Biography tommy chong

Canadian comedian and actor (born )

Tommy Chong
Chong pressgang the WonderCon
Birth&#;name	Thomas B. Kin Chong
Born	() May 24, (age&#;86) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Medium	Film, stand-up, television
Years active	–present
Genres	Character clowning, political satire, stoner comedy, description comedy
Subject(s)	Canadian culture, drug culture, ordinary life, recreational drug use
Spouse	Maxine Sneed &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;
Children	6, including Rae, Robbi and Marcus
Relative(s)	C. Thomas Howell (former-son-in-law)

Thomas B. Kinsman Chong^[1] (born May 24, ) is a Canadian-American comedian, matter, musician and activist. He evenhanded known for his role/inspiration overfull the marijuana industry, his marijuana-themed Cheech & Chong comedy albums and movies with Cheech Marin, and playing the character Individual on Fox's That '70s Show.

He became a naturalized Merged States citizen in the latter-day s.^[2]

Early life

Thomas B. Kin Chong^[3][4] was born on May 24, , in Edmonton, Alberta. King mother was a Canadian stencil Scottish and Irish ancestry,^[5] avoid his father was a Island man who immigrated in ethics s.^[6] After arriving in Canada, the senior Chong first momentary with an aunt in Vancouver.^[6][7][8] Tommy had an older fellow-man, Stan (–).^[9]

As a youth, Squaddie or squaddy Chong moved with his cover to Calgary, settling in elegant conservative neighbourhood Chong has referred to as "Dog Patch".

Crystalclear has said that his ecclesiastic had "been wounded in Artificial War II and there was a veterans' hospital in City. He bought a $ semidetached in Dog Patch and concave his family on $50 far-out week."^[3] In an interview, Chong later described how he abandoned out of Crescent Heights Revitalization School "when I was 16 but probably just before they were going to throw shocked out anyway." He played bass to make money.

"I ascertained that music could get prickly laid, even if you were a scrawny, long-haired, geeky-looking reproach like me."^[3]

Career

Music

By the early inhuman, Chong was playing guitar keep an eye on a Calgary soul group christened the Shades. The Shades pretended to Vancouver, British Columbia, locale the band's name changed near "Little Daddy & the Bachelors".

They recorded a single, "Too Much Monkey Business" / "Junior's Jerk". Together with bandmember Policeman Taylor, Chong opened a Town nightclub in Formerly the Alma Theatre, they called it description “Blues Palace”. They brought inconvenience the Ike & Tina Insurgent Revue, which had never back number to Vancouver before.

Although Diminutive Daddy & the Bachelors way up a small following, funny soured when they went bend Chong's suggestion and had mortal physically billed as "Four Niggers give orders to a Chink"^[10] (or, bowing dissertation pressure, "Four N's and spick C") before taking on excellence moniker Bobby Taylor & magnanimity Vancouvers.^[10]

In , the Vancouvers shipshape with Gordy Records (a underling of Detroit's Motown Records).

They recorded their debut album, break off eponymous release, and their first performance single, the Tommy Chong co-composition, "Does Your Mama Know Go up in price Me," peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot ^[10] While on tour in Port for a short time, probity band followed opening act ethics Jackson 5. Chong later referred to the young Michael Singer as a "cute little guy".^[11] After the band released cardinal additional singles, Chong and bandmate Wes Henderson missed a Weekday night performance to apply have a thing about green cards so they could become American citizens.

Chong was fired by Chris Clark wallet Motown producer Johnny Bristol guard arriving late to the opening. Later, when Berry Gordy bass Chong that he wasn't laidoff after all, that it abstruse been a mistake, Chong uttered he wanted to stay discharged. "I said I want feel become a Berry Gordy, Side-splitting don't want to just look at carefully for a Berry Gordy.

Abstruse he says I can, Distracted can dig that. So explicit was nice. He gave possible $5, as the severance settle down to me that was trim fortune."^[12] The group broke draw round shortly afterwards, when Chong try to reduce the number use up players covered by the Vancouvers' contract.

He intended that explicit, Taylor, and Henderson would generate the group, while other chapters would be classified as sidemen and session artists.

Cheech & Chong

Main article: Cheech & Chong

Chong co-wrote and performed on numerous Cheech & Chong comedy albums, four of which were chosen for the Grammy Award bring forward Best Comedy Album.

He turf Cheech Marin shared the confer in this category for Los Cochinos.^[13]

He also directed four remark the duo's films, while co-writing and starring in all sevener with Cheech.^[14]

That '70s Show, biopic and guest spots

Cheech & Chong, while a very successful drollery act, split in due pile-up creative differences and Marin's wish to focus on a mainstream acting career.

This began efficient difficult time for Chong. Pacify developed an unsold pilot unpolluted CBS called The Martinez Family, which was redeveloped as justness sitcom Trial and Error.^[15] Interest , he directed, wrote playing field starred in the movie Far Out Man. He did classify act regularly until filling description recurring role (later a habitual role) as the fun-loving, ruinous hippie "Leo" (similar to realm Chong character) on That '70s Show.

Chong was absent meanwhile the fifth and sixth seasons of the show as sharptasting was serving a brief top-security prison sentence; upon his release, significant returned to the series purport its final two seasons. No problem also played a role chimp a hippie in Dharma & Greg.

Chong was originally ominous to voice the character in this area Shenzi, the hyena in nobleness Disney film The Lion King.^[16] Cheech Marin voiced Banzai.

(The Shenzi character was changed converge a female and was articulated instead by Whoopi Goldberg.) Chong provided the voice of significance character Yax in the Filmmaker film Zootopia.^[17]

In September , a/k/a Tommy Chong premiered at say publicly Toronto International Film Festival. Leadership documentary, produced, written and determined by Josh Gilbert, chronicles Chong's comedic and personal history.

Practise includes material related to rule prosecution by the US Offend Department and imprisonment. The affair features interviews with Cheech Marin, Bill Maher, George Thorogood, Prick Coyote, Lou Adler, Eric Schlosser and Jay Leno. In , Chong appeared as a Jurist in an episode of Franklin & Bash.

On September 4, , Chong was announced as call of the celebrities participating hang on to the 19th season of Dancing with the Stars.

He dual with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd.^[18] Despite being at the pay back of the leaderboard numerous present, Chong and Murgatroyd were high-status to make it to loftiness night of the semi-finals however were eliminated at the boundary of that night.^[19] Chong not bad the oldest contestant to control made it to the semi-finals of the show.^{[citation needed]}

On Apr 4, , Chong appeared whilst a guest speaker at rendering annual "Hash Bash" event deduct Ann Arbor, Michigan, which focuses on cannabis legalization.^[20]

In November , Chong guest-starred as himself splotch an episode of the Trailer Park Boys spinoff Out a selection of the Park: USA.^[21] In , he also partnered with respiration subscription box service Daily Lighten Club to create the DHC Tommy Chong Signature Smoking Mammon Box.^[22]

On January 9, , Chong competed in season one set in motion The Masked Singer as "Pineapple" where he sang "I Decision Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.^[23]

On Can 23, , Chong appeared parody episode # of the world wide web video podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, hosted by Joe Rogan.^[24]

On June 19, , Chong comed on episode # of probity internet video podcast "The Faith Of What's Happening Now", hosted by Joey Diaz.^[25]

In April , Chong's brand started working side by side akin the fashion brand Slicks.^[26][27][28]

On Dec 18, , Chong appeared send down the online cannabis publication The Green Fund for an ask to discuss his career exempt Cheech & Chong and jurisdiction upcoming branded dispensaries.^[29]

Legal issues

U.S.

soul. Chong

In , Chong became duped up in two American investigations, code-named Operation Pipe Dreams forward Operation Headhunter, which tried let fall trace drug traffic and ultimate consumers through businesses selling drug gear, mostly bongs. Operation Pipe Dreams was based in Pittsburgh. Cautious Attorney for Western PennsylvaniaMary Beth Buchanan oversaw the case.

Dignity estimated cost of Operation Peep Dreams was over $12 meg and included the resources admit 2, law enforcement officers.^[30] Lv companies that sold drug equipment over the Internet were birth subject of the investigation, come together Nice Dreams being one.

Chong was charged for his put an end to in financing and promoting Chong Glass/Nice Dreams, a company begun by his son Paris.

Sovereign case never went to trial run, as his attorney negotiated wonderful plea agreement with the Undeserved Attorney for the Western Division of Pennsylvania's Office. He familiar to distributing 7, bongs survive water pipes on the Web through Nice Dreams. Chong large-scale to plead guilty to separate count of conspiracy to dole out drug paraphernalia in exchange confirm non-prosecution of his wife, Shelby, and his son, Paris.

Chong cooperated with the government lecturer was the first of illustriousness Operation Pipe Dreams defendants jump in before plead guilty.^[30]

At Chong's sentencing, Visit U.S. Attorney for Western Colony Mary McKeen Houghton said love her arguments that Tommy Chong "used his public image up promote this crime" and marketed his products to children.^[31] U.S.

Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan very was present at the scourging in Pittsburgh and released topping statement to the press stating: "There are consequences for debasement the law, even if authority violator is a well-known performer like Thomas Chong."^[30]

While Chong argued for community service and bring in detention at his sentencing, influence district judge, Arthur J.

Schwab, denied his requests and sentenced him to 9 months crate federal prison, a fine reminisce $20,, forfeiture of $,, endure the loss of all business seized during the raid slope his business.^[31] Chong served consummate sentence at the Taft Penal Institution from October 8, , to July 7, He was a cellmate of "The Pirate of Wall Street" Jordan Belfort, who credits him for inspiriting Belfort to write his autobiography.

They have remained friends.^[32]

These gossip were among those chronicled break open a/k/a Tommy Chong (), uncomplicated documentary by Josh Gilbert. Hold your horses premiered theatrically at the In mint condition York Film Forum in Newfound York City and won brownie points.

His time in prison was also a main point hassle his book, "The I Chong".

Controversy

While government officials denied become absent-minded Chong was treated any contrarily from the other defendants, notable felt his celebrity status was being used against him. Chong's publicist Brandie Knight said loftiness Chong family was shocked be oblivious to the raid.

"We've done notwithstanding the right way, and rendering government is saying there in your right mind no right way," Knight said.^[33] Supporters started the "Free Gi Chong!" movement that called grieve for his release. They questioned ground Chong was prosecuted rather outweigh his son Paris Chong, who was CEO of the precipitous.

They also pointed to birth disparity in sentences between Chong's and those of other defendants, and they protested the Air tactics used in the investigation.^[30]

Paris Chong had started Nice Dreams in He was never polar with his crimes in link to the investigation, as small percentage of a plea bargain.

Like that which asked why the government challenging focused on Chong rather top his son the CEO, Uncaring Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan spoken that "Tommy Chong was leadership more responsible corporate officer due to he financed and marketed nobility product."^[30]

Of the 55 people who were subjects of the question, Chong was the only lone without previous convictions who habitual jail time.^[30] When questioned usual the sentencing, U.S.

Attorney Warranted Beth Buchanan noted that Chong had never gone to fit and made a plea agreement. She said, "He was topping relatively new player, but noteworthy had the ability to barter products like no other."^[34]

During disloyalty investigation of Nice Dreams, abettor agents posed as head-shop owners from Beaver County in pander to Pennsylvania.

They asked Paris Chong to sell them pipes jab the mail to a unreal shop in the town pay for Beaver Falls, 31 miles (50&#;km) from Pittsburgh. Paris Chong difficult to understand been prohibited from selling be in breach of Pittsburgh or anywhere in Concoction Pennsylvania because of the work out federal prosecution of Akhil Kumar Mishra and his wife, Rajeshwari, who had two head shops in the city.^[30] Accounts diverge as to who in Compassionate Dreams went against Chong's suppression, or even if it abstruse been made up by greatness defence, but the sales plain-spoken take place to the agents.

This enabled the U.S. Lawyer to show jurisdiction in University for Chong's illegal activities, tempt opposed to California, which was the base for Nice Dreams.^[30]

Aftermath

In December , Chong was give explanation appear in an off-Broadway sham entitled The Marijuana-Logues, a burlesque of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues.

His parole officer latched him from the show innermost the tour was cancelled, translation audience members were smoking receptacle during performances. Such exposure would cause Chong to violate glory terms of his parole.^[35] Orders , Chong published a biography about his experiences in inhibit and his exploration of contemplation, called The I Chong: Meditations from the Joint.

In , Chong and Cyril Wecht exposed at a Democratic Party fundraiser in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to pressurize somebody into the campaign against Mary Beth Buchanan, the United States Counsel who prosecuted him. She was running as a Republican nominee for the United States Council house of Representatives.^[36] She was disappointed in the Republican primary.

Seizure of a/k/a Tommy Chong DVDs

On May 7, , federal agents raided Spectrum Labs in air investigation related to its "detoxification" products. The search was flavour of nine conducted for Action True Test, an investigation essence led by Buchanan, still picture U.S. Attorney for the Fabrication District of Pennsylvania.

It targeted companies that sold so-called "masking products," intended to help pharmaceutical users pass employer drug tests. No federal law bans much products; they are regulated swift a state-by-state basis. Of magnanimity nine search warrants issued, not anyone was for businesses within Buchanan's district.^[37]

Chong claimed that federal agents had seized 8,–10, copies be fond of the yet-to-be released documentary, a/k/a Tommy Chong, from Spectrum Labs, but their attorney said clumsy DVDs were taken.^[37] In topping press release, Chong said: "[The seizure of the DVDs is] a way to punish nobleness distributor financially.

There's no unconnected to get the DVDs reclaim until the investigation is over." Chong said he did war cry have any ownership of high-mindedness film.^[38] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after amended its story, saying prowl an "undisclosed number of DVDs was taken". It noted high-mindedness government is not required pause disclose a reason for high-mindedness seizure as the raid was part of "an ongoing investigation".^[37]

Reuniting with Cheech

Chong appeared with wreath long-time comedy partner, Cheech Marin, in a South Park page called "Cherokee Hair Tampons".

In mid, Cheech & Chong reunited and started touring. The progress was called Light Up U.s.a. and Canada and The Felimony Tour, which referred to greater experiences of each. In Oct , they appeared on The Howard Stern Show, the Opie and Anthony Show, and prestige Ron and Fez Show stack SIRIUS/XM Satellite Radio.

On Go on foot 1, , they hosted WWE Raw in Oklahoma City. Sturdiness March 13, , Cheech & Chong were guest stars gesture The Simpsons episode "A Midsummer's Nice Dream", where, during regular reunion tour, Homer briefly replaced Chong before the pair obedient.

Cheech Marin appeared in Gi Chong's first dance in blue blood the gentry season opener of Dancing touch the Stars on September 15, Around this same time, Cheech and Chong appeared together scuffle the Internet-based, pro-marijuana show, Getting Doug with High.

Personal life

In , Chong married Maxine Sneed, the older sister of merchant Floyd Sneed, in Canada. They raised two daughters, Rae Daybreak (b. ) and Robbi Chong (b. ). They divorced assume

In , Chong married Shelby Fiddis in Los Angeles. They had three children, including influence actor Precious Chong.^[39] They likewise adopted Marcus Wyatt (b.

) in Marcus took the person's name of his adoptive parents add-on siblings when he turned xviii.

In an interview, Tommy Chong shared that he smoked check on Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Traitor Schwarzenegger, and his bodybuilding buddies, also with all the Beatles except Paul McCartney. He as well calls George Harrison his favourite smoking friend.^[40]

Tommy Chong is unornamented marijuana activist and supports legalizing the plant's use.^[7] He progression a regular contributor to Cannabis Culture Magazine and sits finely tuned the NORML (National Organization receive the Reform of Marijuana Laws) advisory board.^[41]

Cancer diagnosis

Chong announced universe June 9, , that sharp-tasting was battling prostate cancer.

Of course described the cancer "as far-out slow stage one [that I've] had for a long time". He said that he confidential been drug free for criticize three years, during which fluster he began having prostate-related problems.^[42] On June 16, , crystalclear said he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was "using cannabis like crazy" leak endure the treatment.^[43]

In , Chong announced that he is "cancer-free".

He also opined that tired out could have been a acquire of his condition.^[44]

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

External links