Famous Amos, Entrepreneur and Cookie Creator, Dies in Hawaii

Aug. 15, 2024

Wally Amos Jr. died Wednesday at age 88. His is an interesting life story.

Wally "Famous" Amos Jr., the founder of Famous Amos cookies, died Wednesday in Hawaii, according to various media reports. He was 88 and died at home after battling dementia, his wife by his side, reports NPR and CBS News.

Wikipedia has an interesting biography on him. It says he began as a mailroom clerk job with the William Morris Agency in New York City and evenutally became the agency's first African American talent agent. He signed Simon & Garfunkel and headed the agency's rock 'n' roll department, representing acts that included The Temptations, Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye.

Amos attracted clients by sending them chocolate chip cookies. In 1975, set up the first Famous Amos cookie store in Los Angeles, starting the business with the help of a $25,000 loan from Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy. In 1988 he sold the business to a private equity firm, and eventually it ended up with Keebler and then Kellogg. Ferrero North America currently owns the brand.

"With his Panama hat, kazoo and boundless optimism, Famous Amos was a great American success story, and a source of Black pride,” his children said in a statement, according to several news outlets. "Our dad inspired a generation of entrepreneurs."

About the Author

Dave Fusaro | Editor in Chief

Dave Fusaro has served as editor in chief of Food Processing magazine since 2003. Dave has 30 years experience in food & beverage industry journalism and has won several national ASBPE writing awards for his Food Processing stories. Dave has been interviewed on CNN, quoted in national newspapers and he authored a 200-page market research report on the milk industry. Formerly an award-winning newspaper reporter who specialized in business writing, he holds a BA in journalism from Marquette University. Prior to joining Food Processing, Dave was Editor-In-Chief of Dairy Foods and was Managing Editor of Prepared Foods.