Famous Amos Founder Dies At The Age Of 88
He left behind a legacy.
By Tamara Jayne — 16 Aug 2024, 10:25 AM
The world has bid farewell to Wally Amos, the beloved founder of Famous Amos cookies, who recently passed away at the age of 88
The American entrepreneur died peacefully in his home with his wife by his side, after a battle with dementia, according to a statement by his children, as reported by CBS News.
"Our dad inspired a generation of entrepreneurs. With his Panama hat, kazoo, and boundless optimism, Famous Amos was a great American success story, and a source of Black pride. It's also part of our family story for which we will forever be grateful and proud," shared his children, Sarah, Michael, Gregory and Shawn.
Famous Amos, known for bringing joy to millions with his bite-sized chocolate chip cookies, quickly became a household name
Amos and his son, Shawn Amos, at the first and original Famous Amos store at Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, in Los Angeles, California.
Image via @therevamos (Instagram)Born in Florida, Amos took a family recipe and opened his first bakery on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1975. His cookies quickly won the hearts of celebrities, singers, and musicians, catapulting the brand to national fame.
Despite his success, Amos remained humble, once telling The Associated Press in 2007, "Being famous is highly overrated anyway."
Fame may not have been his goal, but his innovative marketing and infectious personality ensured his place in American culture.
Amos was also deeply committed to giving back
A former high school dropout, he became a passionate advocate for literacy, serving as a spokesperson for Literacy Volunteers of America for 24 years.
Amos penned 10 books, including an autobiography titled The Famous Amos Story: The Face That Launched a Thousand Chips, and gave motivational talks to corporations, universities, and various groups, inspiring countless individuals along the way.
In later years, after losing the Famous Amos cookie business and the rights to use his name, Amos co-founded Uncle Wally's Muffin Co. in 1992. His new venture continued his legacy, with products found in stores across the United States.
The company, Famous Amos, paid tribute to its founder in a Facebook post: "He brought joy to millions with his cookies and is an inspiration to generations of entrepreneurs. We will continue to work to honour his legacy."
