Wallace “Wally” Amos Jr., the founder of Famous Amos cookies, has died, his family said Wednesday. He was 88.
He died “peacefully” at home after a battle with dementiahis family said.
Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Amos opened the first Famous Amos cake shop in Hollywood, California on the famous Sunset Blvd. 1975. The Amos cookie brand exploded in popularity over the years, becoming known for its signature beige packaging and blue lettering.
Wally Amos in his home office in the Lanikai section of Kailua, Hawaii. Amos, who in the 1980s lost ownership of his “Famous Amos” cookie company, now sells his cookies at the Boardwalk Treats candy store under the name “The Cookie Kahuna”, June 12, 2007.
Lucy Pemoni/AP
“With his panama hat, kazoo and boundless optimism, famous Amos was a great American success story and a source of black pride,” a statement from the Amos family said.
The statement continued: “It is also a part of our family story that we will forever be grateful and proud of. Our father taught us the value of hard work, believing in ourselves and chasing our dreams. He was a true black American hero.”
The statement also asked for contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association.
“We also know he would love it if you had a chocolate bar today,” the statement concluded.
Amos was recognized as the 1987 Horatio Alger Award recipient, an award that recognizes Americans who are “contemporary role models whose experiences exemplify that opportunities for a successful life are available to all individuals who are dedicated to the principles of integrity, hard work, perseverance and compassion for others .”
Amos’ member page on the award’s website describes a career as a music agent before Famous Amos. The founder also wrote several books including “The Famous Amos Story: The Face That Launched a Thousand Chips,” “The Cookie Never Crumbles: Practical Recipes for Everyday Living” and “The Man with No Name: Turn Lemons into Lemonade.”