John Amos’ son, K.C., was arrested in July in New Jersey after his daughter, Shannon, accused him of sending threatening text messages. This is just the latest in a string of dramatic incidents involving the siblings this year, as they’ve been in a heated dispute over their father’s care, each alleging elder abuse. But The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the situation is much more complex than it seems on the surface.
Their family drama offers a harrowing glimpse into the life of John Amos, renowned for his role as James Evans Sr. on “Good Times”. The feuding siblings, a music video director and an entertainment executive, both believe they are innocent and the other is villainous. Their 83-year-old father, who has struggled to navigate the dispute, is concerned that their family affairs have become public fodder.
Behind the scenes, the siblings are skilled storytellers. Despite their disagreements, they agree that the value of storytelling is paramount. K.C. and Shannon are actively pitching what they perceive as their version of the truth. Shannon argues that their family’s turmoil could be a potential movie plot, while K.C. invokes his father’s role in “Roots”, comparing his arrest to becoming Kunta Kinte.
The drama extends to social media, where K.C. has been documenting their travels with his father, drawing criticism from Shannon and others. They recently had a contentious lunch with The Hollywood Reporter, where John and K.C. defended their intention to continue sharing lighthearted videos on platforms like TikTok. They assert that they are ignored the opinions of people close to the family, who have privately expressed concerns about the content being too frivolous.
Furthermore, John and K.C. shared their decision to move from Colorado, where John had been living, due to health-related reasons and suspicions of financial exploitation. Despite their differences, both John and K.C. stand united in their portrayal of Shannon as a contentious figure, spurring further audio and video evidence of their disagreements.
John’s children are from his first marriage, which endured challenges due to their interracial relationship. This tumultuous background adds a complex layer to the ongoing family feud.
