Suits LA Pays Tribute to John Amos with Heartfelt Storyline in Latest Episode
John Amos, who passed away in August 2024, made his final acting appearance in the series premiere of Suits LA. This Sunday, the NBC drama honored the late actor in a powerful and emotional tribute. The episode, titled “Good Times,” reflected on Amos’s impact both on and off-screen, as his character’s death served as a catalyst for reconciliation and reflection for the show’s characters.
In Suits LA, Amos portrayed himself in the spinoff’s debut, which aired on February 23, 2025. He appeared as a client at an entertainment law firm run by Ted Black, played by Stephen Amell. Though Amos’s character was initially represented by Ted, by the time of his death, he was under the care of Rick Dodson (Bryan Greenberg). This week’s episode saw Ted and Rick grappling with the news of Amos’s passing, prompting them to reconnect and reminisce about the late actor.
In a poignant scene, Ted and Rick meet at a restaurant, where they drink to Amos’s memory. Rick, clearly affected by the loss, drinks heavily as the two reflect on their former client and friend. Ted, struggling with the loss, toasts to “America’s father,” a fitting tribute to an actor who shaped the landscape of television with his iconic roles.
Later, a drunken Rick stumbles onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame and laments the fact that Amos doesn’t have a star. In a moment of inspired drunkenness, Rick and Ted vow to rectify this injustice. They approach a board member of the Walk of Fame, who promises a star in two years. However, Ted is not satisfied with this timeline.
“The man’s a legend, he’s an icon,” Ted exclaims, arguing that Amos’s contributions to Black America and television deserved recognition decades ago. “If you can’t recognize that, you’re in the wrong goddamn business!” Ted’s impassioned speech reflects his frustration with the way Amos had been overlooked for so long. The scene highlights the lasting impact Amos had on television and his representation of fatherhood and strength for generations of viewers.
The episode also delves deeper into Ted’s personal struggles, particularly his strained relationship with his own father. His unresolved issues with his father were mirrored in his relationship with Amos, whom he had a falling out with shortly before his passing. Ted reveals that Amos had advised him to reconcile with his father before it was too late, a lesson that becomes even more poignant with Amos’s own death. Ted’s journey of self-reflection and regret provides a powerful emotional arc in the episode.
The episode closes with a touching tribute to Amos. Ted and Kevin, along with Rick and Erica, watch the Good Times episode “The Gang: Part 2,” in which Amos delivers an unforgettable performance that still resonates with audiences today. As the applause from the studio audience fades, a dedication to John Amos wraps up the episode, leaving viewers with a sense of bittersweet closure.
