Wieners Circle Mourns Death Of Actor John Amos, McDowell’s Big Mick (Not Big Mac) Innovator
A Tribute to a Beloved Character
If you’ve never seen the movie “Coming To America,” you may be confused by the message today on the Wieners Circle’s iconic sign: “RIP TO OUR MENTOR CLEO MCDOWELL.”
A Legacy in Comedy and Drama
Cleo McDowell is a character portrayed by actor John Amos in the 1989 Eddie Murphy movie “Coming to America.” Amos died Aug. 21 of natural causes, Variety announced Tuesday. He was 84.
A Career Spanning Decades
Throughout his career, Amos appeared in numerous films and television shows, including the classic sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” the miniseries “Roots,” and the television series “The West Wing.”
A Chicago Connection
Although a New Jersey native, Amos has another Chicago connection: He played dad James Evans in Norman Lear’s 1970s sitcom “Good Times,” which was set in the Cabrini-Green housing projects.
A Legacy of Authenticity
Amos clashed with Lear and the other creators over the series, wanting a more authentic depiction of a Black family and objecting to the show playing up Jimmy Walker’s cartoonish character of J.J. at the expense of the other characters. Amos wound up leaving the series after three seasons, and Lear killed off the James Evans character at the start of season four.
A Legacy in Comedy
Amos’ fans, like our friends at Wieners Circle, can likely relate to this iconic “Good Times” scene in which James’ wife, Florida Evans, rages over the death of her husband:
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A Tribute from Wieners Circle
Wieners Circle has shown a lot of love for “Coming To America” and McDowell’s — even decking itself out as the fictional restaurant for Halloween. Just last week, after the famed hot dog stand was burglarized, it tweeted a gif from the movie.
So it makes sense that Wieners Circle would honor the McDowell’s proprietor today, adding in the Twitter caption, “We’ve lost a lot of good ones this week.”
A Legacy in Comedy and Drama
Throughout his career, Amos appeared in numerous films and television shows, including the classic sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” the miniseries “Roots,” and the television series “The West Wing.”
A Legacy of Authenticity
Amos clashed with Lear and the other creators over the series, wanting a more authentic depiction of a Black family and objecting to the show playing up Jimmy Walker’s cartoonish character of J.J. at the expense of the other characters. Amos wound up leaving the series after three seasons, and Lear killed off the James Evans character at the start of season four.
Conclusion
John Amos may be gone, but his legacy lives on through his iconic characters and memorable performances. Wieners Circle’s tribute to Cleo McDowell is a testament to the impact Amos had on the world of comedy and drama.
FAQs
Q: Who was John Amos?
A: John Amos was an American actor, best known for his roles in the movies “Coming to America” and “Roots,” as well as the television shows “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Good Times.”
Q: What was McDowell’s?
A: McDowell’s was a fictional restaurant in the movie “Coming to America,” owned by Cleo McDowell, played by John Amos. The restaurant was a central plot point in the movie, and its menu was a parody of McDonald’s.
Q: Why did Wieners Circle honor John Amos?
A: Wieners Circle honored John Amos because of his iconic role as Cleo McDowell in the movie “Coming to America.” The hot dog stand has a long history of celebrating the movie and its characters, and Amos’ passing was a significant loss for the community.
