John Amos and his daughter Shannon.Photo:J.Sciulli/WireImage
J.Sciulli/WireImage
John Amosis putting family first.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, theGood Timesalum, 83, and his filmmaker sonK.C. Amosreflected on the relationship they have with Shannon Amos, months after the actoraccused her of “elderly abuse.”
“It is his sibling, that is my daughter, my first child. I love her. K.C. loves his sister. We just have, I guess, what might be best described in the tabloids is an acrimonious relationship, but everything heals in time, and the love is still there,” John, who played theGood Timespatriarch James Evans, tells PEOPLE.
John Amos in November 2014.Craig Barritt/Getty
Craig Barritt/Getty
TheRootsactor explains that he believes that “all families go through trials and tribulations of some sort” and tells PEOPLE that he hopes their 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 says.
Concern over John’s health arose in June after his daughter wrote anInstagram poststating that she received a “distressing call” from her father and claimed that he was a “victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation.”
Shannon thenfiled a complaint with the Colorado Bureau of Investigationandcreated a GoFundMe campaignasking for “legal, medical, future housing, and care expenses” for him.John denied the claimsand told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement that he was “doing well.”
John Amos as James Evans, Sr. in “Good Times”.CBS via Getty
CBS via Getty
“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. First, I want the GoFundMe campaign about me to stop immediately, and the funds subsequently returned to those who made donations,” the statement read.
In avideoK.C. uploaded to Instagram, John reiterated the same sentiments andalleged that Shannon, not K.C., has “taken advantage” of him.
“She would be the primary suspect — if you would. 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,” he said as he made a phone call from a hospital bed.
A representative for Shannon told PEOPLE at the time that she was “disheartened at the continuation of false and defamatory statements being made against her.”
John will continue to speak out about his life in an upcoming docuseries, titledAmerica’s Dad. Although a release date has not been set, he tells PEOPLE that he hopes viewers “will find it informative, find it truthful, and find it something they can relate to.”
“We’re calling itAmerica’s Dadbecause so many young men have come up to me and said, ‘Your father was my father,'” K.C. tells PEOPLE. “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.”
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“I know I was in the hands of probably the most innovative and important figure ever to grace television or any studio production facility. He was one of a lifetime master, an innovator, and he had tremendous character,” he tells PEOPLE.
source: people.com