In the summer of July, the family drama surrounding beloved TV icon John Amos, known for his role in “Good Times,” took a dramatic turn when his 53-year-old son, K.C. Amos, was jailed in New Jersey. This arrest stemmed from alleged “terroristic” threats sent via text message to his 57-year-old sister, Shannon Amos. Shannon reported these threats, which included a disturbing photo of a rifle with a caption boasting its long-range accuracy, to the police, fearing for her life.
This incident was just the latest episode in a year marked by public clashes between the Amos siblings. Their conflict centers around the care of their 83-year-old father, John Amos, with both sides leveling accusations of elder abuse. However, a deeper look into the situation, as revealed by The Hollywood Reporter through conversations with John, Shannon, and K.C., paints a more nuanced picture. The reality is both more complex and surprisingly less sensational than the headlines suggest.
The roots of this painful family saga stretch back decades, offering a stark look into the personal life of a man who became a cultural icon, particularly for African American audiences, through his portrayal of James Evans Sr., the strong patriarch of the Evans family in “Good Times.” The accusations and counter-accusations within the Amos family read like a dark family drama, filled with themes of infirmity, obsession, revenge, deceit, and even perceived madness.
Both K.C., a music video director and editor, and Shannon, a former entertainment executive now focused on medicinal healing, firmly believe in their own innocence while casting the other as the villain. John Amos, caught in the middle, has expressed his love for both children in the past, even as he toggled his trust between them. He deeply regrets that his family matters have become public gossip. “Whatever we’re going through is our business, not the business of the public,” he stated. Yet, the siblings’ determination to prevail in their conflict has led them to disregard their father’s desire for privacy, utilizing social media and confidential documents to THR to bolster their respective cases, even at the risk of embarrassing their father.
Both K.C. and Shannon understand the power of narrative, a lesson instilled in them by their father. John Amos, recognizing the potential pitfalls of Hollywood, encouraged them to pursue behind-the-scenes roles where they could control the creative process and shape the stories being told.
In this family battle, each sibling presents their own narrative. Shannon describes the situation as, “Seventies sitcom star in trouble when his bipolar, drug-addicted son exploits him on TikTok and his ayahuasca shaman daughter comes to the rescue.” K.C., drawing a parallel to his father’s iconic role as Kunta Kinte in Roots, likened his jail experience to “true false imprisonment. I became Kunta Kinte.”
Amos is caught in a dispute between his daughter, Shannon, pictured with him in 2004 (above), and son, K.C., with his father in 2015 (below). J.Sciulli/WireImage
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
Since earlier in the year, John Amos has been traveling extensively with K.C. Their travels, documented by K.C. on TikTok, often resemble a lighthearted buddy comedy. However, Shannon and others close to John view this spectacle with concern, particularly as it has involved stays in medical facilities across multiple states.
In October, father and son arrived in Los Angeles for business meetings. They met with THR for lunch in Marina del Rey. K.C., dressed in a vibrant shirt and sunglasses, shifted between solemnity and the casual demeanor seen in his TikTok videos, where he has gained a large following by featuring his father. John, using a wheelchair, remained composed and sharp, answering questions in his distinctive baritone, although he did briefly fall asleep during the conversation. When asked about his health, he stated, “I’m feeling pretty darn good for 83 years of age.” Later, a scheduled photoshoot was canceled when John was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai for fluid retention issues, according to K.C., while Shannon believes it was heart-related and indicative of neglect.
Both John and K.C. emphasized their enjoyment of their time together, bonding over their shared love for the Grateful Dead and the documentary K.C. is directing about his father, titled America’s Dad. They also spoke of plans to purchase a property in Jamaica as a home base. John, who recently reprised his role in Coming 2 America, expressed no intention of retiring from acting.
They dismissed concerns about their TikTok content being perceived as undignified or cheapening John’s image. They viewed them as lighthearted and enjoyed the perks of being influencers, mentioning gifts like a $1,700 walker and offers for luxury items.
They explained their move from Colorado was due to the altitude affecting John’s breathing and their belief that he had been financially exploited there.
Regarding Shannon, K.C. described her as a childhood bully but refrained from further criticism. John attributed their conflict to “sibling rivalry,” stating, “I love my daughter; she’s very bright. In the final analysis, I think she means well, even if she might be going about this in the wrong way.” He acknowledged family disagreements are common, but “most times it’s less than what’s been going on here.”
John Amos (center) with K.C. and Shannon at the Hollywood premiere of Coming to America in June 1988. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images
However, K.C. later shared with THR a disturbing video of John speaking about Shannon while on a toilet, recorded secretly, and audio from a call with lawyers where John harshly criticized his daughter, accusing her of financial and emotional elder abuse and of spreading lies about K.C. John stated his desire to stop her actions.
Shannon vehemently denies these accusations, claiming her brother is brainwashing their father. John’s goddaughter, Amy Goudy, reported that John claimed no memory of speaking against Shannon so harshly.
John Amos’s First Wife: Noel Mickelson and Family Origins
Shannon and K.C. are John Amos’s only children, born from his first marriage to Noel “Noni” Mickelson. Noni, who became John Amos’s wife in 1965, was a white woman of Jewish heritage from Iowa, with a background in fine arts. Their marriage occurred two years before the landmark Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court decision that invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
After graduating college, John and Noni moved to New Jersey and worked as social workers. Noni, an artist, supported John’s acting aspirations when his initial dream of playing professional football didn’t materialize. He found his start in stand-up comedy and then in the entertainment industry. John credited Noni’s artistic nature for understanding his reluctance to a traditional career path. As John’s career took off with TV commercials and then roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Good Times, Noni moved with their young daughter Shannon to Los Angeles.
The Amos family initially lived in Sylmar, on a property with horses, reflecting Noni’s equestrian talents. This period was initially idyllic, filled with gatherings with other entertainers. However, this changed over time.
Shannon recalls her father’s behavior becoming erratic when not working, marked by rages and self-medication with cannabis and prescription drugs for old football injuries and emotional distress. K.C., being younger, has fewer memories of this period.
John Amos in 2015 Craig Barritt/Getty Images
Shannon remembers the impact of their parents’ separation when she was nine, witnessing Noni’s declining health and emotional state. K.C. became withdrawn, while John moved in with his second wife, actress Lillian Lehman. Shannon describes her father as both playful and supportive at times, but also capable of being threatening and even violent. She recounts an incident of receiving a black eye after confronting him about violating a restraining order. John denies disrespecting women.
Racism was a significant factor in John and Noni’s marriage. Shannon noted Noni’s naivete regarding racial issues. John, however, constantly faced racism in Hollywood, being told he was “too Black” or “too ugly,” even after achieving fame. This deeply upset him, in stark contrast to the treatment of his white peers.
John discouraged his children from acting, guiding them toward behind-the-scenes roles in Hollywood. K.C. found early success as a music video director, receiving a Grammy nomination and Sundance Film Festival recognition. Shannon worked in entertainment production and marketing. They collaborated on a film in 2003, The Watermelon Heist, but their relationship soured over financial disagreements.
Shannon Amos’s Perspective and Healing Journey
Shannon now lives in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where she conducts psilocybin and ayahuasca ceremonies, helping others heal. She attributes her current path to her family’s history of addiction, mental health issues, and generational trauma, requiring significant personal work to overcome the chaos.
Despite her anger towards K.C., Shannon maintains a composed demeanor, citing meditation, yoga, microdosing, and her supportive family as coping mechanisms.
Shannon claims to have provided extensive evidence to law enforcement in Colorado and New Jersey regarding K.C.’s alleged elder abuse. She asserts that K.C. has gained control over their father and his affairs, isolating him from his support network and mismanaging his finances, all of which K.C. denies.
K.C. Amos and Shannon Amos at the 1997 Grammys, a high point in their relationship. Courtesy of Shannon Amos
Shannon presented documents, including a 2016 hospital record suggesting possible dementia in John, to support her concerns about his diminished capacity. She advocates for a conservatorship for her father. John, through a publicist, denied any issues with his mental faculties.
Shannon’s career change to healing was inspired by her experience with her mother, Noni. In 1996, Noni became disabled after a medical procedure, requiring constant care. After Noni’s second husband, her caregiver, passed away, conflict arose between Shannon and K.C. over Noni’s care.
After a dispute, K.C. became Noni’s primary caregiver. Shannon alleges that K.C. neglected Noni’s care and misused her funds, claims K.C. refutes. Shannon’s attempts to involve authorities were unsuccessful due to lack of documented proof. She shared a recording of John confronting K.C. about misusing Noni’s funds.
Following Noni’s death in 2016, Shannon left Hollywood and traveled, leading to her career shift. Shortly after Noni’s death, K.C. experienced a mental health crisis and was hospitalized.
Shannon initially reconciled with K.C. but they fell out again, reportedly over drug-related issues, which K.C. denies. Shannon believes K.C. struggles with addiction and mental health, enabled by their father. K.C. dismisses these claims and questions Shannon’s own health issues.
Shannon became further alarmed when John was hospitalized again while traveling with K.C. She observed K.C. seemingly exploiting his father’s fame on TikTok and noted John’s irregular medical care.
In June, Shannon publicly accused K.C. of elder abuse and launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for John’s care and legal expenses. However, after John publicly refuted her efforts in a video circulated by K.C., Shannon removed the campaign and felt defamed.
From left: Amos’ key television roles included weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the enslaved Kunta Kinte on Roots and father John Evans Sr. on Good Times. CBS/Getty Images; Courtesy Everett Collection
K.C. Amos’s Defense and Documentary
A week after THR interviewed John, K.C. screened his documentary America’s Dad. The film covers John’s life and career but avoids his personal life, omitting details about his wives and children.
K.C. expresses confusion over Shannon’s accusations, defending his care for his mother and father, and denying financial misconduct. He believes Shannon is trying to “un-alive” him through constant police interventions, claiming she has called the police on him numerous times.
K.C. downplays the New Jersey incident, claiming the threatening texts were misinterpreted and intended to protect his father from financial fraud. He alleges Shannon manipulated the texts and coerced John into making negative statements about her. K.C. views Shannon’s actions as a character assassination campaign to portray him as unfit, dismissing her concerns about his mental health and substance use. He attributes his hospitalization to Shannon influencing his ex-girlfriend. K.C. believes Shannon is delusional.
Family Drama as a Hollywood Story
Both Shannon and K.C. acknowledge the dramatic nature of their family saga. John Amos, while hesitant to discuss his personal life, suggests that his personal challenges have enriched his acting ability.
This story first appeared in the Nov. 8 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
