What do you know about Famous Amos?
Inspired by his Aunt Della’s homemade chocolate chip and pecan cookies, Wally Amos started his own cookie company. In 1975, Amos opened the first Famous Amos cookie store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Unfortunately due to mismanagement, in 1988, Shansby Group Corporation purchased Famous Amos Cookies and changed the product from a gourmet item to a lower-priced product.
However, 10 years later, The Keebler Company bought the Famous Amos brand and Amos returned to his role as the brand’s spokesperson.
Today, Amos has expanded his brand name, creating more specialty companies for the sweet tooth community. The father of the gourmet cookie business now travels around the country as a motivational speaker and advocates to end illiteracy in America.
Fun Fact: Even before he was famous for being Amos, he was making history. In 1962, Amos became the first black talent agent in the largest and oldest global talent agency, William Morris Endeavor. As the head of the agency’s rock & roll department, he worked with up and coming musicians like Simon and Garfunkel, The Supremes and Marvin Gaye.
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