David Bridges
John Amos died on August 21 in Los Angeles of pure causes, as confirmed by his consultant on Tuesday. He was 84.
“With a profession spanning over 5 many years, Amos leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking work in each tv and movie, together with a dedication to constructive African American illustration in media,” the assertion learn.
The late actor is greatest recognized for his function as James Evans Sr. on Good Instances, the place he portrayed a hardworking father striving to offer for his household in a difficult surroundings. His character’s emphasis on schooling and household values left an enduring affect on viewers. In actual life, Amos was the daddy of two kids, Shannon and Okay.C., along with his second spouse, Noel J. Mickelson. The couple divorced in 1975.
Right here’s every little thing that you must find out about Amos’ two grownup kids.
Shannon Amos, 58
Mickelson and Amos’ first baby, daughter Shannon, was born on August 5, 1966.
In accordance with The Hollywood Reporter, Noel moved Shannon to the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles at a younger age to assist John’s appearing profession. The Roots star discouraged his kids from following in his footsteps, however Shannon grew to become concerned within the leisure business as a producer, engaged on exhibits like Yo! MTV Raps and America’s Most Needed. She additionally dealt with advertising and marketing for movies resembling I Am Legend and Blood Diamond.
In 2003, she produced her youthful sibling’s first indie function, The Watermelon Heist. “I selected to do what I assumed was what I used to be purported to do, which might be to honor my household’s legacy,” Shannon defined on the Out Entrance with Vince Noble podcast.
Shannon labored within the movie business for over 20 years earlier than altering her profession path. In 2020, she launched her personal wellness journey firm, Sumanah. She defined her resolution on the podcast, saying, “I wasn’t feeling as fulfilled as I assumed I might… even on the pinnacle of my profession. I grew to become disenchanted.”
In 2021, Shannon settled in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. “My dad all the time inspired me to dwell my greatest life,” she advised AmoMama. “And so I do this.”
Shannon has a daughter, Queira Noelle, born on November 30, 1991.
Kelly Christopher “Okay.C.” Amos, 54
Mickelson and Amos’ second baby, a son named Okay.C., was born on October 18, 1970. He grew up along with his father, mom, and older sister within the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles, on a property that included horses.
Like his sister Shannon, Okay.C. adopted his father into present enterprise. After showing in numerous roles on each the large and small screens, he tried his hand at directing. He credited his dad for uplifting his profession, writing in a 2014 weblog, “I feel that his recommendation in my life has helped me uncover who I’m and my ardour for steering and manufacturing work. After watching him work in entrance of the digicam on a dwell TV present or a movie shoot, I grew to become fascinated with cameras and directing.”
In 1996, Okay.C.’s work on James McMurtry’s “The place You Cover the Physique” music video earned a Grammy nomination. He continued to collaborate with prime artists, together with Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Fats Joe. The next 12 months, he obtained accolades on the Sundance Music Pageant for his movie Syphon Gun, which earned an honorable point out for brief filmmaking.
A big spotlight for Okay.C. got here in 2003 with The Watermelon Heist, a undertaking he collaborated on with Shannon. He additionally labored along with his father on a number of events earlier than his loss of life, together with co-producing and directing the 2015 movie Mercy for Angels. “Having my very own son working with me as a filmmaker is a blessing as a result of we are able to seize these moments of inspiration,” John defined to PEOPLE in 2024 whereas discussing America’s Dad, a docuseries he had been engaged on with Okay.C. for a number of years. He added, “It covers my profession, his profession, and our joint careers. It’s one thing that I feel each father and son will need to see.”
Okay.C. confirmed his father’s passing in a press release, noting that John “lived life” and that his “legacy will dwell on.” He shared, “My father beloved working as an actor all through his complete life,” mentioning John’s latest function in Fits LA and their joint documentary, America’s Dad. He added, “He was my dad, my greatest pal, and my hero. Thanks to your prayers and assist right now.”
In distinction, Shannon, who had public disputes along with her brother and father concerning an alleged elder abuse scandal, claimed she discovered about her father’s loss of life by on-line studies—45 days after it occurred. On Instagram, she expressed her heartbreak, saying, “I’m with out phrases. Our household has obtained the heartbreaking information that my dad, John Allen Amos Jr., transitioned on August twenty first. We’re devastated and left with many questions on how this occurred 45 days in the past, studying about it by the media like so lots of you.”
A Los Angeles County loss of life certificates signifies that Amos died of congestive coronary heart failure at Centinela Hospital Medical Middle in Inglewood, on August 21 at 5:18 p.m. PT. Amos’ physique was cremated 9 days afterward August 30. The certificates lists Amos’ son Kelly as the one that notified the L.A. County Division of Public Well being of his father’s loss of life.
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Maya Kensington
