Who is John Amos’s Wife? All About Noel J. Mickelson

John Amos is a name many people know. He is a famous actor, known for playing strong father figures and important characters in television shows and movies that touched millions. Many remember him as James Evans Sr. on the TV show Good Times, or as the older Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking series Roots. Because he is so well-known, people are often curious about his personal life, including his family and the people he married.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Bio

Early Life and Background of Noel J. Mickelson

Noel J. Mickelson, who was sometimes known by the nickname “Noni,” was born on August 22, 1943. Her birthplace was Jackson County, in the state of Minnesota, USA.

She grew up in the American Midwest. Her parents were Wilbur Bernhart Mickelson and Dorothy Olive Mickelson (whose maiden name was Tims). Public records show her parents lived long lives, with her father passing away in 1990 and her mother in 2000.

Information about Noel’s childhood or siblings isn’t widely available, suggesting she likely grew up away from the public eye, living a normal life before her path crossed with a future star. Her journey eventually led her to higher education.

She attended Colorado State University. College is often a place where people meet lifelong friends or partners, and it seems this was true for Noel. It was during her time at Colorado State University that she met a young man also attending the school, John A. Amos Jr.

Marriage to John Amos

Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos met while they were both students at Colorado State University. Their connection grew, and they decided to get married. Their wedding took place on December 27, 1965. The ceremony was held right there at the university, in the campus chapel.

Their marriage began during a time when John Amos was just starting to build his career. He had interests in sports, particularly football, having played for Colorado State. He even had brief experiences with professional football teams before turning his focus towards acting and writing.

The mid-1960s was also a significant time in American history regarding social change. Interracial marriages, like that of Noel (who was white) and John (who was Black), faced societal challenges and were not yet fully accepted everywhere, although legal barriers were starting to come down nationwide around that time.

Their marriage lasted for about a decade. During this time, John Amos’s acting career began to take off. He landed roles like Gordy the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the early 1970s.

Then came his most famous role as James Evans Sr. on Good Times, which started in 1974. This show, focusing on a Black family in Chicago, became incredibly popular and made John Amos a household name, often seen as “America’s Dad.”

Noel and John’s marriage experienced the pressures that can come with rising fame and the demands of a career in entertainment. They eventually decided to part ways. Their divorce was finalized in August 1975 in Los Angeles, California.

Motherhood: Raising a Family

During their marriage, Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos welcomed two children into the world. They became parents to a daughter and a son, who have both grown up to have connections to the entertainment industry themselves.

Their first child is their daughter, Shannon Amos. Born around 1966, Shannon grew up to work in the film and entertainment world for many years, holding positions as an executive before reportedly pursuing other interests.

Their second child is their son, Kelly Christopher Amos, who is often known as K.C. Amos. Born around 1970, K.C. followed more directly in his father’s footsteps within the industry, becoming a film director, writer, producer, and editor. He has even worked together with his father on various projects.

Noel Mickelson was the mother who raised these two children during their formative years, sharing the journey of parenthood with John Amos during their time together. The children remain a lasting connection between Noel and John, representing the family they built during their decade-long marriage.

Life After the Spotlight

After her marriage to John Amos ended in 1975, Noel J. Mickelson chose to live her life away from the glare of Hollywood and public attention. While John Amos continued his successful acting career, appearing in major projects like Roots (which earned him an Emmy nomination) and films like Coming to America and Die Hard 2, Noel seemed to prefer privacy.

Information about her specific career path or activities after the divorce is not widely documented. Some sources mention she might have been an artist, which aligns with a creative spirit. There are also reports, found in genealogical records citing articles like one from The Hollywood Reporter, suggesting that she may have remarried later in life.

These reports suggest she married a man who worked as a special-effects engineer for Disney, and that he sadly passed away in 2005. Details about this chapter of her life remain largely private, respecting her choice to stay out of the public sphere.

Her life story highlights how people connected to celebrities often have their own paths that diverge from the fame of their former partners. Noel J. Mickelson appears to have successfully maintained a private life, focusing on her own journey after her time connected to the entertainment world through her marriage.

Understanding the Connection: John Amos’s Career and Later Life

To understand why people search for Noel J. Mickelson, it helps to remember the impact John Amos had. His role in Good Times made him a beloved figure. His powerful performance in Roots cemented his status as a respected actor. His comedic turn in Coming to America introduced him to new generations. These roles meant his personal life often drew interest.

After his divorce from Noel J. Mickelson in 1975, John Amos did marry again. In 1978, he married actress Lillian Lehman.

This marriage was very brief, ending in divorce in 1979. Later, he was also married to Elisabete De Sousa. Knowing this timeline helps clarify that Noel J. Mickelson was his first wife, Lillian Lehman was his second, and Elisabete De Sousa was a later wife.

John Amos continued acting for decades, appearing in shows like The West Wing and Men in Trees, and even reprising his role in Coming 2 America. Sadly, John Amos passed away in 2024, leaving behind a rich legacy in film and television.

Recent years saw difficult family headlines involving disputes between his children, Shannon and K.C., but his impact as an actor remains undeniable.

Remembering Noel J. Mickelson

Noel J. Mickelson passed away in 2016. She was about 72 years old at the time of her death. The specific location or details surrounding her passing are not widely public, which is consistent with the private life she maintained for decades.

When we look back at her life, Noel J. Mickelson is remembered primarily as the first wife of John Amos and the mother of his two children, Shannon and K.C. Amos.

She was part of John Amos’s life during his crucial early career years and the start of his rise to fame. She shared in the experience of building a family with him.

Beyond that public connection, she was an individual who experienced life’s journey, including her upbringing in Minnesota, her college years, her marriage, motherhood, and the later chapters of her life lived privately.

While the public may know her name mainly through her connection to a celebrity, she had her own story. Her choice to live quietly after her marriage ended is something to be respected.

FAQs

Who was Noel J. Mickelson?

Noel J. Mickelson, also known as “Noni,” was an artist, equestrian, and social worker. She gained public attention as the first wife of actor John Amos.

When did she marry John Amos?

Noel married John Amos in 1965. Their union occurred during a time when interracial marriages were illegal in many U.S. states.

Did they have children?

Yes, they had two children:

Shannon Amos (born 1966), a writer and producer.

Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos (born 1970), a director and producer.

When did they divorce?

They divorced in 1975 after a decade of marriage.

What were her passions?

Noel was passionate about art and horses. She was known for her skills as a carpenter and equestrian.

What happened in her later years?

After their divorce, Noel remarried a Disney special-effects engineer. She became a quadriplegic and blind following a botched surgery in 1996. She passed away in December 2016.

How did her daughter honor her?

To fulfill Noel’s unfulfilled dream of world travel, her daughter Shannon took her ashes on a journey to 14 countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, India, and Thailand.

The Bottom Line

Noel Jean Mickelson holds a specific place in the life story of famed actor John Amos. She was his first wife, married from 1965 to 1975, and the mother of his children, Shannon and K.C. Amos. Born in 1943, she met John in college, shared a decade of marriage with him as his star rose, and then largely stepped away from the public eye after their divorce.

While curiosity often surrounds the families of public figures, Noel Jean Mickelson’s life after her marriage to John Amos appears to have been intentionally private. The available information paints a picture of a woman connected to fame for a period but who ultimately chose a path away from the spotlight.

She passed away in 2016, leaving behind her children and the memory of her role in the early life of one of television’s most recognizable actors. Her story reminds us that behind every famous name, there are personal histories and individual lives, lived both in and out of the public gaze.