Wallace “Wally” Amos, the entrepreneur and founder of Famous Amos cookies, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88, as confirmed by his family.
His children, Sarah, Michael, Gregory, and Shawn Amos, released a statement reflecting on his life, noting his iconic Panama hat, kazoo, and endless optimism. They emphasized his role as a significant figure in American history and a source of pride in the Black community.
Amos died at his Honolulu home, surrounded by his wife, Carol, and succumbed to complications from dementia.
In 1975, he launched the Famous Amos cookie brand in Los Angeles, where he created bite-sized chocolate chip cookies using a family recipe and premium ingredients. His cookies quickly gained popularity, becoming a favorite among Hollywood stars and musicians.
Despite his initial success, Amos faced challenges as a business owner and eventually lost control of the company. His daughter, Sarah, noted that he chose to leave rather than merely remain a figurehead. This loss was profoundly difficult for him, as highlighted by his son, Shawn, who noted that Amos spent the remainder of his life trying to reclaim his identity in the food industry.
Later, he opened a new cookie shop, Chip & Cookie, in Hawaii after moving there in 1977. He continued to offer similar cookies to those from his original Famous Amos store, although this shop has since closed. In 1992, he co-founded Uncle Wally’s Muffin Co., which distributed products nationally after repurposing the failed Uncle Noname cookie brand established after he lost his original company.
Despite his fame, Amos remarked that it never held much importance for him, stating, “Being famous is highly overrated anyway.”
Born in Tallahassee, Florida in 1936, Amos faced familial challenges that led him to New York City as a teenager. He honed his baking skills under the guidance of his aunt following his parents’ divorce. After dropping out of high school, he joined the Air Force and worked his way up to becoming a talent agent before launching his cookie business with a borrowed $25,000.
Amos was also dedicated to literacy advocacy, turning his shop into a space that encouraged reading among children. His daughter recalled his long-standing commitment to reading, even after she graduated from Hanahauʻoli School. He authored eight books, served as a spokesperson for Literacy Volunteers of America for 24 years, and frequently gave motivational speeches across various institutions.
To commemorate his legacy, Famous Amos has initiated a program called “Ingredients for Success,” aimed at supporting Black-owned small businesses with $150,000 in grants.
Throughout his life, Amos received numerous accolades for his volunteer work, including a Literacy Award from George H.W. Bush in 1991, which acknowledged his contributions beyond his personal success. Additionally, he was honored as a Horatio Alger award recipient in 1987 for overcoming adversity to achieve greatness, exemplifying the American Dream.
Amos experienced six marriages to five women, demonstrating his zest for love, as shared by his children. He once expressed that he started making cookies because it brought him happiness rather than financial ambition, focusing instead on passion and joy in his culinary pursuits.