In the grand story of life, some people leave behind legacies so delicious that they’re remembered for their cookies—and Wally Amos was one such man. Born in 1936 in Tallahassee, Florida, Wally Amos had a journey that combined Hollywood stardom, mouth-watering chocolate chip cookies, and a profound love for literacy. He was a man with a passion for baking and an even deeper passion for reading. You could say he was just a guy from Florida who had a fetish for chocolate chips and books—and what a beautiful combo that was.
From
Mailroom to Music Legends
Before
Wally Amos became the “Famous Amos” we all know, he wasn’t just dipping into
cookie dough; he was knee-deep in managing music legends. Yep, we’re talking
about a man who, while working at the William Morris Agency, signed Simon
& Garfunkel and worked with legends like The Supremes, Diana
Ross, and Marvin Gaye. Wally was the first black talent agent at
William Morris, breaking barriers and shaking things up in the entertainment
industry. But even in his high-flying Hollywood career, he found peace and
comfort in something far more humble—baking chocolate chip cookies.
Cookies
became Wally’s therapy. What started as a way to relax turned into a business
idea that would make him famous in a whole new way. In 1975, he opened the
first Famous Amos cookie store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, and
suddenly, the world had a reason to smile a little wider. His cookies were so
fresh, they seemed to leap off the shelves and into the hearts of cookie lovers
everywhere—from local supermarkets to upscale department stores like
Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus.
The
Sweet Success (and the Crumbles)
Wally’s
cookie empire took off fast—maybe a little too fast. By the mid-1980s,
the rapid growth became too much to handle, and Wally eventually sold his
business. Though he lost control of the brand, he stayed on as the
spokesperson, and the world could still feel his passion for those delightful,
chocolate-filled bites of joy. His enthusiasm for promoting the cookies was as
vibrant as his famous Panama hats and the kazoos he often carried.
But if
there’s one thing Wally Amos knew, it was how to bounce back. Even after losing
his company, he tried launching other cookie brands like Chip & Cookie
and The Cookie Kahuna. And in true “never-give-up” fashion, even when
his cookie ventures didn’t pan out (like his appearance on Shark Tank in
2016), he kept going. He kept baking. He kept dreaming. And his final cookie
company, Aunt Della’s, was his sweet tribute to his beloved aunt who
inspired his love for baking in the first place.
The
Sound of Literacy
For Wally
Amos, it wasn’t just about cookies. Sure, he loved the semisweet chocolate
chips and vanilla extract, but what he really loved? Books. Literacy. The smell
of a good story. He was as passionate about reading as he was about baking. And
for him, promoting literacy was a key ingredient to a better life for children
everywhere.
Wally’s
devotion to reading led him to become a powerful literacy advocate. In 1991,
President George H.W. Bush awarded him the National Literacy Award—a
testament to how much Wally believed in the power of words. From his cookie
shop in Hawaii, where he’d relocated in the late ‘70s, Wally would read to
children, spreading his love for books one page at a time. His message was
simple: reading is fundamental, and it should start as early as possible. He
once even quipped that parents should start reading to their children before
birth, while they’re still in the womb.
Amos
founded the Read It Loud! Foundation in 2005, which encouraged parents
to read aloud to their children. He worked tirelessly with organizations like Read
to Me International and the YMCA, promoting literacy wherever he
could. Whether he was donning his watermelon hat and reading aloud at his
cookie shop or traveling the country as a motivational speaker, Wally’s true
mission was to get books into the hands of as many kids as possible.
The
Legacy of a Cookie Lover
Wally
Amos’ story is about so much more than chocolate chip cookies, though his
cookies were legendary. It’s a story about perseverance, reinvention,
and using your platform for good. He may have started in the mailroom of the
William Morris Agency, risen to become a talent agent for some of the biggest
stars in music, and become a cookie magnate, but his sweetest success was
promoting literacy. He wanted the world to know that the best recipe for a good
life included two ingredients: cookies and books.
So, here’s
to Wally Amos who passed away last month, the man who taught us that you can go
from signing Simon & Garfunkel to selling chocolate chip cookies, to
encouraging kids to love reading. He was, in his own words, a guy who believed
that “you must first ask for what you want before you can have it,” and he
wanted a world filled with cookies and literate minds. What a world that is.
In the
end, Famous Amos wasn’t just famous for his cookies—he was famous for his
heart. And that’s one recipe the world will never forget.
Now go out and read a book and eat a chocolate chip cookie.
Be good to one another!
