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."
