In the 1960s, John Amos defied societal norms when he married a white woman during a tumultuous and racially tense period in America. Take a look at their unique journey and what the actor’s first wife looked like.
John Amos, a celebrated actor, lived a life that was remarkable both on and off the screen. When interracial marriages were still illegal in many states, he made the bold decision to marry Noel Mickelson, a white woman from Iowa.
John Amos, circa 1975. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the odds being stacked against them, the couple welcomed two children and built a life together. Get a glimpse of the iconic actor’s interracial marriage and what his rarely-seen first wife looked like.
John Amos at the “Showing Roots” New York screening on May 17, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
A Legacy in Hollywood and Beyond
John was a trailblazer in Hollywood, known for his roles on television. Rising to fame in the 1970s, the actor first captured audiences’ hearts with his portrayal of Gordy Howard, a weatherman on the wildly successful “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
Gavin MacLeod as Murray Slaughter and John Amos as Gordon Howard on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” circa 1972. | Source: Getty Images
His role as James Evans Sr. on “Good Times” further cemented his status as a beloved figure in the entertainment world. Over the decades, John’s versatility shone through in various films and television series, but it wasn’t just his career that made him memorable — it was also his groundbreaking personal life.
The actor’s life was defined by the challenges he faced as a Black man in America, a journey that began long before his Hollywood success. John had been one of the first Black students to integrate predominantly white schools in New Jersey, enduring the harsh realities of racism early on.
He once recalled the painful experiences of being singled out because of his skin color, with classmates often treating him as a curiosity rather than an equal. “I had suffered those indignities in real life integrating those two schools,” John said.
“Having kids wipe their finger along your cheek to see if the black came off, or saying about my nose, ‘Geez, can you breathe through that thing or walk through it?'” the actor continued.
John Amos and Esther Rolle filming “Good Times,” circa 1974. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the prejudice he faced, John’s teachers saw something special in him. They encouraged his passion for acting, nurturing his talents and motivating him to explore the creative arts.
That encouragement became the catalyst for a successful career in Hollywood, one that transcended the entertainment industry and touched the lives of many.
Sadly, on August 21, 2024, the world lost John at the age of 84. His passing was confirmed by his son, Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos, in a heartfelt statement. “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned. He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over,” K.C. shared.
John’s daughter, Shannon Amos, wrote in part in an Instagram post, “We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened […].” The actor’s legacy continues to inspire, not just as an actor, but as a man who overcame great adversity with dignity and grace.
John Amos’ Interracial Marriage
While John’s professional journey was extraordinary, his personal life was equally groundbreaking. In the 1960s, when America was still grappling with intense racial divides, John married Noel J. Mickelson, a white woman from Estherville, Iowa.
The pair met while attending college at Colorado State University, and despite the societal norms of the time, they fell in love. Shannon revealed in an Instagram post, “It was illegal in 16 states for whites to marry Blacks when my parents got married in 1965.”
John came from Newark, New Jersey, an urban environment vastly different from Noel’s rural upbringing. The turbulent racial atmosphere at the time added to the challenges John and Noel faced in building their life together
Shannon highlighted, “On Feb 21st, 1965, just 2 months after their marriage, Malcolm X was assassinated. Two years later, Martin Luther King was gunned down. In the midst of it all, their love would produce a child — me.”
Shannon and John Amos | Source: Instagram/officialshannonamos
The couple welcomed their first child, Shannon, in 1967, a year before the landmark Loving v. Virginia case, which would make interracial marriage legal across the United States.
This landmark decision, issued by the U.S. Supreme Court, struck down laws banning interracial marriage, ending the legal persecutions endured by couples like the Lovings. While Shannon and K.C., their second child, grew up, the world around them was changing, though not always fast enough.
Noel Mickelson and Shannon Amos | Source: Instagram/officialshannonamos
In her Instagram post, Shannon further reflected on her early childhood, “As a child, I didn’t know my parents were different colors. I only saw them as my parents — the two people who loved me. All I knew was their love.”
However, her innocence was shattered when she was just five years old during a cross-country trip with her family. At a gas station in Arizona, a white man approached their car with a loaded shotgun, shouting racial slurs and threats at the actor and his family.
That incident marked the day Shannon’s parents had to explain racism to her. Her previously untouched view of the world would forever be changed, but the bond between her parents remained strong.
John, who had initially pursued a career in professional football, often credited Noel for supporting him in his eventual transition to acting. After their college years, they moved to New Jersey, where both worked as social workers.
Noel, an artist by nature, encouraged John to pursue his creative passions. She understood the risks of leaving behind a stable career for an uncertain path in entertainment.
This leap of faith would eventually lead John to success, first in stand-up comedy in Greenwich Village and later in television, landing key roles that made him a household name.
John and Shannon Amos | Source: Instagram/officialshannonamos
Noel, who was a talented equestrian, and John raised their children on a property in Sylmar, a suburban part of the San Fernando Valley. Their home was a hub of creativity, with pool parties and gatherings that included stars like Ben Vereen and Margaret Avery.
However, as John’s career grew, the pressures of fame began to take a toll on their marriage. By the time Shannon was nine years old, her parents had separated.
Shannon and John Amos | Source: Instagram/officialshannonamos
The famous actor’s daughter recalled the difficult time for her mother, who struggled emotionally after the separation. “I think my mom had a nervous breakdown,” Shannon revealed.
She further recalled her mother’s sudden weight loss and emotional distress during the final stages of Noel’s and John’s marriage. After his divorce from Noel, John married actress Lillian Lehman in 1978, but their marriage was short-lived, lasting only 19 months.
John Amos, circa 2000. | Source: Getty Images
The Amos Children
Shannon and K.C. followed in his footsteps, building their careers in the entertainment industry. Shannon, an accomplished writer, director, and producer, worked in the film industry for many years.
However, a transformative experience involving her mother eventually led her to leave Hollywood. According to her X, formerly Twitter, bio, she is now a Transformational Coach and Wellness Curator Centering Women.
Shannon and John Amos | Source: Instagram/officialshannonamos
When asked about growing up with a famous father, Shannon reflected on her childhood fondly, “For me, my dad was just my dad. As a child, I just saw what he did as a job, but as I got older, I began to see how many lives he impacted through his role as a strong Black man and father.
K.C., like his sister, pursued a career in the film industry as a director, producer, and writer. He also spoke highly of his father’s influence, “I saw that his role was more than a job; that he was actually helping people through his role as a strong father dedicated to mentoring his TV kids.”
Despite their professional success and admiration for their father, Shannon and K.C.’s relationship has been strained in recent years. In July 2023, K.C. was reportedly arrested in New Jersey after Shannon accused him of sending her threatening text messages.
According to the police report, the texts made her fear for her life, with one message including a photo of a rifle with a caption explaining that it “can clean a turkey out from 3 football fields away.” Though tensions between Shannon and K.C. escalated, John downplayed the conflict, asserting that their family bond remained intact.
“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,” the actor stated.
John Amos and Noel Mickelson’s love story defied societal norms and broke barriers during a time of intense racial division. Though their marriage eventually ended, their journey together left a lasting impact, shaping their children’s lives and standing as a testament to love’s ability to challenge adversity, even when it doesn’t last forever.
