(Los Angeles, CA) — The founder of Famous Amos Cookies has died. Wally Amos was 88. Amos successfully launched a cookie empire after opening his bakery on Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard in 1975 when bite-sized cookies were still a novelty.
The chocolate chip cookies were developed from a family recipe and helped make him a pop culture icon. He appeared as himself on “The Jeffersons” and “Taxi” and later had a cameo in the sitcom “The Office.” Amos sold the cookie brand in 1988 to a private equity group. The cookies are still being made.
In a statement released by his children, they said he died Tuesday in Hawaii from complications of dementia.