Wally Amos
Founder and Inventor
"Famous Amos" Cookies
Tuesday, February 27th, 2001
A Town & Gown presentation to strengthen further the strong partnership
between the College of Business and the Big Bend area business community.
 Wally
Amos, father of the gourmet cookie industry, is the "face that launched a thousand
chips." Amos, a one-time talent agent, used to leave his bite-sized cookies as
calling cards. In 1975, at the urging of friends and clients, he launched the
Famous Amos Cookie Company in Hollywood. By 1985, Famous Amos cookies were a
$10 million-dollar-a-year business.
Before his foray into the cookie business, Amos served in the Air Force (where
he earned his GED) and worked at Sak's in New York City. He joined the William
Morris Talent Agency and became the firm's first black agent. While at William
Morris, Amos represented the Supremes and Marvin Gaye, and he is credited for
signing then-unknown duo Simon & Garfunkel.
In addition to his business, Amos devotes his time and passion to literacy
causes, serving as national spokesman for the Literacy Volunteers of America.
He is also a board member for the National Center for Family Literacy and Communities
in Schools.
Amos's latest business venture is Long Island-based Uncle Wally's cookie company,
which specializes in fat- and sugar-free muffins.
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