Wally Amos
Wally Amos | |
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![]() Amos in 2007 | |
Born | Wallace Amos Jr. July 1, 1936 Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
Died | August 13, 2024 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | (aged 88)
Other names | Famous Amos |
Known for | Famous Amos, Learn to Read |
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/US_Navy_070421-N-1280S-001_Wally_Amos%2C_founder_of_Famous_Amos_Cookies_takes_children_on_a_reading_adventure_during_Springfest.jpg/220px-US_Navy_070421-N-1280S-001_Wally_Amos%2C_founder_of_Famous_Amos_Cookies_takes_children_on_a_reading_adventure_during_Springfest.jpg)
Wallace Amos Jr. (July 1, 1936 – August 13, 2024) was an American television personality, entrepreneur, and author from Tallahassee, Florida. He was the founder of the Famous Amos chocolate-chip cookie, the Cookie Kahuna, and Aunt Della's Cookies gourmet cookie brands, and he was the host of the adult reading program, Learn to Read.
Early life and education
[edit]Amos was born to Wallace and Ruby Amos. He was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, until he was 12 years old.[1] When his parents divorced, he moved to New York City with his aunt, where he enrolled at the Food Trades Vocational High School. He showed his interest in cooking at a young age. It was from his aunt Della Bryant, who would bake cookies for him, that Amos later developed his chocolate chip cookie recipe.[1] Shortly before graduation, Amos dropped out of high school to join the United States Air Force.
He served at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii from 1954 until 1957.[2] He earned his high school equivalency diploma[3] before being honorably discharged from the military.
Career
[edit]Returning to New York City, Amos went to college to become a secretary, and after graduating, took a mailroom clerk job with the William Morris Agency.[1] Eventually, he became the agency's first African American talent agent. He signed Simon & Garfunkel[4] and headed the agency's rock 'n' roll department. Amos attracted clients by sending them chocolate chip cookies along with an invitation to visit him. He represented musicians such as The Temptations, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Wally-amos-at-mark-victor-hansen-mega-marketing-seminar_%281%29.jpg/220px-Wally-amos-at-mark-victor-hansen-mega-marketing-seminar_%281%29.jpg)
In 1975, a friend suggested to Amos that he set up a store to sell his cookies, and in March of that year, the first Famous Amos cookie store opened in Los Angeles, California.[5] He started the business with the help of a $25,000 loan from Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy.[6] The company began to expand, and eventually, Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies could be found on supermarket shelves across the United States. He became such a known figure culturally that he appeared as himself in the Taxi episode "Latka's Cookies", in 1981. Thanks in part to the success of his cookie company, he was hired to deliver speeches. He wrote 10 books,[7] many of which have a self-help theme, including The Cookie Never Crumbles[8] and The Power in You.[9]
In 1979, Amos' long-time friend and publicist John Rosica introduced him to Literacy Volunteers of America. Amos advocated literacy and helped thousands of adults learn to read. In 1987, he also hosted a television series designed to teach others how to read, entitled Learn to Read, produced by Kentucky Educational Television and WXYZ-TV.[10]
In 1986, Amos was awarded the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award by President Ronald Reagan at the White House Conference on Small Business.[11][12]
Due to financial troubles, Amos was forced to sell the Famous Amos Company, and because the name "Famous Amos" was trademarked by his former company, he had to use The Uncle Noname's Cookie Company as his new company's name.[13] A Famous Amos distributor at the time, Lou Avignone, heard Amos on a local radio talk show and, inspired by Amos' story of his early business success with Famous Amos and his spirit, contacted Amos with the idea for starting a new business. In 1994, the two became partners and subsequently launched Uncle Noname Gourmet Muffins. The company focused on fat-free, nutritious muffins at that time.[14] Uncle Noname became Uncle Wally's Muffin Company in 1999. The muffins are sold in more than 3,500 stores nationwide.[15]
In 2014, an article in Fortune magazine lauded "The cookie comeback of 'Famous' Wally Amos" as Amos brought back his handmade cookies under a new name The Cookie Kahuna. These cookies were marketed in a store in Hawaii, where Amos was based. They come in the flavors original chocolate chip, chocolate chip with pecans and butterscotch with macadamia nuts.[16]
In 2019, Amos was called "the King of cookies" by NBC affiliate KSNV-TV in Las Vegas.[17]
In 2020, Content Media Group released a documentary on the life of Wally Amos, The Great Cookie Comeback: reBaking Wally Amos. The film was directed by Jeff MacIntyre.[18]
Personal life
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/The_Reverend_Shawn_Amos_performing_at_Ramblin%27_Roots.jpg/170px-The_Reverend_Shawn_Amos_performing_at_Ramblin%27_Roots.jpg)
On July 1, 1979, Amos married Christine (Harris) Amos, who later helped him design the early merchandise and packaging for Famous Amos cookies.[19] He had four children: Michael Amos, Gregory Amos, Sarah Amos,[20] and musician Shawn Amos.[21] Amos had lived in Hawaii from 1977 until 2018.[22][23][24][25] He also lived in Columbia, South Carolina, where he was working on Aunt Della's Cookies as of 2018.[24]
Amos died of complications of dementia at his home in Honolulu on August 13, 2024, at the age of 88.[26]
Publications
[edit]Authored
[edit]- Amos, Wally; Robinson, Leroy (1983). The Famous Amos Story: The Face That Launched a Thousand Chips. Doubleday. ISBN 978-0385193788.
- Amos, Wally; Amos, Gregory (1988). The Power In You. Penguin Books. ISBN 978-1556110931.
- Amos, Wally; Kehret, Peg (1991). Wally Amos Presents Chip and Cookie: The First Adventure. Leslie Beaber (illustrator). Acropolis Books Inc. ISBN 978-0874919882.
- Amos, Wally; Denton, Camilla (1994). Man with No Name: Turn Lemons Into Lemonade. Aslan Pub. ISBN 978-0944031575.
- Amos, Wally; Murray, Eden-Lee (2002). The Cookie Never Crumbles: Practical Recipes for Everyday Living. St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 978-0312304980.
- Amos, Wally (2006). Be Positive! Insights On How To Live An Inspiring And Joy Filled Life. Blue Mountain Press. ISBN 978-1598420685.
- Amos, Wally; Glauberman, Stu (2006). Live an Inspiring Life: 10 Secret Ingredients for Inner Strength. Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. ISBN 978-1598421675.
- Amos, Wally; Glauberman, Stu (2006). The Power of Self-Esteem. Blue Mountain Arts Inc. ISBN 978-1598421705.
- Amos, Wally; Glauberman, Stu (2008). Watermelon Magic: Seeds Of Wisdom, Slices Of Life. Jack Canfield (foreword). Atria Books/Beyond Words. ISBN 978-1416598534.
- Amos, Wally; Glauberman, Stu (2008). The Path to Success Is Paved with Positive Thinking: How to Live a Joy-Filled Life and Make Your Dreams Come True. Blue Mountain Arts Inc. ISBN 978-1598422573.
- Amos, Wally (2010). Watermelon Credo: The Book. Suzanne Hallerman (illustration).
Contributions
[edit]Books
[edit]- Thomas, R. David; Walton, Sam (1993). Higher Than the Top: What Do These People Have In Common? They Dynamic Faith. Dave Thomas, Orville Redenbacher, Wally Amos, Gayle Miller, Bill Bowerman. Dimensions for Living. ISBN 978-0687170029.
- Hansen, Mark Victor; Amos, Wally; Tracy, Brian (2002). Mission Possible!: Volume One. Insight Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1885640840.
- Cathy, S. Truett; Tracy, Brian; Amos, Wally (2003). Conversations on Success. Insight Publishing. ISBN 978-1885640123.
- Dunston, Marc (2010). The Magic of Giving (children's book). Katie Cantrell (illustrator), Wally Amos (foreword). Pelican. ISBN 978-1589808058.
Audio books
[edit]- Amos, Wally (1998). Let Go, Let God (Audio book). Unity School of Christianity. ISBN 978-0871598424.
- Amos, Wally (2001). Faith: Inspirational Messages (Audio book). ISBN 978-0871598677.
Filmography
[edit]Year | Name | Type | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1980 | The Jeffersons | television sitcom | Man #1 | Season 7, episode 3[27] |
1980 | Taxi | television sitcom | as himself | In 1980, Amos appeared in the February 5 episode of Taxi, entitled "Latka's Cookies", as himself. |
1987 | Learn to Read | educational TV series | host | |
2001 | Biography | television documentary | as himself | The episode is named "Famous Wally Amos: The Cookie King".[28] |
2012 | The Office | television sitcom | as himself | In 2012, Amos appeared in the February 16 episode of The Office, entitled "Tallahassee", as himself. |
2016 | Shark Tank | television reality show | as himself | Amos appeared in the October 6, 2016 episode of the American television show Shark Tank seeking $50,000 funding for 20% equity of his company "Cookie Kahuna". The Sharks all passed on the opportunity.[29][30] |
2018 | The Great Cookie Comeback: Re-Baking Wally Amos | documentary film | as himself | The Great Cookie Comeback: Re-Baking Wally Amos (Released: February, 2020), a documentary film on the life of Wally Amos, released by Content Media Group.[31][32][33] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Pemoni, Lucy (2007-07-13). "No longer Famous, Wally Amos still baking". msnbc.com. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
Born in Tallahassee, Fla., Amos moved to New York City at age 12 because of his parents' divorce. He lived with an aunt, Della Bryant, who taught him how to make chocolate chip cookies.
- ^ Thompson, David (2014-08-05). "The Cookie Comeback King: Wally "Famous" Amos". Honolulu Magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- ^ Canedy, Dana (1999-07-03). "A Famous Cookie And a Face to Match; How Wally Amos Got His Hand And His Name Back in the Game". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- ^ "A Cooky Transforms an Agent into a Star". The New York Times. 16 August 1975.
- ^ "Wally Amos | Bio | Premiere Motivational Speakers Bureau". premierespeakers.com. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ Canedy, Dana (1999-07-03). "A Famous Cookie And a Face to Match; How Wally Amos Got His Hand And His Name Back in the Game". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ "Wally Amos biography". Amazon. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ Amos, Wally; Murray, Eden-Lee (2002). The Cookie Never Crumbles: Practical Recipes for Everyday Living: Wally Amos, Eden-Lee Murray. Macmillan. ISBN 978-0312304980.
- ^ Amos, Wally; Amos, Gregory (1988). The Power in You: Wally Amos. D.I. Fine. ISBN 978-1556110931.
- ^ "Learn to Read". TV.com. CBS Interactive.
- ^ Canedy, Dana (1999-07-03). "A Famous Cookie And a Face to Match; How Wally Amos Got His Hand And His Name Back in the Game". New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ^ Reagan Library (2018-10-16). President Reagan's Remarks to the White House Conference on Small Business on August 15, 1986. Retrieved 2024-08-09 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Famous Amos: The Rise and Fall of a Cookie Empire". History.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
- ^ "No longer Famous, Wally Amos still baking". msnbc.com. 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ Canedy, Dana (1999-07-03). "A Famous Cookie And a Face to Match; How Wally Amos Got His Hand And His Name Back in the Game". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ Kell, John. "A cookie connoisseur's comeback". Fortune. Retrieved 2017-08-25.
- ^ 'Famous Amos' himself, Wally Amos, talks about his new cookie. KSNV (News). March 12, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ^ Famous Wally Amos Film-The Great Cookie Comeback. Jeff MacIntyre (News). January 31, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- ^ Kranz, Rachel (2004). African-American Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs. Infobase Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 978-1438107790 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Wally Amos Biography". Biography. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
- ^ "Son of 'Famous Amos' Cookie Maker Mixing His Own Batch of Blues and Soul". Memphis Daily News. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- ^ "Famous Amos gives cookie business another try". Daily Herald. 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
- ^ "No longer famous, Wally Amos still bakes sweet treats". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- ^ a b "Are you Famous Amos?" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ Rhymes, Shameika (2018-11-26). "Famous Amos Creator Lives Near Charlotte as He Plans Next Venture". Charlotte Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ Risen, Clay. "Wally Amos, Creator of Famous Amos Cookies, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ The Jeffersons: Season 7 – Rotten Tomatoes, retrieved 2018-12-22
- ^ "Biography | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- ^ "Shark Tank: The Cookie Kahuna, from Famous Amos Creator, Crumbles in the Tank, Fails to Get A Deal". Business 2 Community. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "Shark Tank – Cookie Legend Wally Amos Pitches New Cookie Kahuna Brand Boom". Chew Boom. 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ The Great Cookie Comeback: Re-Baking Wally Amos. Content Media Group. 2020.
- ^ Kell, John (June 26, 2014). "A cookie connoisseur's comeback". Fortune.
- ^ The Great Cookie Comeback: Re-Baking Wally Amos. Content Media Group. February 2020.
External links
[edit]- 1936 births
- 2024 deaths
- 20th-century African-American businesspeople
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- 21st-century African-American businesspeople
- 21st-century American businesspeople
- African-American non-fiction writers
- American food company founders
- American male non-fiction writers
- American self-help writers
- Businesspeople from Honolulu
- Deaths from dementia in Hawaii
- United States Air Force airmen