On Friday, Oct. 4, News One published a heartfelt essay by Arsenio Hall paying tribute to his late “Coming to America” co-stars James Earl Jones, who passed away in September, and John Amos, who died in August.

“In all the years I’ve called Hollywood home, I have never once heard anyone say, “James Earl Jones is an a**hole,” he began. “That is a rarity in a town where friends and enemies too often wear the same faces. These hills, sharp and jagged, gleam with the manic glow of manufactured, toxic metals; yet, there he stood—a natural gem whose light could still be seen from the corner of one’s eye long after he’d made his dignified exit.”

The 68-year-old reflected on the 2021 sequel “Coming 2 America,” noting that Jones could not travel, so he filmed his scenes in New York while the rest of the cast worked in Atlanta. He also shared fond memories from the original 1988 film, where he often turned to Jones for guidance and advice.

 "Before a scene or during hair and makeup, I might turn to him and ask, 'How do I approach this one?' " he continued. “As a young performer—a young Black performer—being able to ask him for acting advice was a gift I have never taken for granted. His wisdom fueled me; his generational talent both intimidated and inspired me.

Hall portrayed Amos as a radiant presence in the tribute, describing him as a "human ray of sunshine." While filming “Coming 2 America,” he said that he eagerly anticipated each scene with Amos, looking forward to the joy of seeing his face.

"He was a special guy, magnetic in his ability to pull one close to him with no effort at all. If he was in the room, I instinctively knew I needed to be there, too," he said, noting that Amos "hummed with intelligence, integrity, and brilliance," which was hard to find.

Hall also highlighted Amos' iconic role as James Evans in the 1970s television series “Good Times,” stating that “James Evans gave us an intimate look into the world of a working-class Black man just trying to make it.”

He continued, "We watched him struggle in a racist society that did not know what to do with a free Black man other than try to kill him or beat him down — even if in spirit only.”

Jones passed away at the age of 93, while Amos, died at 84, leaving fans, friends, and family heartbroken.