Wally Amos, the visionary behind the globally renowned Famous Amos cookies, has passed away at the age of 88. According to reports, Amos died at his home in Hawaii on Tuesday due to complications from dementia.
Amos, whose full name was Wallace “Wally” Amos, began his career in the entertainment industry as a talent agent. Alongside his professional duties, he indulged in baking as a hobby, a passion that eventually evolved into a successful business venture. In 1975, Amos launched the Famous Amos cookie shop on the storied Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, thanks to a $25,000 loan from Hollywood acquaintances, including the legendary singer Marvin Gaye.
His cookie recipe, which became famous worldwide, was a cherished family secret handed down from his aunt in Harlem, New York. After moving from Tallahassee, Florida, to live with her at the age of 12, Amos learned the art of cookie-making, an interest that was further fueled by his aunt’s encouragement. Despite starting out in vocational school in Manhattan, Amos dropped out and joined the Air Force, which eventually led him to Hawaii.
After serving in the Air Force, Amos relocated to New York City, where he began working in the mailroom of the William Morris talent agency. His diligence and talent propelled him through the ranks, making him the first Black junior agent at the agency in 1961. During his tenure, Amos built relationships with prominent musicians and was instrumental in signing acts such as Simon and Garfunkel.
His move to Los Angeles saw him establish his own agency while continuing to bake cookies as a stress-relief activity. Amos began bringing his cookies to client meetings and shoots, a gesture that quickly garnered attention. As he recounted to The New York Times in 1975, “I began to bake as a hobby; it was a kind of therapy… pretty soon everybody was asking for them.”
The popularity of his cookies led to the opening of the Famous Amos shop, which saw impressive success. Within its first year, the store generated $300,000 in revenue, and by 1981, the company had grown to a $12 million enterprise, with numerous locations across the U.S. and widespread distribution.
Amos became well-known for his signature Panama hat and warm smile. His public persona was further amplified through appearances on television shows such as “The Office,” “Taxi,” and “The Jeffersons.”
By 1988, however, Amos sold his stake in Famous Amos due to financial difficulties. Following this, he shifted focus to motivational speaking and writing, advocating for Black entrepreneurship and childhood literacy. He also continued to bake, launching several new brands and even opening a small bakery in Honolulu.
Wally Amos is survived by his fourth wife, Carol Williams, and his four children: Shawn, Sarah, Michael, and Gregory. His legacy endures through his contributions to the culinary world and his impact as an entrepreneur and advocate.