Noel J. Mickelson was a white American artist, equestrian, architect, environmentalist, herbalist, and the first wife of African-American actor John Amos. While she wrapped herself through the fame of her ex-husband, she was also famous for bridging the gap that racism brought. Mickelson married Amos at a time when anti-miscegenation laws were passed by most American states to stop interracial marriage.
In any case, Noel led a successful life in her own right but the triumph of her ex’s career as an actor brought more fame to her. John Amos is a 85-year-old actor famed for his roles in Coming to America (1988; 2021), Two Evil Eyes (1990), and Christmas in Miami (2021).
Here are 10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Noel J. Mickelson
1. John Amos’ Ex-Wife Traces Her Ancestry to Ashkenazi Jew
Noel Jean Mickelson “Noni” is an American with an Eastern-Europe descent. She is of Ashkenazi, Jewish ancestry – a Jewish diaspora population.
On the other hand, her ex-husband is an African-American with Ghanaian ancestry. He was born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey. He returned to Africa (Liberia for his 82nd birthday in 2021) and was in fact, crowned a Paramount Chief of Liberia during the 200 liberation celebration of Liberia.
2. Noel Mickelson is from a Generation of Herbal People From Denmark
Mickelson’s family immigrated from Denmark and she is from a family of medical women.
She also learned the art and her daughter Shannon would later explore it as a career. Shannon also intends to pass it to her own daughter and the practice may continue to be passed to generation.
In an interesting manner, Amos’ mother was also a medicine woman who worked with several herbs and plants to bring healing.
3. She Met Her Husband in College
Noni attended Colorado State University and it was there that she met John Amos who later became her husband. Despite the many obvious differences between them, it was love at first sight.
Although it is difficult to state what Noel studied at the institution, her husband of 10 years studied sociology and also played college American football.
4. Noel J. Mickelson and John Married When Interracial Marriage Was Frowned at
In 1965, Mickelson and Amos were married. Just about 5 years before their union, interracial marriage was forbidden in 31 United States in 1960. Then in 1965 when they married, it was interracial union was illegal in about 16 states.
Regardless, in 1967, marriage between people of color and whites was made legal when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the law that stopped interracial marriages.
They are not the first famous people to beat the odds that come with mixed marriages. Mariah Carey’s parents (Alfred Roy Carey and Patricia Carey) also went through a similar route when they married in 1960. In fact, they faced racism and the family was even shot at.
5. Noni Had Amos’ Only 2 Children
The equestrian and her actor ex-husband welcomed 2 children from their union. The first is a boy named Kelly Christopher “K.C” Amos and the second is a daughter named Shannon Amos.
Shannon, 47, was born on December 21, 1977, and has followed in the footsteps of her dad by contributing immensely to the Hollywood industry. She is a writer and producer.
She is also the founder of Afterglow Multimedia and LLC. She is also known for producing videos for well-known rappers such as Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre.
Noel and John’s second and youngest son, Kelly Christopher Amos is a 54-year-old who was born on 18 October 1970. He is a renowned actor and director. He has worked in well-recognized movies such as Syphon Gun, a 1995 movie that earned him two awards. He also played another role in Hauntsville (2016) and he directed Mercy for Angels (2015). K.C. was also nominated for a Grammy award for his music video for Long Form.
However, K. C. has taken a break from directing since his 2015 movie, Talmas and Gumbo. He shares an interesting strong bond with his father as pictures of both of them together are splattered all over the internet although he tries to stay away from social media in recent times as he lives a very low-key life. His net worth is estimated to be about $100,000.
Shannon and K.C Amos, Noel’s kids with John Amos, are the only kids John Amos has as he had no kids with his second wife, Lillian, and no known kids with his third wife, Elisabete De Sousa.
6. Her Daughter was in a Controversial Report that Involves John Amos
In June 2023, Noel’s daughter opened a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her actor father who was ill and had fluid in the lower part of his body that reached his abdomen and caused heart issues. She also added that the fluid was removed and the Good Time actor was feeling better.
While the ailment was true, the controversial thing she said was that her father was a victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation.
Well, Amos’ longtime publicist spoke up and claimed that both she and the actor were not aware of Shannon’s claims.
Regardless, investigations jumped on the case, calling Amos could be a victim of a crime.
The news was only linked to K.C. whom Shannon allegedly called adult protection against. The story that K.C. shared on Instagram claimed that his sister said he also didn’t take care of Mickelson in 2009.
See Also: Darragh Moore- Every Interesting Thing You Didn’t Know About Lecrae’s Wife
7. Mickelson Had a Divorce After 10 Years of Marriage
Noel and John’s divorce was described as a ‘wrecking divorce’ as it came while their kids were too young to understand the meaning of divorce, separation, and a broken family.
Three years after her separation from John, her ex-husband got hitched to Lillian Lehman who was an entertainer. They had an open relationship for three years before getting married from 1978 to 1979 (1 year, 7 months).
Noel’s ex-husband remarried for a third time in 1982 to Elisabete De Sousa, an actress.
On the other hand, Noel J. Mickelson has no record of remarrying. Since her separation from John Amos, there is no picture or publication of her in another relationship nor remarrying to date.
It is also stated that John Amos had a relationship with Ella Joyce during his first two marriages.
8. The Mother of 2 was Involved in Numerous Things and She Loved Nature
The Colorado graduate cum mother of 2 was an architect, equestrian, and artist who was also enthusiastic about nature and animals.
Yet, she reached the limelight as a result of her famous marriage to John Allen Amos. Her ex was initially an American footballer before he delved into Hollywood and honed a career in acting.
He later became famous for his roles in movies and series, including Coming To America, Roots, Good Times, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Moreso, Amos won several awards and recognitions throughout his career.
9. Noel J. Mickelson Died in 2016
The former celebrity spouse died in December 2016, surrounded by her loved ones. The same year, her ex was featured in the film, Hauntsville.
Also, it was the same year that Amos played the character of Ed Bishop in the series, The Ranch.
10. Her Ashes May Round the Globe
Noel J. Mickelson had the dream to travel the world before she passed. In a bit to make her wish come true, her daughter Shannon intends to take her late mother’s ashes to different parts of the world.
According to AmoMama, Shannon already started this since 2017.
