Wallace “Wally” Amos, Jr., founder of the “Famous Amos” cookies, has died at 88

Wallace “Wally” Amos, Jr., the founder of the beloved “Famous Amos” cookies known nationwide, has died, his family said. He was 88.

Famous Amos cookies entrepreneur dies

The entrepreneur died peacefully at his home with his wife Carol by his side after a battle with dementia, Amos’ children, Sarah, Michael, Gregory and Shawn, said in a statement.

A family recipe to a family business

A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Amos started his brand opening up his first bakery in Hollywood, California, in 1975 with his family recipe.

“Our dad inspired a generation of entrepreneurs,” his children said.

“With his Panama hat, kazoo, and boundless optimism, Famous Amos was a great American success story, and a source of Black pride. It’s also part of our family story for which we will forever be grateful and proud.”

“Big was in, but Wally Amos dared to go small and perfected the ultimate bite-size chocolate chip cookie,” the brand’s website says. After that, Amos and his cookies became a success story. “Iconic musicians and other Hollywood celebrities began singing the praises of the delicious cookies from a small bakery on Sunset,” the website says.

Wally’s son Shawn, a blues musician and author, helped create the first shop in Hollywood with his father, an experience he documents in his 2022 book, “Cookies and Milk”.

Shawn said he worked the front of the store while his father baked cookies in the back.

Amos’ children praised their father for teaching them the value of hard work, believing in themselves, and chasing their dreams. “He was a true original Black American hero,” they said in their statement.