A Full Timeline of John Amos' Family Drama

Mar. 15, 2025

John Amos, Shannon Amos, and K.C. Amos at the 1st Annual “A Celebration of Heroes” Power Heroes Gala on December 3, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.Photo:Brian To/FilmMagic

Brian To/FilmMagic

John Amoswas beloved for his role as the loving, albeit tough patriarch inGood Times. However, life was a bit more complicated in reality as the relationship between his two children became contentious in the last year of his life.

It started when his daughter Shannon, 58,accused her youngerbrother Kelly Christopher “K.C.” 54, of abusing their father while the actor was in his care back in June 2023. Things only went downhill from then on, with K.C. evengetting arrestedin July andseveral investigationsinto John’s care being launched.

On Oct. 1, 2024, K.C. revealedtheComing to Americaactor diedin August at age 84.

Below, see the full timeline of John Amos' family drama — from the elder abuse allegations to Shannon finding out about his death in the press.

June 8, 2023: John Amos' daughter claims her father is being abused and launches GoFundMe page

Shannon Amos caused fans concern when in June 2023, she wrote a post saying she was worried about her father’s health and claiming theComing to Americaactor was a victim of elder abuse, implicating that her brother was responsible.

In the same post, Shannon also revealed she started a GoFundMe page to help care for the actor. “Help us win this battle, send love, and kindle hope for the day we can dance together again. Your support means the world, as we navigate this darkness, united in the belief that justice and healing will prevail,” she wrote, before directing fans to the page through the link in her bio at the time.

The GoFundMe intended to raise $500,000 for “legal, medical, future housing, and care expenses.”

June 12, 2023: An elder abuse investigation launches in Colorado

“Mr. Amos has been a beloved member of our community for many years. He has also been an ardent supporter of our community and this sheriff’s office,” stated a press release from the organization that was shared with PEOPLE.

“We take allegations of crimes very seriously. We can confirm that an allegation was made to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office that Mr. Amos could be a victim of a crime," continued the release. “We are thoroughly investigating that allegation and have consulted with our partners at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Department of Human Services. We have also been in contact with Mr. Amos and his attorney.”

June 13, 2023: John Amos denies the allegations

Days after Shannon’s post, theGood Timesresponded to assure fans of his safety.

“To all of my fans, I want you to know that I am doing well. I am not in ICU, nor was I ever fighting for my life,” he said in a statementshared exclusively with PEOPLE.

“First, I want the GoFundMe campaign about me to stop immediately and the funds subsequently returned to those who made donations. My son and I will reveal more information at the appropriate time,” the statement concluded.

John Amos and daughter Shannon during Cure Autism Now Celebrates Third Annual “Acts of Love” - After Party.J.Sciulli/WireImage

J.Sciulli/WireImage

June 15, 2023: John Amos accuses his daughter of abuse

“She would be the primary suspect — if you would,” John, 83, said, in a video filmed from his hospital bed as he made a phone call. “I don’t know if that’s the right term to use or not. But she’s the one that I would attribute my elderly abuse to. It’s definitely a case of elderly abuse.”

John also took a call on video, and assured the caller that he was doing just fine.

“I’m not in the hospital as a result of anything that happened recently, other than the fact that about a month ago, I was hospitalized because I was suffering from water retention and a couple of other issues — all of which have been corrected, or at least addressed,” John said.

“I’m very capable and I’m very confident in the doctors that I have here and the medical staff that my son has assembled all around me. So I feel very good about that," he continued. “My main issues are, I feel like, prior to entering the hospital, I had some ongoing issues with my daughter, who I feel has taken advantage of me.”

June 18, 2023: Shannon’s GoFundMe Page is taken down

Days after John accused his daughter of abuse, the GoFundMe page intended to raise money for his financial assistancewas taken down. At the time, the page had received $13,000 of its intended $500,000 goal.

July 19, 2023: K.C. Amos is arrested after sending threatening texts to Shannon

The filing stated that Shannon believed “the immediacy of the threat and the likelihood that it would be carried out” after K.C. allegedly sent her text messages with photos of firearms and gang affiliations. The alleged texts made Shannon “fear for her life.”

Shannon claimed that K.C. sent her “terroristic threats” which included a video of him shooting a handgun and showed authorities text messages which read, “gonna sleep much better tonight big sis” attached to the photo of the handgun. Another photo of a rifle was captioned, “that big one can clean a turkey out from 3 football fields away,” according to the filing.

In the same complaint, Shannon also alleged that K.C. has bipolar disorder and she “fears that he may carry out threats from messages sent through text and is in fear for her life.”

Shannon also told police that K.C. believed that she had hired a person to kill him and he was retaliating because he thought his life was in danger, per the filing.

John Amos and K.C. Amos arrive at the 2015 Voice Arts Awards on November 15, 2015 in West Hollywood, California.Leon Bennett/Getty

Leon Bennett/Getty

July 20, 2023: Shannon Amos speaks out after K.C.’s arrest

A day after K.C.‘a arrest, Shannon revealed she was “pleased” her brother was “held accountable” for his actions.

“My family and I continue to advocate and fight for the proper care of my father,” Shannon said at the time in astatement to PEOPLE. “I am pleased that Kelly is being held accountable for his actions which have put my father’s health at risk, and look forward to resolving this matter in private with the proper authorities.”

Shannon continued, “Despite false accusations and defamatory statements being made against me, I remain committed to ensuring that he receives the best medical care. John Amos may be known as ‘America’s Dad’, but for me, he is my father.”

A rep for Shannon also emphasized the animosity between the two was “not asibling rivalry.”

“The family and Shannon are all working together to get John the care he needs,” the reps aid. “In fact, he actually told Shannon’s daughter that he did not recall any of the statements he previously made regarding this issue.”

Dec. 13, 2023: John Amos says he still loves his daughter

In anexclusive interview with PEOPLElast December, theRootsactor reflected on his relationship with his daughter and the rift between his kids.

“I love [Shannon]. K.C. loves his sister. We just have, I guess, what might be best described in the tabloids as an acrimonious relationship, but everything heals in time, and the love is still there,” John said.

The beloved actor told PEOPLE that “all families go through trials and tribulations of some sort” and said he hoped his family will have a “harmonious relationship at some point.”

“Right now, it is somewhat acrimonious, but never mind what you might read or hear about in the paper or on this medium or that medium platform. Suffice it to say we are still family, and we love each other, and that’s the bottom line,” he said.

Tibrina Hobson/WireImage

Feb. 3, 2024: John and K.C. speak about their upcoming documentary,America’s Dad

At the beginning of the year, John and his filmmaker sonspoke to PEOPLEabout their upcoming documentary chronicling the actor’s 50-year-long career and his role as a beloved patriarchal figure in the culture.

“It covers my career, his career, our joint careers,” John said at the time. “And it’s something that I think every father and son will want to see.”

“He has this way of telling stories to where you just have to be ready with the camera and get the true stories of his lifetime,” K.C., 53, added. “And it chronicles from his days growing up in Newark all the way up to things that he’s doing now and the days in between with playing football and moving on into entertainment.”

Last December, K.C. also opened up about the inspiration behind the documentary. “We’re calling itAmerica’s Dadbecause so many young men have come up to me and said, ‘Your father was my father,'” he said.

“And I mean, people of all walks of life. I mean, even guys [who] look like bikers with ZZ Top beards have come up to me and said, ‘Can I give you a hug? Your father was my father, man.’ And they just want a chance to shake his hand.”

March 4, 2024: John Amos says the ‘the real truth will come out’ following new allegations of elder abuse

After his daughter claimed to the Adult Protective Services that her brother wasn’t providing proper care for the 84-year-old actor, anew investigation launchedin Los Angeles to which John swiftly responded.

In a statement exclusive to PEOPLE, theGood Timesactor said, “I want to first say that I am feeling well and working diligently on various projects that I am involved in at this time, including the docuseries that my son and I are producing, along with a music release.”

“I’d like to add that everywhere we go together, people refer to my son K.C. as my twin. I’m proud of him for who he is as a person: a caring, thoughtful human being who respects me and I him.”

He continued, “Now, I will say this for now: This story about neglect is false and unmerited. The real truth will come out soon and you will hear it from me. Believe it.”

Shannon responded, telling PEOPLE in a statement, “People think this is about money and rivalry… it is not. We went through this before with my Mother, who also suffered tremendous neglect. We are trying to prevent the same thing from happening to my Father.”

She continued, “I love my brother and I hope he will get the help he needs, but we need to prioritize the safety of my father who is vulnerable, first and foremost. Anything else can be addressed within our family.”

April 2024: The LAPD closes John Amos’ elder abuse investigation

A month later, the LAPDclosed the investigationdue to lack of evidence. Shannon released a statement following the decision.

“While I acknowledge the efforts of the LAPD on my father’s case, I am disappointed with their conclusion since no one from my family has seen or spoken to my father since July 2023, when K.C. Amos, Eugene Brummet, and Belinda Foster removed him from a medical facility against doctors’ orders,” she said in a statement to PEOPLE.

“We continue to receive outreach from care providers, medical professionals, and others with evidence that raises concerns over his well-being and whether he is receiving the care his health requires.”

On April 10, the actor alsoissued a statementin response, saying in part, “I want to first of all thank the LAPD for their professionalism and thoroughness in their investigation in which they concluded that I am doing well. This is the same thing I have been saying all along in my response to the media.”

“I learned something very valuable some years ago that I reference in my work and all that I do. Stand on the truth and stay there. It won’t let you down,” he said later in the statement. “The truth will stand up for you. The LAPD’s conclusion of their investigation along with my upcoming documentary each stand on that same truth. I’m good and the best is yet to come. Believe it.”

John Amos and Shannon Amos.Shannon Amos Instagram

Shannon Amos Instagram

Oct. 1, 2024: K.C. reveals John Amos died in August

On Oct. 1, K.C. Amosannounced his beloved father had died.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” K.C. wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over."

“My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life,” he added. “Most recently inSuits LAplaying himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor,America’s Dad. He was my dad, my best friend and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”

Oct. 2, 2024: Shannon reveals she learned of her father’s death through the media

A day after the sad news was announced, Shannon revealed she learned of her father’s passing with the rest of the world.

“Our family has received the heartbreaking news that my Dad, John Allen Amos, Jr., transitioned on August 21st,” she wrote on Instagram.

“We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you.”

Shannon continued, “This should be a time of honoring and celebrating his life, yet we are struggling to navigate the wave of emotions and uncertainties surrounding his passing. Still, there is some semblance of peace in knowing my father is finally free.”

“My family and I deeply appreciate the outpouring of love, calls, and texts. Please continue to hold our family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you,” she concluded.

source: people.com