Wally Amos Explained

Wally Amos
Birth Name:Wallace Amos Jr.
Birth Date:July 1, 1936
Birth Place:Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
Death Place:Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Resting Place:National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Other Names:Famous Amos
Known For:Famous Amos, Learn to Read
Signature:Wallyamos.png

Wallace Amos Jr. (July 1, 1936 – August 13, 2024) was an American television personality, businessman, and author. He was the founder of the Famous Amos chocolate chip cookie, the Cookie Kahuna, and Aunt Della's Cookies gourmet cookie brands, and was the host of the adult reading program Learn to Read.

Early life and education

Amos was born July 1, 1936, 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. 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.[4]

Career

Returning to New York City, Amos took classes to become a secretary and took a mailroom clerk job with the William Morris Agency. Eventually, he became the agency's first African American talent agent. He signed Simon & Garfunkel[5] 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. The musicians he represented included The Temptations and Marvin Gaye.

In 1975, a friend suggested to Amos that he set up a store to sell his cookies. In March of that year, the first Famous Amos cookie store opened in Los Angeles, California.[6] He started the business with the help of a $25,000 loan from Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy.[3] 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 several books, many of which have a self-help theme, including The Cookie Never Crumbles[7] and The Power in You.[8]

In 1979, Amos's 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.[9]

In 1986, Amos was awarded the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award by President Ronald Reagan at the White House Conference on Small Business.[3] [10]

Due to financial troubles, Amos was forced to sell the Famous Amos Company in 1988.[11] Because the name "Famous Amos" was trademarked by his former company, he had to use Uncle Noname's Cookie Company as his new company's name.[12] A Famous Amos distributor at the time, Lou Avignone, heard Amos on a local radio talk show and 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.[13] Uncle Noname became Uncle Wally's Muffin Company in 1999. The muffins were sold in more than 3,500 stores nationwide.[3]

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.[14] Amos appeared on the reality television show Shark Tank in October 2016, pitching Cookie Kahuna, but failed to get a deal.[15] The business folded in 2018.[16]

In 2019, Amos was called "the king of cookies" by NBC affiliate KSNV 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

Amos was married four times, most recently to Carol Williams. He had four children: Michael Amos, Gregory Amos, Sarah Amos,[19] and musician Shawn Amos.[20] Amos lived in Hawaii from 1977 until 2018,[21] [22] [23] [24] and was again living in the state at the time of his death.[25] He also lived in Columbia, South Carolina, where he was working on Aunt Della's Cookies until 2018.

Amos died due to complications from dementia at his home in Honolulu on August 13, 2024, at the age of 88.[26]

Publications

Author

Contributor

Print Books

Audiobooks

Filmography

YearNameTypeRoleNotes
1980The JeffersonsTelevision sitcomMan #1Season 7, episode 3
1981TaxiTelevision sitcomHimselfEpisode: "Latka's Cookies"
1987Learn to ReadEducational TV seriesHost[27]
2001BiographyTelevision documentaryHimselfEpisode: "Famous Wally Amos: The Cookie King".[28]
2012The OfficeTelevision sitcomHimselfEpisode: "Tallahassee"
2016Shark TankTelevision reality showHimselfAmos appeared in the October 6, 2016 episode, seeking $50,000 funding for 20% equity of his company "Cookie Kahuna". The Sharks all passed on the opportunity.[29] [30]
2018The Great Cookie Comeback: Re-Baking Wally AmosDocumentary filmHimselfReleased in February 2020, a documentary film on the life of Wally Amos, released by Content Media Group.[31] [32] [33]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: No longer Famous, Wally Amos still baking. Pemoni. Lucy. July 13, 2007. msnbc.com. en. December 22, 2018. 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.. October 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181003010330/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/19731831/ns/business-us_business/t/no-longer-famous-wally-amos-still-baking. live.
  2. Web site: Thompson . David . August 5, 2014 . The Cookie Comeback King: Wally "Famous" Amos . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222173204/http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/August-2014/The-Cookie-Comeback-King-Wally-Amos/ . December 22, 2018 . December 22, 2018 . Honolulu Magazine . en.
  3. News: A Famous Cookie And a Face to Match; How Wally Amos Got His Hand And His Name Back in the Game. Canedy. Dana. July 3, 1999. The New York Times. December 22, 2018. en-US. 0362-4331. April 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190413204623/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/03/business/famous-cookie-face-match-wally-amos-got-his-hand-his-name-back-game.html. live.
  4. Web site: Molloy . Erin . 2011 . Guide to the Famous Amos Collection . Smithsonian Natural Museum of American History Kenneth E. Behring Center.
  5. News: Lindsey . Robert S. . August 16, 1975 . A Cooky Transforms an Agent into a Star . The New York Times.
  6. Web site: Wally Amos Bio . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416232008/http://premierespeakers.com/wally_amos/bio . April 16, 2023 . Premiere Motivational Speakers Bureau.
  7. Book: Amos . Wally . The Cookie Never Crumbles: Practical Recipes for Everyday Living . Murray . Eden-Lee . 2002 . . 978-0312304980.
  8. Book: Amos . Wally . The Power in You . Amos . Gregory . D.I. Fine . 1988 . 978-1556110931.
  9. Web site: Learn to Read . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100708213340/http://www.tv.com/learn-to-read/show/25402/summary.html? . July 8, 2010 . TV.com . CBS Interactive.
  10. President Reagan's Remarks to the White House Conference on Small Business on August 15, 1986 . October 16, 2018 . Reagan Library . August 9, 2024 . YouTube . January 31, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131180757/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATTYYxGJPDE . live .
  11. Web site: Zee . Michaela . August 14, 2024 . Wally Amos, Famous Amos Cookies Founder, Dies at 88 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815052103/https://variety.com/2024/biz/news/wally-amos-dead-famous-amos-cookies-founder-1236107408/ . August 15, 2024 . August 15, 2024 . Variety.com . en.
  12. Web site: Rotondi . Jessica Pearce . March 29, 2022 . Famous Amos: The Rise and Fall of a Cookie Empire . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230411151831/https://www.history.com/news/wally-amos-cookies-rise-fall . April 11, 2023 . April 11, 2023 . History.com . en.
  13. News: No longer Famous, Wally Amos still baking. July 13, 2007. msnbc.com. January 9, 2018. en. October 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181003010330/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/19731831/ns/business-us_business/t/no-longer-famous-wally-amos-still-baking. live.
  14. Web site: A cookie connoisseur's comeback. Kell. John. Fortune. August 25, 2017. August 25, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170825233752/http://fortune.com/2014/06/26/wally-amos-cookie-comeback/. live.
  15. Web site: Shark Tank: Season 8, Episode 3. Vo. Alex. Rotten Tomatoes. December 8, 2017. December 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171208203250/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/shark_tank/s08/e03. live.
  16. Web site: Dand . Khyati . The Cookie Kahuna: Here's What Happened After Shark Tank . Food Republic . August 15, 2024 . November 2, 2023.
  17. 'Famous Amos' himself, Wally Amos, talks about his new cookie . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/Dpf3VLMmxyE . December 22, 2021 . live. March 12, 2019 . News . . August 16, 2019.
  18. Famous Wally Amos Film-The Great Cookie Comeback . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/Z7diqVz1XeE . December 22, 2021 . live. January 31, 2020 . News . . December 18, 2021.
  19. Web site: Wally Amos Biography. Biography . May 24, 2021 . September 14, 2021.
  20. Web site: Wade . Don . August 18, 2016 . Son of 'Famous Amos' Cookie Maker Mixing His Own Batch of Blues and Soul . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222173255/https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2016/aug/18/son-of-famous-amos-cookie-maker-mixing-his-own-batch-of-blues-and-soul//print . December 22, 2018 . December 22, 2018 . Memphis Daily News.
  21. Web site: Famous Amos gives cookie business another try. June 17, 2014. Daily Herald. en-US. July 24, 2019.
  22. Web site: Song . Jaymes . July 12, 2007 . No longer famous, Wally Amos still bakes sweet treats . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815110211/https://www.post-gazette.com/business/businessnews/2007/07/12/No-longer-famous-Wally-Amos-still-bakes-sweet-treats/stories/200707120320 . August 15, 2024 . December 22, 2018 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . en.
  23. Web site: McAlley . John . September 2013 . Are you Famous Amos? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230213102759/http://johnmcalley.com/assets/pdfs/feature-writing/FamousAmos.Spirit.Web.pdf . February 13, 2023 . August 9, 2024 . Spirit.
  24. Web site: Rhymes . Shameika . November 26, 2018 . Famous Amos Creator Lives Near Charlotte as He Plans Next Venture . August 9, 2024 . Charlotte Magazine . en-US . August 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240809084616/https://www.charlottemagazine.com/famous-amos-creator-lives-near-charlotte-as-he-plans-next-venture/ . live .
  25. News: Wally Amos, creator of Famous Amos cookies, has died. Alana. Wise. NPR. August 14, 2024. August 15, 2024. August 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240815012938/https://www.npr.org/2024/08/14/g-s1-17050/wally-amos-famous-amos-cookies-dead. live.
  26. News: Risen . Clay . Wally Amos, Creator of Famous Amos Cookies, Dies at 88 . The New York Times . August 14, 2024 . August 18, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240818032617/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/14/business/wally-amos-dead.html . live .
  27. Web site: Tapp . Tom . Wally "Famous" Amos Dies: Talent Agent-Turned-Cookie-Mogul Was 88 . Deadline . August 18, 2024 . August 15, 2024 . He eventually hosted an educational public-access program called Learn to Read that promoted literacy..
  28. Web site: Famous Wally Amos: The Cookie King . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222125447/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/biography/episode-2987438/191411 . December 22, 2018 . August 23, 2024 . TVGuide.com . en.
  29. News: Draper . Alan . Shark Tank: The Cookie Kahuna, from Famous Amos Creator, Crumbles in the Tank, Fails to Get A Deal . August 23, 2024 . Business 2 Community.
  30. News: Miller . Bob . October 5, 2016 . Shark Tank – Cookie Legend Wally Amos Pitches New Cookie Kahuna Brand Boom . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181707/http://www.chewboom.com/2016/10/05/shark-tank-cookie-legend-wally-amos-pitches-new-cookie-kahuna-brand/ . January 9, 2018 . January 9, 2018 . Chew Boom . en.
  31. The Great Cookie Comeback: Rebaking Wally Amos . MacIntyre . Jeff . Video . Content Media Group . Tubi.
  32. News: Kell, John. June 26, 2014. A cookie connoisseur's comeback. Fortune. August 25, 2017. August 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240815110115/https://fortune.com/2014/06/26/wally-amos-cookie-comeback/. live.
  33. Book: The Great Cookie Comeback: Re-Baking Wally Amos. February 2020. Content Media Group. January 15, 2018. January 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180115185955/http://greatcookiecomeback.com/. live.

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