Wallace “Wally” Amos Jr., founder of the Famous Amos Cookie Company, died at the age of 88 on Wednesday in Hawaii, according to the Tallahassee Democrat, a daily newspaper in Hawaii. Part of the USA TODAY Network.
Amos who said NPR He dedicated his life to making the perfect biscuit, and reportedly died at home after battling dementia. NPR and CBS News.
His wife was by his side when he died, CBS News reported.
“Our father inspired a generation of entrepreneurs,” his sons said in a statement, according to news outlets.
“With his Panamanian hat, his kazoo, and his boundless optimism, Famous Amos was a great American success story, a source of black pride. He is also part of our family story for which we will be forever grateful and proud.”
Amos founded the biscuit company in 1975, according to its website. His children described him as “a true black American hero.”
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Who is Amos?
Amos was born in Tallahassee’s Smokey Hollow neighborhood, a thriving black community located in what is now downtown Tallahassee. However, many residents were forced to leave due to the construction of the Appalachian Parkway in the 1950s and the Florida Department of Transportation building thereafter.
Amos moved to New York City at the age of twelve to live with his aunt. Although he did not have fond memories of his early life in Tallahassee, he never forgot where it all began.
“It was during the time of segregation,” he told a Democratic reporter after a visit in 2006. “Racism was everywhere, and it wasn’t a good time for me. Now I can say I’m proud to be from Tallahassee. It was the best trip ever.”
He has visited his hometown several times, including in 2006, 1995 and 1994, when Democratic entertainment columnist Mark Henson was there to chronicle his homecoming.
Cookie Kahuna and the Sharks
Amos, who said he was not a good businessman, sold Famous Amos and the rights to use his name.
“I’m not a businessman, and my focus wasn’t on how much money I was going to make. I just wanted to have a good time,” Amos said on Season 8, Episode 3 of Shark Tank, which aired in 2016.
In the episode, he asks the sharks for $50,000 for a 20% stake in his new cookie company, Cookie Kahuna.
Using his kazoo and donuts, he tried to impress the five sharks and convince them to invest in his company. But the five sharks rejected the offer.
In 2017, he left the company, according to a video he posted on YouTube.
Julia is a reporter for USA TODAY News. She has covered a wide range of topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown of Miami, to technology and pop culture. You can connect with her at LinkedIn Or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok: @juliamariegz
“Freelance entrepreneur. Communicator. Gamer. Explorer. Pop culture practitioner.”
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