Wallace “Wally” Amos Jr., the founder of Famous Amos cookies, has passed away at the age of 88, according to a family announcement on Wednesday. He died peacefully at home after struggling with dementia.
A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Amos launched the first Famous Amos cookie shop in Hollywood, California, on Sunset Boulevard in 1975. The brand quickly gained fame for its distinctive beige packaging adorned with blue lettering.
Amos was well-known for his signature Panama hat and kazoo, embodying a spirit of optimism. In a statement, his family described him as a quintessential American success story and a source of pride for the Black community. They expressed gratitude for the values he instilled in them, emphasizing hard work, self-belief, and the pursuit of dreams.
The family also requested donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in his honor and encouraged people to enjoy a chocolate chip cookie in his memory.
In 1987, Amos received the Horatio Alger Award, which honors individuals who exemplify the principles of integrity, hard work, perseverance, and compassion. Prior to establishing Famous Amos, Amos was a music agent and also authored several books, including “The Famous Amos Story: The Face That Launched a Thousand Chips,” “The Cookie Never Crumbles: Practical Recipes for Everyday Living,” and “The Man with No Name: Turn Lemons into Lemonade.”