Wally Amos, the founder of the iconic Famous Amos cookie brand, has passed away at the age of 88. Amos was a trailblazer in the food industry but eventually lost control of the company and the rights to the name.
Amos launched the brand in 1975 after securing a $25,000 loan from friends in California to pursue his vision of creating top-quality cookies. His creation became one of the most well-known names in the cookie industry.
Decoda Literacy Solutions mentioned that Amos used to bake cookies as a hobby, following his aunt’s recipe, while working at the William Morris Talent Agency. His coworkers consistently praised his cookies, which ultimately inspired him to start his own cookie company.
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The New York Times reported that Amos’ children, Shawn and Sarah Amos, disclosed that his passing was a result of battling dementia. He peacefully passed away at his home in Honolulu on Tuesday with his wife Carol by his side.
In a statement, his family highlighted his trademark “Panama hat, kazoo, and boundless optimism,” referring to Wally’s career as “a remarkable American success story and a source of Black pride.”
Amos also co-established the nationwide brand Uncle Wally’s Muffin Co., headquartered in Shirley, N.Y., following the loss of his Famous Amos business and name rights, as reported by the Associated Press.
After attaining success in California, Amos continued his endeavors in Hawaii.
Amos was an advocate for literacy and established a reading room at his Hawaii cookie shop, where he held events to promote reading among children. In 1991, Wally received the National Literacy Honors Award from President George H.W. Bush.
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His children expressed, “Our dad instilled in us the importance of hard work, self-belief, and pursuing our aspirations.”
“We’re sure he would be thrilled if you enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie today,” added his family.
