Founder Of ‘Famous Amos’ Cookies Wallace ‘Wally’ Amos Dies At 88

Source: Tom Williams / Getty

UPDATED: 2:00 p.m. ET, Aug 15

According to AP, the founder of Famous Amos cookies, Wallace “Wally” Amos died this week at the age of 88 in his home in Honolulu, with his wife, Carol, at his side, his children confirmed to AP. Complications with dementia caused his death, his family said.

“With his Panama hat, kazoo, and boundless optimism, Famous Amos was a great American success story, and a source of Black pride,” said a statement from his children, Sarah, Michael, Gregory and Shawn Amos.

Wally Amos was a true inspiration to the world and was beloved for more than just his delicious cookies. He was also a huge advocate for children’s literacy.

Born in Tallahassee, Florida in 1936, Amos moved to New York City with his aunt after his parents divorced. There he found his love for cooking and enrolled in the Food Trades Vocational High School. Learning from his aunt, Wallace began developing his own recipe for chocolate chip cookies that would eventually become the foundation of his cookie empire. He then spent some time in the military before being honorable discharged.

In 1975, Amos opened his bakery on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles with a business loan of $25,000 from Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy. The company quickly expanded, hitting shelves in stores all over the country.

“I started making cookies just to make a living and to be happy doing what I was doing,” Amos said in a 1991 interview with Detroit Black Journal. “And I just, I was so committed and so involved and so joyous about it.”

Amos also became an important figure in pop culture, appearing on an episode of “The Office,” “The Jeffersons,” and “Taxi.”

Financial issues eventually caught up with Amos and his cookie company, and he was forced to sell the brand to a private equity group in 1988. He would also lose the right to use the name, which his son said he took very personally.

The remainder of his life and the remainder of his professional pursuits were attempts to get him to, you know, reclaim that space,” Shawn Amos told AP.

Throughout his career, Wally Amos achieved so much. He wrote eight books, served as spokesperson for Literacy Volunteers of America and regularly spoke at corporations and universities.

He was also awarded numerous awarded the Literacy Award in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush.

UPDATED: 11:00 a.m. ET, July 30

Erica Ash, an actress who rose to stardom after appearing in several comedic and satirical movies and TV shows, died on Sunday. She was 46. The cause of death was breast cancer.

Ash’s mother confirmed the death of her daughter in a statement shared with iOne Digital.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, and friend Erica Chantal Ash (1977-2024). After a long and courageous battle with cancer, she transitioned peacefully surrounded by her loved ones,” Diann Ash said. “Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor, and genuine zest for life. Her memory will live eternally in our hearts.”

Diann Ash made a plea for support in her daughter’s name.

“In honor of Erica’s memory, the family asks that any donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation or the Breast Cancer Foundation of your choice,” Diann Ash added. “We are grateful for the kind expressions of love and support during this difficult time.”

We are sadden to learn of the passing of actress Erica Ash from metastatic breast cancer. We send our condolences to her family and friends. https://t.co/pqqCrSMO3o

— Susan G. Komen (@SusanGKomen) July 29, 2024

Erica Ash’s publicist Elizabeth Much also confirmed the death to The Hollywood Reporter.

Some of Erica Ash’s most notable roles were portrayed in TV shows like MADtv, The Big Gay Sketch Show and Survivor’s Remorse.

MORE: Rest In Power: Notable Black People Who Died In 2023

Scroll down to keep reading below and to learn more about the other notable Black people who have died this year, in no particular order.

Deaths of notable Black people in 2024

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