turned down, Rick is able to convince the board member to agree to the two-year wait. Ted is still mad, though. The conversation makes him feel more deeply especially about his estranged father. In front of Rick, Ted tells him that he had been avoiding John before he died because of a personal issue. John had urged Ted to reconcile with his father, advice Ted had ignored.
John Amos’ presence in Ted’s life extended beyond professional ties—he had become the father figure Ted never had. “Exactly who I wanted my dad to be—honest, strong, tough, would do anything for their kids,” Ted reveals.
The episode concludes with both Ted and Rick, along with their respective partners Kevin (Troy Winbush) and Erica (Lex Scott Davis), watching an episode of Good Times—specifically, “The Gang: Part 2,” which featured one of Amos’ most powerful performances. The final screen fades into a black-and-white dedication: “In Loving Memory of John Amos.”
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, John Allen Amos Jr. had a multi-faceted career. Before becoming a household name as James Evans Sr., he played football professionally and had stints with several teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs. In the 1970s, he started acting and broke barriers on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. With Good Times and Roots, where he played the adult Kunta Kinte, he became a major figure on American television.
Amos also appeared in major films like Coming to America, Die Hard 2, and The Beastmaster, and he held recurring roles on shows like The West Wing and The District. He was nominated for several awards, including a Primetime Emmy and NAACP Image Award and won multiple TV Land Awards.
Even though Amos had a lot of success in his life, his last few years were hard for him because of health problems and family arguments. He passed away from congestive heart failure at Centinela Hospital Medical Center on August 21, 2024. His death wasn’t publicly disclosed until October, and reports revealed that even his daughter Shannon didn’t know until it was reported by the media.
The tribute on Suits LA doesn’t just honor a TV legend; it also deals with loss, memory, and time passing in a very real way. Ted and Rick’s efforts to honor Amos show viewers why actors like him are important, not just for their roles but also for the people they inspire.
Come back to tvacute.com soon for more news about SUITS LA, sneak peeks, and in-depth reviews.
SUITS LA EPISODE 7 PREVIEW: “GOOD TIMES”
