The Untold Story Of John Amos's Wives: From Noel Mickelson To The Shocking 2024 Estate Battle

The legendary actor John Amos, best known for his iconic roles as James Evans Sr. on Good Times and Kunta Kinte in Roots, passed away on August 21, 2024, leaving behind a monumental legacy in film and television. However, the story of his personal life, particularly his marriages and the subsequent family drama, is as compelling and complex as any role he ever played.

As of today, December 10, 2025, the most current and shocking development in his personal life is the ongoing, bitter legal feud between his two children over his estate, a battle fueled by prior allegations of elder abuse. This article delves into the lives of the women who shared the late star’s life and the turbulent events that have followed his death.

John Amos: A Complete Biography and Profile

John Allen Amos Jr. was a celebrated American actor, director, and writer whose career spanned over five decades. His powerful performances earned him Emmy and NAACP Image Award nominations, cementing his place as a Hollywood icon. His life, however, was marked by both professional triumphs and personal complexities.

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• Full Name: John Allen Amos Jr.
• Date of Birth: December 27, 1939
• Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
• Date of Death: August 21, 2024
• Cause of Death: Congestive Heart Failure
• Age at Death: 84
• Occupations: Actor, Writer, Director, Former Professional Football Player (AFL)
• Notable Roles: James Evans Sr. (Good Times), Kunta Kinte (Roots), Cleo McDowell (Coming to America and Coming 2 America), Admiral Percy Fitzwallace (The West Wing)
• First Wife: Noel J. Mickelson (m. 1965; div. 1975)
• Second Wife: Lillian Lehman (m. 1978; div. 1979)
• Children: Shannon Amos (Daughter), K.C. Amos (Son)

The Two Confirmed Marriages of John Amos

John Amos was officially married twice. Both relationships were with accomplished women, though they varied greatly in length and public profile. Understanding these relationships is key to grasping the full picture of the actor's life outside of his demanding career.

1. Noel J. Mickelson: The First Wife and Mother of His Children

John Amos’s first wife, Noel J. Mickelson, was the woman with whom he shared his longest and most foundational relationship, spanning a decade. She is the mother of his two children, Shannon and K.C. Amos.

Who Was Noel J. Mickelson?

Noel J. Mickelson was an American artist, craftswoman, and equestrian. Born Noel Jean Mickelson on August 22, 1943, in Jackson County, Minnesota, she maintained a career outside of the spotlight despite her husband's rising fame.

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Their marriage began in 1965, predating his breakout role on Good Times. The couple welcomed their daughter, Shannon Amos, and their son, K.C. Amos, during this period. Despite the birth of their children, the marriage ended in divorce in 1975. Noel Mickelson passed away in 2016.

2. Lillian Lehman: The Brief Marriage to a Fellow Actress

Following his divorce from Noel, John Amos entered into a second marriage with actress Lillian Lehman. This union was notably short-lived, lasting just over a year.

Who is Lillian Lehman?

Lillian Lehman is a veteran American actress with a career that has spanned over four decades in television and film. She is known for her roles in various popular TV series, demonstrating a successful career parallel to Amos's own. The couple married in 1978 but divorced a year later in 1979. Details surrounding the end of this brief relationship have remained private, but it marked the end of John Amos's officially confirmed marriages.

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The Mystery of the Third Wife: Elisabete De Sousa

While most major biographical sources confirm only two marriages for John Amos, a persistent rumor and a few less-verified online profiles suggest a third wife: Elisabete De Sousa.

One unverified source claims that Amos was married to Elisabete De Sousa since 1982. However, there is a significant lack of official documentation, public statements, or widespread media coverage to confirm this long-term union, especially when compared to the well-documented, albeit brief, marriage to Lillian Lehman. The absence of a clear public record means that Elisabete De Sousa remains an unconfirmed entity in the narrative of John Amos’s personal life. The actor himself was famously private in his later years, which may have contributed to the ambiguity surrounding his relationship status post-1979.

The Shocking 2024 Estate Battle and Elder Abuse Claims

The most recent and highly publicized chapter of John Amos's personal story is the dramatic and painful legal battle that erupted after his passing. This family conflict provides the freshest and most compelling context for his final years and legacy.

The 2023 Elder Abuse Allegations

The feud began publicly in June 2023 when John Amos’s daughter, Shannon Amos, raised serious allegations of elder abuse and financial exploitation against her brother, K.C. Amos. Shannon claimed that her father was a victim, stating that K.C. was exploiting his resources and neglecting his care. These claims led to an investigation by the local Sheriff’s office in Colorado, where Amos was residing.

The District Attorney’s office ultimately dismissed the initial criminal claims, but the public rift between the siblings was irreversible.

The Post-Death Probate War

Following John Amos’s death in August 2024, the dispute escalated into a full-blown legal "probate war" over his estate. In a major update, Shannon Amos filed a civil lawsuit against her brother, K.C. Amos. The lawsuit reiterates the claims of elder abuse, fraud, and financial misconduct, seeking to hold her brother accountable for his actions during their father’s final years.

This ongoing legal battle casts a shadow over the otherwise celebrated life of the actor. It highlights the complex dynamics between his children, Shannon Amos, a film and television producer, and K.C. Amos, a Grammy-nominated director, as they fight for control over the late star’s assets and legacy. The case remains a prominent topic in entertainment news, emphasizing that even after his death, the personal life of John Amos continues to generate headlines.

The Enduring Legacy of John Amos

While the final chapter of his life was marred by family conflict and legal drama, John Amos's legacy remains defined by his powerful contributions to arts and culture. His two confirmed wives, Noel J. Mickelson and Lillian Lehman, played distinct roles in his personal journey, with Noel being the mother of his two children and Lillian being a brief partner during his rise to fame.

The details of his marriages, the unconfirmed relationship with Elisabete De Sousa, and the current legal feud all contribute to a nuanced picture of a man who was both a celebrated public figure and a private individual navigating a complicated family life. The resolution of the estate battle, fueled by the elder abuse allegations, will ultimately determine the final narrative surrounding the personal life of the great John Amos. The public continues to watch for the next major update in this unfortunate and high-stakes legal saga.