Wally “Famous” Amos didn’t just bake cookies — he baked joy. Long before his name appeared on store shelves, Wally was a groundbreaking Hollywood talent agent in the 1960s, the first Black agent at the William Morris Agency. He discovered and represented stars like Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and Simon & Garfunkel, all while carrying a childhood memory close to his heart: Aunt Della’s homemade chocolate chip cookies.
In 1975, he took the leap of a lifetime. With a little startup help from friends Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy, Wally opened the first Famous Amos Cookie Shop on Sunset Boulevard. The aroma alone pulled people off the street. Before long, Hollywood was buzzing about the gourmet cookies with the big flavor — and the bigger personality behind them. His straw hat, warm smile, and enthusiasm made him a brand all by himself.
But Wally’s life wasn’t just business. His personal journey was filled with love, family, and a lot of heart. Across his life, he married five different women in six marriages, always believing in fresh starts and the power of connection. His final wife, Carol Williams, was a meaningful constant — they divorced and remarried, ultimately reuniting for good. She stayed by his side through his final years.
Wally was also a devoted father to four children: Shawn, Michael, Gregory, and Sarah. His best-known son, Shawn Amos, became a respected blues
musician. Even when business challenges hit — especially after Wally lost the rights to use the “Famous Amos” name — his children said he never stopped teaching them about optimism, kindness, and leading with love.
In his later years, Wally found peace in Hawaiʻi, where he continued making baked goods, supported literacy programs, and lived a quieter, more grounded life under the island sun.
On August 13, 2024, Wally Amos passed away at age 88 in his Honolulu home, surrounded by family. Dementia-related complications contributed to his passing, closing the chapter on a life full of flavor, creativity, resilience, and warmth.
Today, Famous Amos cookies sit on store shelves everywhere — but the real legacy is Wally himself. A dreamer, a doer, and proof that sometimes the sweetest success comes from following your heart… and your favorite recipe.