Wally ‘Famous Amos’ Dies: Cookie Maker Was 88

Wally Amos, the entrepreneur behind the Famous Amos cookie enterprise, has died at the age of 88.

Shawn and Sarah Amos, two of his children, said Amos died at his home in Honolulu. They attributed his death as due to complications from dementia, reports the New York Times. Amos also has two other children, Gregory and Michael, and is survived by his wife, Carol Williams.

Famous Amos’ owner, the Ferrero Group, confirmed his death. In an Instagram post, the company wrote the following message: “Ferrero and the Famous Amos team are saddened by the loss of Wally Amos and our thoughts are with his family. He brought joy to millions with his cookies and is an inspiration to generations of entrepreneurs. We will continue to work to honor his legacy..”

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In a statement to CBS News, Amos’ children said, “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.”

Biography.com reported that Amos wasn’t only an entrepreneur. He worked a number of jobs before making it big in the snack food business.

He was the first Black talent agent for the William Morris Agency in 1962. While working for William Morris, Amos discovered musicians Simon & Garfunkel and headed the agency’s rock ’n’ roll department.

Amos began his career in the culinary arts after studying at Food Trades Vocational High School. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force and returned to New York in 1957, where he began his career with William Morris in the mailroom.

In 1975, inspired by his past training and the memory of his aunt’s delicious cookies, Amos founded a cookie company named Famous Amos. He opened his first cookie store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1975. Buoyed by his success, Amos opened two more stores on the West Coast and eventually within Bloomingdale’s flagship New York City location.

Our fans have spoken and we’ve heard you! The Original Recipe cookie that you love is back! Check them out in the cookie aisle of your favorite grocery store. #FamousAmos pic.twitter.com/bCWPgoAkZz

— Famous Amos (@famousamosus) May 21, 2024

Biography.com reports that Amos also served as the spokesperson for Literacy Volunteers of America for more than two decades and received a Literacy Award from President George H.W. Bush in 1991.

Amos once said in an interview with NPR that the secret ingredient in his world-famous baked goods was love. “I think it’s important to love what you do because that love is transferred to what you do, and it turns it into something absolutely fantastic.”