John Amos’ Marriage to His First Wife Was Forbidden — What Did the Pretty Lady, with Whom He Welcomed Two Kids, Look Like?

John Amos was a successful actor with a career spanning over five decades, including many acting credits. His notable projects include the sitcom “Good Times,” the drama series “Roots,” where he won an Emmy Award for playing Kunta Kinte, and the film franchise “Coming to America.”

While he maintained a constant presence in the Hollywood scene, the star kept his life private. Even though little is known about John’s personal life, he was married twice and has two children from his first marriage to Noel J. Mickelson.

Like his relationships, the talented actor kept his children out of the spotlight for most of their lives. They are now older and have shared more about their family on social media.

Losing the Mother of His Kids

Noel was the mother of John’s only children, Shannon and K.C. Amos. She was a well-known equestrian, architect, environmentalist, and artist with a deep love and respect for nature.

Shannon credited her late mother for teaching her and K.C. to express themselves creatively. Her brother occasionally shares throwback photos of their mother, whom they call “Noni,” and the sweet moments they shared.

In one of his Instagram posts uploaded in 2023, he reflected on how their mother raised them. One thing he revealed was that she made them have dinner by 6:00 p.m.

John Amos’ first wife passed away in December 2016, surrounded by her family.

In her last moments, she expressed regret that she could not travel to see the world. Shannon then vowed to take her ashes around the world to fulfill her last wish and began doing so in January 2017. What stood out about John’s marriage to Noel was that it occurred when interracial couples were looked down upon.

A Forbidden Love

According to Shannon, John and Noel’s love story began in college. The actor was playing football while studying sociology at Colorado State University when he met her, and it was love at first sight.

But the pair had many differences. They were from different countries; she was an Ashkenazi Jew and a descendant of Eastern Europeans, while his ancestors were Ghanaian. Despite their differences, they shared a strong connection that eventually became a long-lasting love.

Their love overcame their inhibitions about race, but unfortunately not society’s. They lived during the civil rights movement when Black people were actively fighting against segregation and racial discrimination in the country.

By 1965, interracial marriage was illegal in about 16 states. Yet, the two lovebirds went ahead and tied the knot. Whether their respective families approved of the union remains unclear.

Their courage was rewarded in 1967 when the United States Supreme Court overturned legislation banning interracial marriages. This made John and Noel’s marriage legally recognized nationwide. The couple’s union came with children.

What We Know about Noel and John’s Children

John and Noel welcomed their first child, Shannon Amos, a year before being legally recognized as a married couple. Shannon also works in the entertainment industry, but mainly behind the scenes. She served as a writer and producer for media giants like BET and MTV.

The former couple welcomed their second child, son Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos — nicknamed for John’s time playing football for the Kansas City Chiefs — in 1970. Like his father and sister, he is in the industry and works as a director, producer, and video editor.

He has had a hand in films such as “The Watermelon Heist,” “Tamales and Gumbo,” and “Hauntsville.” John and the children’s mother did their best to raise them in an environment that racism could not penetrate, but society’s prejudice eventually caught up with them.

Fortunately, she and K.C. still maintained a strong bond with their parents and consider their famous father as one of their biggest inspirations.

Shannon Amos once revealed on Instagram that her family faced an armed racist who aimed a gun at her father. It was her first encounter with their harsh reality, and the incident prompted her parents to explain it to her.

John and his first wife separated in 1975. Unfortunately, a year later, he was fired from “Good Times.” They let him go after repeated conflicts with the show’s writers resulted in his character being eliminated.

The actor later married a second time. He and actress Lillian Lehman secretly tied the knot, but by 1979, their union had ended, and they separated. John was over 80 when he passed away.

A Legend Is Gone

According to K.C., his father died on August 21, 2024, at age 84. The late actor’s son revealed that the star passed away from natural causes in Los Angeles. In a touching statement, K.C. announced, “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned.”

Honoring the actor who played the weatherman Gordy on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” he said, “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold … and he was loved the world over.” Shannon’s younger sibling added, “Many fans consider him their TV father.”

K.C. also shared, “He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”

May John’s family find strength as they continue grieving their loss.