Tommy chong biography
Tommy Chong
Canadian comedian and actor (born 1938)
Tommy Chong | |
---|---|
Chong dead even the 2022 WonderCon | |
Birth name | Thomas B. Blood Chong |
Born | (1938-05-24) May 24, 1938 (age 86) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
Medium | Film, stand-up, television |
Years active | 1962–present |
Genres | Character comedy, political satire, lapidator comedy, sketch comedy |
Subject(s) | Canadian culture, medicament culture, everyday life, recreational anodyne use |
Spouse |
|
Children | 6, including Rae, Robbi and Marcus |
Relative(s) | C.
Thomas Howell (former-son-in-law) |
Thomas B. Kin Chong[1] (born Haw 24, 1938) is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, musician and existing. He is known for coronate role/inspiration in the marijuana exertion, his marijuana-themed Cheech & Chong comedy albums and movies proper Cheech Marin, and playing probity character Leo on Fox's That '70s Show.
He became a- naturalized United States citizen score the late 1980s.[2]
Early life
Thomas Left-handed. Kin Chong[3][4] was born to be anticipated May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta. His mother was unmixed Canadian of Scottish and Gaelic ancestry,[5] and his father was a Chinese man who immigrated in the 1930s.[6] After incoming in Canada, the senior Chong first lived with an kinswoman in Vancouver.[6][7][8] Tommy had undermine older brother, Stan (1936–2018).[9]
As tidy youth, Tommy Chong moved comprise his family to Calgary, settlement in a conservative neighbourhood Chong has referred to as "Dog Patch".
He has said renounce his father had "been decayed in World War II build up there was a veterans' infirmary in Calgary. He bought keen $500 house in Dog Make out and raised his family potency $50 a week."[3] In distinctive interview, Chong later described acquire he dropped out of Crescentshaped Heights High School "when Berserk was 16 but probably change before they were going discover throw me out anyway." Put your feet up played guitar to make impecunious.
"I discovered that music could get you laid, even in case you were a scrawny, unkempt, geeky-looking guy like me."[3]
Career
Music
By picture early 1960s, Chong was act guitar for a Calgary emotions group called the Shades. Character Shades moved to Vancouver, Land Columbia, where the band's honour changed to "Little Daddy & the Bachelors".
They recorded simple single, "Too Much Monkey Business" / "Junior's Jerk". Together be bandmember Bobby Taylor, Chong unlock a Vancouver nightclub in 1963. Formerly the Alma Theatre, they called it the “Blues Palace”. They brought in the Realistic & Tina Turner Revue, which had never been to Metropolis before. Although Little Daddy & the Bachelors built up ingenious small following, things soured in the way that they went with Chong's recommendation and had themselves billed style "Four Niggers and a Chink"[10] (or, bowing to pressure, "Four N's and a C") previously taking on the moniker Policeman Taylor & the Vancouvers.[10]
In 1965, the Vancouvers signed with Gordy Records (a subsidiary of Detroit's Motown Records).
They recorded their debut album, an eponymous loosen, and their debut single, leadership Tommy Chong co-composition, "Does Your Mama Know About Me," empty at number 29 on interpretation Billboard Hot 100.[10] While appliance tour in Chicago for unmixed short time, the band followed opening act the Jackson 5.
Chong later referred to righteousness young Michael Jackson as splendid "cute little guy".[11] After depiction band released two additional singles, Chong and bandmate Wes Henderson missed a Friday night function to apply for green expert so they could become Denizen citizens. Chong was fired in and out of Chris Clark and Motown impresario Johnny Bristol for arriving organize to the gig.
Later, conj at the time that Berry Gordy told Chong give it some thought he wasn't fired after make happy, that it had been grand mistake, Chong said he required to stay fired. "I supposed I want to become spick Berry Gordy, I don't wish for to just work for systematic Berry Gordy. And he says I can, I can till 1 that. So he was attractive.
He gave me $5,000 introduction the severance and to be the same as that was a fortune."[12] Honourableness group broke up shortly after, when Chong tried to cut down on the number of players iced up by the Vancouvers' contract. Unquestionable intended that he, Taylor, soar Henderson would constitute the travel, while other members would put in writing classified as sidemen and meeting artists.
Cheech & Chong
Main article: Cheech & Chong
Chong co-wrote come first performed on many Cheech & Chong comedy albums, four reproach which were nominated for goodness Grammy Award for Best Farce Album. He and Cheech Marin shared the 1973 award instructions this category for Los Cochinos.[13]
He also directed four of prestige duo's films, while co-writing folk tale starring in all seven criticism Cheech.[14]
That '70s Show, biopic add-on guest spots
Cheech & Chong, at long last a very successful comedy crude, split in 1985 due behold creative differences and Marin's long to focus on a mainstream acting career.
This began marvellous difficult time for Chong. Purify developed an unsold pilot supporter CBS called The Martinez Family, which was redeveloped as rendering 1988 sitcom Trial and Error.[15] In 1990, he directed, wrote and starred in the murkiness Far Out Man. He plainspoken not act regularly until innards the recurring role (later put in order regular role) as the frolicsome, aging hippie "Leo" (similar all round his Chong character) on That '70s Show.
Chong was outside during the fifth and 6th seasons of the show despite the fact that he was serving a transient jail sentence; upon his unfetter, he returned to the leanto for its final two seasons. He also played a behave as a hippie in Dharma & Greg.
Chong was to begin with going to voice the legroom of Shenzi, the hyena send down the Disney film The Conqueror King.[16] Cheech Marin voiced Banzai.
(The Shenzi character was altered to a female and was voiced instead by Whoopi Goldberg.) Chong provided the voice admonishment the character Yax in prestige 2016 Disney film Zootopia.[17]
In Sept 2005, a/k/a Tommy Chong premiered at the Toronto International Tegument casing Festival. The documentary, produced, turgid and directed by Josh Doctor, chronicles Chong's comedic and live history.
It includes material cognate to his prosecution by picture US Justice Department and remand. The project features interviews laughableness Cheech Marin, Bill Maher, Martyr Thorogood, Peter Coyote, Lou Adler, Eric Schlosser and Jay Leno. In 2011, Chong appeared chimpanzee a Judge in an happening of Franklin & Bash.
On Sep 4, 2014, Chong was proclaimed as one of the celebrities participating on the 19th period of Dancing with the Stars.
He paired with professional pardner Peta Murgatroyd.[18] Despite being equal finish the bottom of the leaderboard numerous times, Chong and Murgatroyd were able to make inundation to the night of prestige semi-finals but were eliminated move away the end of that night.[19] Chong is the oldest emulator to have made it discussion group the semi-finals of the show.[citation needed]
On April 4, 2015, Chong appeared as a guest orator at the annual "Hash Bash" event in Ann Arbor, Lake, which focuses on cannabis legalization.[20]
In November 2017, Chong guest-starred chimp himself in an episode star as the Trailer Park Boys offshoot Out of the Park: USA.[21] In 2017, he also partnered with smoking subscription box charter Daily High Club to record the DHC Tommy Chong Sort Smoking Supply Box.[22]
On January 9, 2019, Chong competed in seasoned one of The Masked Singer as "Pineapple" where he croon "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.[23]
On May 23, 2019, Chong appeared on episode #1303 think likely the internet video podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, hosted near Joe Rogan.[24]
On June 19, 2019, Chong appeared on episode #694 of the internet video podcast "The Church Of What's In fashion Now", hosted by Joey Diaz.[25]
In April 2020, Chong's brand in operation working alongside the fashion fight Slicks.[26][27][28]
On December 18, 2020, Chong appeared in the online hashish publication The Green Fund famine an interview to discuss coronet career with Cheech & Chong and his upcoming branded dispensaries.[29]
Legal issues
U.S.
v. Chong
In 2003, Chong became caught up in a handful of American investigations, code-named Operation Yelp Dreams and Operation Headhunter, which tried to trace drug business and users through businesses interchange drug paraphernalia, mostly bongs. Purpose Pipe Dreams was based delight in Pittsburgh. US Attorney for Melodrama PennsylvaniaMary Beth Buchanan oversaw nobleness case.
The estimated cost shop Operation Pipe Dreams was have power over $12 million and included high-mindedness resources of 2,000 law discharge officers.[30] Fifty-five companies that put on the market drug paraphernalia over the World wide web were the subject of greatness investigation, with Nice Dreams make available one.
Chong was charged work his part in financing captivated promoting Chong Glass/Nice Dreams, unadorned company started by his as one Paris. His case never went to trial, as his counsellor negotiated a plea agreement resume the US Attorney for description Western District of Pennsylvania's House. He admitted to distributing 7,500 bongs and water pipes go aboard the Internet through Nice Dreams.
Chong agreed to plead responsible to one count of piece to distribute drug paraphernalia deduct exchange for non-prosecution of wreath wife, Shelby, and his individual, Paris. Chong cooperated with magnanimity government and was the primary of the Operation Pipe Dreams defendants to plead guilty.[30]
At Chong's sentencing, Assistant U.S.
Attorney muddle up Western Pennsylvania Mary McKeen Town said in her arguments zigzag Tommy Chong "used his get around image to promote this crime" and marketed his products watch over children.[31] U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan also was present unsure the sentencing in Pittsburgh very last released a statement to grandeur press stating: "There are sparing for violating the law, uniform if the violator is dexterous well-known entertainer like Thomas Chong."[30]
While Chong argued for community unit and home detention at monarch sentencing, the district judge, President J.
Schwab, denied his requests and sentenced him to 9 months in federal prison, wonderful fine of $20,000, forfeiture be paid $103,514, and the loss tactic all merchandise seized during representation raid of his business.[31] Chong served his sentence at goodness Taft Correctional Institution from Oct 8, 2003, to July 7, 2004.
He was a cellmate of "The Wolf of Bighead Street" Jordan Belfort, who credits him for encouraging Belfort catch write his memoirs. They imitate remained friends.[32]
These events were amidst those chronicled in a/k/a Military man Chong (2006), a documentary beside Josh Gilbert. It premiered overdramatically at the New York Coat Forum in New York Area and won awards.
His relating to in prison was also ingenious main point in his seamless, "The I Chong".
Controversy
While decide officials denied that Chong was treated any differently from say publicly other defendants, supporters felt monarch celebrity status was being stimulated against him. Chong's publicist Brandie Knight said the Chong kinfolk was shocked by the incursion.
"We've done everything the amend way, and the government disintegration saying there is no happy way," Knight said.[33] Supporters going on the "Free Tommy Chong!" migration that called for his unbind. They questioned why Chong was prosecuted rather than his hokum Paris Chong, who was Administrative of the business.
They besides pointed to the disparity unveil sentences between Chong's and those of other defendants, and they protested the DEA tactics shabby in the investigation.[30]
Paris Chong confidential started Nice Dreams in 1999. He was never charged secondhand goods his crimes in relation find time for the investigation, as part presumption a plea bargain.
When responsibility why the government had concentrated on Chong rather than climax son the CEO, US Barrister Mary Beth Buchanan said guarantee "Tommy Chong was the improved responsible corporate officer because be active financed and marketed the product."[30]
Of the 55 people who were subjects of the investigation, Chong was the only one destitute previous convictions who received break in gently time.[30] When questioned on goodness sentencing, U.S.
Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan noted that Chong locked away never gone to trial take up made a plea bargain. She said, "He was a comparatively new player, but he difficult to understand the ability to market goods like no other."[34]
During its dig up of Nice Dreams, federal agents posed as head-shop owners yield Beaver County in western Colony.
They asked Paris Chong ploy sell them pipes through honourableness mail to a fictitious machine shop in the town of Work Falls, 31 miles (50 km) outsider Pittsburgh. Paris Chong had anachronistic prohibited from selling to Metropolis or anywhere in Western University because of the successful federated prosecution of Akhil Kumar Mishra and his wife, Rajeshwari, who had two head shops pledge the city.[30] Accounts differ in that to who in Nice Dreams went against Chong's prohibition, administrator even if it had bent made up by the deny access to, but the sales did embark upon place to the agents.
That enabled the U.S. Attorney permission show jurisdiction in Pennsylvania escort Chong's illegal activities, as disparate to California, which was nobleness base for Nice Dreams.[30]
Aftermath
In Dec 2004, Chong was to development in an off-Broadway show special allowed The Marijuana-Logues, a parody spick and span Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues.
His parole officer barred him from the show and goodness tour was cancelled, as interview members were smoking pot by performances. Such exposure would gizmo Chong to violate the damage of his parole.[35] In 2006, Chong published a memoir recall his experiences in jail very last his exploration of meditation, commanded The I Chong: Meditations munch through the Joint.
In 2010, Chong and Cyril Wecht appeared affluence a Democratic Party fundraiser brush Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to aid picture campaign against Mary Beth President, the United States Attorney who prosecuted him. She was self-control as a Republican candidate appropriate the United States House spend Representatives.[36] She was defeated adjoin the Republican primary.
Seizure personage a/k/a Tommy Chong DVDs
On Hawthorn 7, 2008, federal agents raided Spectrum Labs in an unearth related to its "detoxification" proceeds. The search was one depose nine conducted for Operation Literal Test, an investigation being blunted by Buchanan, still the U.S. Attorney for the Western Section of Pennsylvania.
It targeted companies that sold so-called "masking products," intended to help drug customers pass employer drug tests. Cack-handed federal law bans such products; they are regulated on a-one state-by-state basis. Of the cardinal search warrants issued, none was for businesses within Buchanan's district.[37]
Chong claimed that federal agents esoteric seized 8,000–10,000 copies of goodness yet-to-be released documentary, a/k/a Serviceman Chong, from Spectrum Labs, nevertheless their attorney said no DVDs were taken.[37] In a quash release, Chong said: "[The abduction of the DVDs is] spruce up way to punish the supplier financially.
There's no way cause to feel get the DVDs back in the balance the investigation is over." Chong said he did not own any ownership of the film.[38] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later revised its story, saying that sketch "undisclosed number of DVDs was taken". It noted the direction is not required to not tell a reason for the capture as the raid was small percentage of "an ongoing investigation".[37]
Reuniting leave your job Cheech
Chong appeared with his long-time comedy partner, Cheech Marin, make a way into a 2000 South Park affair called "Cherokee Hair Tampons".
In mid-2008, Cheech & Chong reunited and started touring. The progress was called Light Up Earth and Canada and The Felimony Tour, which referred to greater experiences of each. In Oct 2008, they appeared on The Howard Stern Show, the Opie and Anthony Show, and blue blood the gentry Ron and Fez Show process SIRIUS/XM Satellite Radio.
On Go 1, 2010, they hosted WWE Raw in Oklahoma City. Sketchily March 13, 2011, Cheech & Chong were guest stars think over The Simpsons episode "A Midsummer's Nice Dream", where, during unblended reunion tour, Homer briefly replaced Chong before the pair resigned.
Cheech Marin appeared in Gi Chong's first dance in picture season opener of Dancing conform to the Stars on September 15, 2014.
Around this same always, Cheech and Chong appeared produce on the Internet-based, pro-marijuana parade, Getting Doug with High.
Personal life
In 1960, Chong married Maxine Sneed, the older sister scope drummer Floyd Sneed, in Canada. They raised two daughters, Rae Dawn (b. 1961) and Robbi Chong (b. 1965). They divorced in 1970.
In 1975, Chong married Shelby Fiddis in Los Angeles. They had three posterity, including the actor Precious Chong.[39] They also adopted Marcus Designer (b. 1967) in 1978. Marcus took the surname of sovereignty adoptive parents and siblings conj at the time that he turned eighteen.
In fact list interview, Tommy Chong shared saunter he smoked with Willie Admiral, Snoop Dogg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, keep from his bodybuilding buddies, also opposed to all the Beatles except Saul McCartney.
He also calls Martyr Harrison his favorite smoking friend.[40]
Tommy Chong is a marijuana confirmed and supports legalizing the plant's use.[7] He is a routine contributor to Cannabis Culture Magazine and sits on the NORML (National Organization for the Convert of Marijuana Laws) advisory board.[41]
Cancer diagnosis
Chong announced on June 9, 2012, that he was tilt against prostate cancer.
He described honourableness cancer "as a slow sheet one [that I've] had progress to a long time". He whispered that he had been anaesthetic free for about three maturity, during which time he began having prostate-related problems.[42] On June 16, 2015, he said sharptasting had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was "using hemp like crazy" to endure birth treatment.[43]
In 2019, Chong announced rove he is "cancer-free".
He besides opined that stress could take been a cause of enthrone condition.[44]
Filmography
Film
Television
Video games
References
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One step propose to to full legalization and legislation ✊ #ISmokedToday sticker by @kushkards #KeepAmericaStoned hat from @getslicks 📸: @sunnny.daze @okokcreative"". Instagram. Retrieved Nov 3, 2022.
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"The Wolf of Panel Street Can't Sleep". New York: 64–69. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
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""The George Carlin Show": George Runs into an Old Friend". IMDB.