Janee Michelle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Janee Michelle
Michelle in 2015.
Born	Geneva Leona Mercadel 1946 (age 78–79) New Orleans, Louisiana
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actress former model business owner
Years active	1964–present
Spouse(s)	Albert Hubbard ​ ​ (m. 1966; div. 1968)​ Robert DoQui ​ ​ (m. 1969; div. 1978)​ Robert H. Tucker, Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1979; div. 1998)​
Children	Robert Diago DoQui (born 1971) Iam Christian Tucker (born 1983)
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Janee Michelle (born Geneva Leona Mercadel; 1946), also known as Gee Tucker, is an American actress, former model, dancer, and businessperson. She is best known for her role in the 1974 horror film The House on Skull Mountain.

Her career has included many appearances in films, TV shows, advertisements, and plays. Michelle made her first film appearance in the 1964 short film The Legend of Jimmy Blue Eyes. She chose the stage name Janee Michelle because her talent agent and the film studio thought her birth name might not be popular.

In 1968, Michelle's acting in the TV series The Outcasts received great reviews. This led to many offers for film roles. She acted alongside her husband, Robert DoQui, in a 1969 TV episode and a 1970 film. In 1977, she was chosen as the queen for the New Orleans Mardi Gras Zulu parade. She was the first Zulu queen to wear two different gowns, both designed by Bob Mackie.

After her acting career, Michelle became a successful business owner. In 1980, she and her husband started a company called Tucker and Associates. This company later received a very large contract, showing how successful they became.

Growing Up in New Orleans

Janee Michelle was born Geneva Leona Mercadel in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her family had a long history in the city. Her great-grandfather came from France and settled in New Orleans.

Her family was large and lived in the 7th Ward of New Orleans. Michelle is even related to Sidney Barthelemy, who was once the Mayor of New Orleans. Her father was a barber, and her mother was a beautician. She grew up with an older brother and two younger sisters.

When she was 13, Michelle created and directed a dance show at the YWCA. She was named Miss New Orleans in 1960. Her principal at Rivers Frederick Junior High School encouraged her to work in entertainment.

Michelle later moved to Los Angeles, California, with her family. She graduated from Manual Arts High School. She then studied at Los Angeles City College and Woodbury College. She also took drama classes to improve her acting skills.

Her Entertainment Career

Janee Michelle appeared in an episode of Love, American Style alongside Greg Morris (pictured). He was known for his role in Mission: Impossible.

Janee Michelle's career has included acting, modeling, and dancing. She has appeared in films, TV shows, and plays. She even danced in Las Vegas while still in high school. She learned both ballet and Cuban dance styles.

In 1964, Michelle got her first film role in The Legend of Jimmy Blue Eyes. This short film was even nominated for an Academy Award. Her agent suggested she change her name from Geneva Mercadel to Janee Michelle. She picked Janee because it sounded like her birth name. She chose Michelle because she liked having two first names.

In 1967, The Chicago Defender newspaper predicted Michelle would have a successful career. She also appeared on the cover of Jet magazine. This was for her role in The Love-Ins, which was her biggest film role at the time. Critics praised her acting in the TV series The Outcasts. This led to many more film offers.

Michelle was featured in Ebony magazine's list of "Fifty Eligible Girls for 1969". Jet magazine called her "one of Hollywood's most attractive actresses". She was seen as one of the rising African-American actresses.

Michelle is best known for acting in the 1974 horror film The House on Skull Mountain alongside Victor French (pictured).

Michelle starred with her husband Robert DoQui in the TV show The Governor & J.J. in 1969. They also acted together in the 1970 film Soul Soldier.

In 1973, Michelle helped start Kwanza, a non-profit group in Hollywood. It was named after the African diaspora celebration Kwanzaa. This group was run by African American actresses who volunteered their time. Kwanza first provided food to families in need during Christmas. By 1976, the group had helped over 2000 people all year round.

Michelle is most famous for her role in the 1974 horror film The House on Skull Mountain. She played Lorena Christophe, who visits a house owned by a voodoo queen. She was praised for her "charming performance" in the film. In 2014, she appeared in a TV advertisement for AARP, promoting health insurance.

Queen of New Orleans Mardi Gras

For her time as Zulu queen in the New Orleans Mardi Gras Zulu parade, Michelle borrowed a feather boa and headdress from Cher (pictured).

In 1977, Michelle's cousin, Anthony "Chuck" Mercadel, was chosen to be the king of the Zulu parade. This parade is a big part of New Orleans Mardi Gras. Chuck asked Michelle to be his queen. At first, she said no because she didn't want to be a second choice. But when the first choice couldn't make it, Michelle accepted.

Michelle was the first Zulu queen to wear two different gowns. One was for the parade, and the other was for the ball. Both gowns were designed by Bob Mackie, who also designed clothes for the singer Cher. Michelle even borrowed a special feather boa and headdress from Cher for the parade! Her parade gown was gold and cinnamon with topaz gems. Her ball gown was white and fitted, decorated with crystals. She chose a pearl headpiece instead of a traditional crown.

A Business Leader

After her acting career, Michelle moved back to New Orleans and became a businessperson. In 1980, she and her husband, Robert H. Tucker, Jr., started a company called Tucker and Associates. It was a management consulting company. This means they helped other businesses with things like personnel, data processing, and marketing.

At first, the company didn't make much money. Michelle worked hard to learn about business. She later said, "I learned the hard way, on the job, things I could never have learned in school."

In 2003, Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, ended contracts with several companies, including both of the companies Michelle co-founded.

By 1990, Tucker and Associates had 225 employees and made about $11 million. That year, they received a huge contract worth $26 million with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This was the largest contract ever given to a company owned by a minority group in Louisiana. While working on this, Michelle and Tucker started a second company called Integrated Logistical Support.

Michelle kept Tucker and Associates and became its president and chief executive officer. She also served as a director for Hibernia National Bank. as of 2002^[update], she was the chief operating officer of Tucker and Associates.

After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Michelle bought a gelato shop called Sophie's Gelato. She makes fresh gelato there herself.

Awards and Recognition

Janee Michelle has received several awards for her achievements.

• In 1991, she was named a YWCA Role Model.
• The National Council of Negro Women recognized her as one of five community leaders in 1995.
• She has been named New Orleans Woman Business Owner of the Year.
• She also received the Best of Black Business Award.
• The Business and Professional Women's Foundation named her Employer of the Year.
• The American Council for Career Women gave her their Achiever's Award.

Personal Life

Janee Michelle has been married three times. In 1966, she married Albert S. Hubbard. They divorced in 1968.

In 1969, she married Robert DoQui. He had four children from a previous marriage, and Michelle became close with them. Michelle gave birth to their son, Robert Diago DoQui, in 1971. He later became an actor and writer. Michelle and DoQui divorced in 1978.

In 1979, she married Robert H. Tucker, Jr., whom she met through her cousin. Their daughter, Iam Christian Tucker, was born in 1983. Michelle and Tucker divorced after nineteen years of marriage.

Film and TV Roles

Film

Television