Wally Amos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wally Amos
Amos in 2007
Born	Wallace Amos Jr. (1936-07-01)July 1, 1936 Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
Died	August 13, 2024(2024-08-13) (aged 88) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Other names	Famous Amos
Known for	Famous Amos, Learn to Read
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Wally Amos reading to kids at Pearl Harbor in 2007

Wallace Amos Jr. (born July 1, 1936 – died August 13, 2024) was an American businessman, TV personality, and author. He was born in Tallahassee, Florida. Wally Amos was best known for creating the delicious Famous Amos chocolate-chip cookies. He also started other cookie brands like Cookie Kahuna and Aunt Della's Cookies. Besides his cookie empire, he hosted a TV show called Learn to Read, which helped adults learn to read.

Wally Amos's Early Life and School

Wally Amos was born to Wallace and Ruby Amos. He grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, until he was 12 years old. When his parents separated, he moved to New York City. There, he lived with his aunt, Della Bryant.

Learning to Bake Cookies

Wally went to the Food Trades Vocational High School in New York. He loved cooking from a young age. His aunt Della often baked cookies for him. It was from her special recipe that Wally later created his famous chocolate chip cookies.

Joining the Air Force

Before finishing high school, Wally decided to join the United States Air Force. He served from 1954 to 1957 at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii. During his time in the military, he earned his high school diploma. After his service, he was honorably discharged.

Wally Amos's Amazing Career

After leaving the Air Force, Wally Amos returned to New York City. He went to college to learn how to be a secretary. After graduating, he got a job in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency. This agency helped famous people find work.

Becoming a Talent Agent

Wally Amos worked hard and became the first African American talent agent at the agency. He helped many famous musicians. He even signed the popular music group Simon & Garfunkel. He also led the agency's rock 'n' roll music department.

Cookies for Clients

Wally had a clever way to attract new clients. He would send them his homemade chocolate chip cookies. Along with the cookies, he would send an invitation to meet him. He represented big names like The Temptations, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye.

Starting Famous Amos Cookies

In 1975, a friend suggested that Wally should sell his amazing cookies. So, in March of that year, the very first Famous Amos cookie store opened in Los Angeles, California. He got a $25,000 loan from his friends, including musician Marvin Gaye, to start his business.

Wally Amos at a marketing seminar in 2006

Growing the Cookie Business

The Famous Amos company quickly grew bigger. Soon, you could find Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies in supermarkets all over the United States. Wally Amos became a well-known person. He even appeared as himself on the TV show Taxi in 1981.

Becoming an Author and Speaker

Because of his success, Wally Amos was often asked to give speeches. He has written 10 books, many of which offer helpful advice. Some of his books include The Cookie Never Crumbles and The Power in You.

Helping Others Learn to Read

In 1979, Wally's friend John Rosica introduced him to Literacy Volunteers of America. Wally became a strong supporter of literacy, which means helping people learn to read and write. He helped thousands of adults improve their reading skills. In 1987, he hosted a TV show called Learn to Read, which taught people how to read.

Special Recognition

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan honored Wally Amos with the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. This award was given at the White House.

New Cookie Adventures

Later, Wally Amos faced some money problems and had to sell the Famous Amos Company. Because the name "Famous Amos" was owned by his old company, he couldn't use it anymore. So, he started a new company called The Uncle Noname's Cookie Company.

Uncle Wally's Muffins

A distributor named Lou Avignone heard Wally's story and was inspired. In 1994, they became partners and launched Uncle Noname Gourmet Muffins. These muffins were healthy and fat-free. In 1999, the company changed its name to Uncle Wally's Muffin Company. Today, these muffins are sold in thousands of stores across the country.

The Cookie Kahuna

In 2014, Wally Amos made a comeback with his handmade cookies under a new name: The Cookie Kahuna. These cookies were sold in a store in Hawaii, where Wally lived. They came in classic flavors like chocolate chip and new ones like butterscotch with macadamia nuts.

The King of Cookies

In 2019, a TV station in Las Vegas called Wally Amos "the King of cookies." In 2020, a documentary film about his life was released. It was called The Great Cookie Comeback: reBaking Wally Amos.

Wally Amos's Family Life

Wally Amos was married four times and had four children. His children are Michael, Gregory, Sarah, and the musician Shawn Amos. For many years, from 1977 to 2018, Wally lived in Hawaii. Later, he also lived in Columbia, South Carolina, where he worked on his Aunt Della's Cookies brand.

Wally Amos passed away on August 13, 2024, at the age of 88. He died in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Wally Amos on TV

Wally Amos appeared in several TV shows and documentaries: