Pop Tart inventor William "Bill" Post was on the verge of stardom after Netflix announced it planned to make a movie about his life's work.

Unfortunately, Post won't get to read any of the movie's reviews as he died less than two months before its scheduled release. 

Post praised for helping to create "iconic Pop-Tarts brand"

According to People magazine, Post passed away this past weekend in his home state of Michigan at the age of 96. His cause of death was not revealed.

William 'Bill' Post, Credited with Inventing the Pop-Tart, Dead at 96 https://t.co/ASaw6b2gry

— People (@people) February 14, 2024

Kellanova is the company which now manufactures Pop Tarts, and it provided a statement to People that read, "We are deeply saddened to share the news that William 'Bill' Post passed away over the weekend."

"He played an important role in co-creating the iconic Pop-Tarts brand and we are grateful to Bill for his legacy and lasting contributions to our company," it added.

From truck washer to senior executive

People explained that Post was the son of Dutch Immigrants who grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan during the Great Depression.

His first foray into the food industry began at age 16 when he took a job as a truck washer for the Hekman Biscuit Company, the forerunner of cookie giant Keebler.

Following his service in WWII with the Army Air Corps, Post studied at Calvin College and resumed working for the Hekman Biscuit Company.

However, he would not make his biggest impact on the American pastry scene for another two decades when he was asked by executives at Kellogg about collaborating with Keebler on a new product which became known as the Pop-Tart.

Post is survived by 17 grandchildren and great grandchildren

Although the pastry was originally labeled as "Fruit Scones," the name was later changed to reference the then-new genre known as Pop Art.

"It is at this juncture that Bill is often credited for having invented the Pop Tart," Post's obituary stated. "Bill would say, 'I assembled an amazing team that developed Kellogg’s concept of a shelf-stable toaster pastry into a fine product that we could bring to market in the span of just four months.'"

Post rose to become a senior vice president at Keebler before retiring at 56. He was subsequently hired on by Kellog to work as a consultant, a role he held for another two decades.

Post is survived by his two children, Dan Post and Rachel DeYoung, along with his seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.