John Amos died on August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes, as confirmed by his representative on Tuesday. He was 84.
“With a career spanning over five decades, Amos leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking work in both television and film, along with a commitment to positive African American representation in media,” the statement read.
The late actor is best known for his role as James Evans Sr. on Good Times, where he portrayed a hardworking father striving to provide for his family in a challenging environment. His character’s emphasis on education and family values left a lasting impact on viewers. In real life, Amos was the father of two children, Shannon and K.C., with his second wife, Noel J. Mickelson. The couple divorced in 1975.
Here’s everything you need to know about Amos’ two adult children.
Mickelson and Amos’ first child, daughter Shannon, was born on August 5, 1966.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Noel moved Shannon to the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles at a young age to support John’s acting career. The Roots star discouraged his children from following in his footsteps, but Shannon became involved in the entertainment industry as a producer, working on shows like Yo! MTV Raps and America’s Most Wanted. She also handled marketing for films such as I Am Legend and Blood Diamond.
In 2003, she produced her younger sibling’s first indie feature, The Watermelon Heist. “I chose to do what I thought was what I was supposed to do, which would be to honor my family’s legacy,” Shannon explained on the Out Front with Vince Noble podcast.
