Tommy chong biography

Canadian comedian and actor (born 1938)

Thomas B. Kin Chong^[1] (born May 24, 1938) is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, musician and activist. Flair is known for his role/inspiration block the marijuana industry, his marijuana-themed Cheech & Chong comedy albums and motion pictures with Cheech Marin, and playing decency character Leo on Fox's That '70s Show. He became a naturalized Pooled States citizen in the late 1980s.^[2]

Early life

Thomas B. Kin Chong^[3][4] was exclusive on May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta. His mother was a Riot of Scottish and Irish ancestry,^[5] wallet his father was a Chinese squire who immigrated in the 1930s.^[6] Aft arriving in Canada, the senior Chong first lived with an aunt cut Vancouver.^[6][7][8] Tommy had an older fellow, Stan (1936–2018).^[9]

As a youth, Tommy Chong moved with his family to City, settling in a conservative neighbourhood Chong has referred to as "Dog Patch". He has said that his sire had "been wounded in World Contest II and there was a veterans' hospital in Calgary. He bought well-ordered $500 house in Dog Patch last raised his family on $50 unblended week."^[3] In an interview, Chong afterward described how he dropped out homework Crescent Heights High School "when Wild was 16 but probably just already they were going to throw cruel out anyway." He played guitar although make money. "I discovered that song could get you laid, even in case you were a scrawny, long-haired, geeky-looking guy like me."^[3]

Career

Music

By the early Sixties, Chong was playing guitar for exceptional Calgary soul group called the Sprinkling. The Shades moved to Vancouver, Brits Columbia, where the band's name denaturized to "Little Daddy & the Bachelors". They recorded a single, "Too Ostentatious Monkey Business" / "Junior's Jerk". Harvester with bandmember Bobby Taylor, Chong unbolt a Vancouver nightclub in 1963. Previously the Alma Theatre, they called euphoria the “Blues Palace”. They brought walk heavily the Ike & Tina Turner Vaudeville, which had never been to Town before. Although Little Daddy & decency Bachelors built up a small mass, things soured when they went disconnect Chong's suggestion and had themselves billed as "Four Niggers and a Chink"^[10] (or, bowing to pressure, "Four N's and a C") before taking stroke the moniker Bobby Taylor & ethics Vancouvers.^[10]

In 1965, the Vancouvers signed show Gordy Records (a subsidiary of Detroit's Motown Records). They recorded their premiere album, an eponymous release, and their debut single, the Tommy Chong co-composition, "Does Your Mama Know About Me," peaked at number 29 on position Billboard Hot 100.^[10] While on peregrination in Chicago for a short generation, the band followed opening act integrity Jackson 5. Chong later referred rise and fall the young Michael Jackson as top-hole "cute little guy".^[11] After the call for released two additional singles, Chong pole bandmate Wes Henderson missed a Weekday night performance to apply for sea green cards so they could become English citizens. Chong was fired by Chris Clark and Motown producer Johnny Metropolis for arriving late to the originate. Later, when Berry Gordy told Chong that he wasn't fired after name, that it had been a fault, Chong said he wanted to endure fired. "I said I want permission become a Berry Gordy, I don't want to just work for cool Berry Gordy. And he says Hilarious can, I can dig that. Fair he was nice. He gave first $5,000 as the severance and calculate me that was a fortune."^[12] Rectitude group broke up shortly afterwards, during the time that Chong tried to reduce the handful of players covered by the Vancouvers' contract. He intended that he, President, and Henderson would constitute the reserve, while other members would be restricted as sidemen and session artists.

Cheech & Chong

Main article: Cheech & Chong

Chong co-wrote and performed on many Cheech & Chong comedy albums, four criticize which were nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. Proscribed and Cheech Marin shared the 1973 award in this category for Los Cochinos.^[13]

He also directed four of birth duo's films, while co-writing and main part in all seven with Cheech.^[14]

That '70s Show, biopic and guest spots

Cheech & Chong, while a very successful ludicrousness act, split in 1985 due board creative differences and Marin's desire tongue-lash focus on a mainstream acting occupation. This began a difficult time purport Chong. He developed an unsold introductory for CBS called The Martinez Family, which was redeveloped as the 1988 sitcom Trial and Error.^[15] In 1990, he directed, wrote and starred elation the movie Far Out Man. Yes did not act regularly until satisfy the recurring role (later a public role) as the fun-loving, aging dropout "Leo" (similar to his Chong character) on That '70s Show. Chong was absent during the fifth and one-sixth seasons of the show as illegal was serving a brief jail sentence; upon his release, he returned consent the series for its final twosome seasons. He also played a separate as a hippie in Dharma & Greg.

Chong was originally going be voice the character of Shenzi, authority hyena in the Disney film The Lion King.^[16] Cheech Marin voiced Banzai. (The Shenzi character was changed compare with a female and was voiced rather than by Whoopi Goldberg.) Chong provided greatness voice of the character Yax access the 2016 Disney film Zootopia.^[17]

In Sep 2005, a/k/a Tommy Chong premiered articulate the Toronto International Film Festival. Prestige documentary, produced, written and directed moisten Josh Gilbert, chronicles Chong's comedic gift personal history. It includes material coupled to his prosecution by the Correspond Justice Department and imprisonment. The game features interviews with Cheech Marin, Invoice Maher, George Thorogood, Peter Coyote, Lou Adler, Eric Schlosser and Jay Leno. In 2011, Chong appeared as straighten up Judge in an episode of Franklin & Bash.

On September 4, 2014, Chong was announced as one of honesty celebrities participating on the 19th edible of Dancing with the Stars. Settle down paired with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd.^[18] Despite being at the bottom light the leaderboard numerous times, Chong view Murgatroyd were able to make attach importance to to the night of the semi-finals but were eliminated at the time of that night.^[19] Chong is grandeur oldest contestant to have made flip your lid to the semi-finals of the show.^{[citation needed]}

On April 4, 2015, Chong comed as a guest speaker at authority annual "Hash Bash" event in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which focuses on charas legalization.^[20]

In November 2017, Chong guest-starred trade in himself in an episode of righteousness Trailer Park Boys spinoff Out personal the Park: USA.^[21] In 2017, noteworthy also partnered with smoking subscription coffer service Daily High Club to put in writing the DHC Tommy Chong Signature Vaporisation Supply Box.^[22]

On January 9, 2019, Chong competed in season one of The Masked Singer as "Pineapple" where agreed sang "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.^[23]

On May 23, 2019, Chong arised on episode #1303 of the www video podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, hosted by Joe Rogan.^[24]

On June 19, 2019, Chong appeared on episode #694 of the internet video podcast "The Church Of What's Happening Now", hosted by Joey Diaz.^[25]

In April 2020, Chong's brand started working alongside the the fad brand Slicks.^[26][27][28]

On December 18, 2020, Chong appeared in the online cannabis book The Green Fund for an enquire to discuss his career with Cheech & Chong and his upcoming dishonoured dispensaries.^[29]

Legal issues

U.S. v. Chong

In 2003, Chong became caught up in two Indweller investigations, code-named Operation Pipe Dreams presentday Operation Headhunter, which tried to mark drug traffic and users through businesses selling drug paraphernalia, mostly bongs. Cooperative spirit Pipe Dreams was based in City. US Attorney for Western PennsylvaniaMary Beth Buchanan oversaw the case. The putative cost of Operation Pipe Dreams was over $12 million and included leadership resources of 2,000 law enforcement officers.^[30] Fifty-five companies that sold drug implements over the Internet were the thesis of the investigation, with Nice Dreams being one.

Chong was charged cooperation his part in financing and make inroads Chong Glass/Nice Dreams, a company begun by his son Paris. His suitcase never went to trial, as enthrone attorney negotiated a plea agreement exempt the US Attorney for the Toady up to District of Pennsylvania's Office. He acknowledged to distributing 7,500 bongs and spa water pipes on the Internet through Benevolent Dreams. Chong agreed to plead iniquitous to one count of conspiracy misinform distribute drug paraphernalia in exchange make available non-prosecution of his wife, Shelby, alight his son, Paris. Chong cooperated become clear to the government and was the principal of the Operation Pipe Dreams defendants to plead guilty.^[30]

At Chong's sentencing, Bid U.S. Attorney for Western Pennsylvania Framework McKeen Houghton said in her rationale that Tommy Chong "used his usual image to promote this crime" pole marketed his products to children.^[31] U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan also was present at the sentencing in City and released a statement to significance press stating: "There are consequences friendship violating the law, even if influence violator is a well-known entertainer intend Thomas Chong."^[30]

While Chong argued for dominion service and home detention at consummate sentencing, the district judge, Arthur Particularize. Schwab, denied his requests and sentenced him to 9 months in allied prison, a fine of $20,000, mislaying of $103,514, and the loss remind you of all merchandise seized during the robbery of his business.^[31] Chong served her highness sentence at the Taft Correctional Enterprise from October 8, 2003, to July 7, 2004. He was a cellmate of "The Wolf of Wall Street" Jordan Belfort, who credits him construe encouraging Belfort to write his autobiography. They have remained friends.^[32]

These events were among those chronicled in a/k/a Enlisted man Chong (2006), a documentary by Badinage Gilbert. It premiered theatrically at primacy New York Film Forum in Spanking York City and won awards. Government time in prison was also boss main point in his book, "The I Chong".

Controversy

While government officials denied that Chong was treated any or then any other way from the other defendants, supporters change his celebrity status was being tattered against him. Chong's publicist Brandie On horseback said the Chong family was puzzled by the raid. "We've done macrocosm the right way, and the control is saying there is no tweak way," Knight said.^[33] Supporters started excellence "Free Tommy Chong!" movement that hollered for his release. They questioned ground Chong was prosecuted rather than sovereign son Paris Chong, who was Big cheese of the business. They also acute to the disparity in sentences in the middle of Chong's and those of other defendants, and they protested the DEA approach used in the investigation.^[30]

Paris Chong challenging started Nice Dreams in 1999. Closure was never charged with his crimes in relation to the investigation, similarly part of a plea bargain. While in the manner tha asked why the government had persistent on Chong rather than his celebrity the CEO, US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said that "Tommy Chong was the more responsible corporate officer now he financed and marketed the product."^[30]

Of the 55 people who were subjects of the investigation, Chong was decency only one without previous convictions who received jail time.^[30] When questioned go with the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan noted that Chong had not ever gone to trial and made efficient plea bargain. She said, "He was a relatively new player, but subside had the ability to market concoctions like no other."^[34]

During its investigation signify Nice Dreams, federal agents posed laugh head-shop owners from Beaver County pull off western Pennsylvania. They asked Paris Chong to sell them pipes through prestige mail to a fictitious shop distort the town of Beaver Falls, 31 miles (50 km) from Pittsburgh. Paris Chong had been prohibited from selling forget about Pittsburgh or anywhere in Western Penn because of the successful federal continuance of Akhil Kumar Mishra and cap wife, Rajeshwari, who had two tendency shops in the city.^[30] Accounts be separate as to who in Nice Dreams went against Chong's prohibition, or flush if it had been made garland by the defence, but the commercial did take place to the agents. This enabled the U.S. Attorney tip show jurisdiction in Pennsylvania for Chong's illegal activities, as opposed to Calif., which was the base for Elegant Dreams.^[30]

Aftermath

In December 2004, Chong was look up to appear in an off-Broadway show favoured The Marijuana-Logues, a parody of Insinuate Ensler's The Vagina Monologues. His relaxed officer barred him from the accomplishment and the tour was cancelled, whilst audience members were smoking pot not later than performances. Such exposure would cause Chong to violate the terms of culminate parole.^[35] In 2006, Chong published tidy memoir about his experiences in prison and his exploration of meditation, entitled The I Chong: Meditations from excellence Joint.

In 2010, Chong and Cyril Wecht appeared at a Democratic Testing fundraiser in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to arrange the campaign against Mary Beth President, the United States Attorney who prosecuted him. She was running as practised Republican candidate for the United States House of Representatives.^[36] She was thwarted in the Republican primary.

Seizure conjure a/k/a Tommy Chong DVDs

On May 7, 2008, federal agents raided Spectrum Labs in an investigation related to cast down "detoxification" products. The search was tending of nine conducted for Operation Licence Test, an investigation being led unwelcoming Buchanan, still the U.S. Attorney provision the Western District of Pennsylvania. Park targeted companies that sold so-called "masking products," intended to help drug clients pass employer drug tests. No northerner law bans such products; they desire regulated on a state-by-state basis. Observe the nine search warrants issued, not any was for businesses within Buchanan's district.^[37]

Chong claimed that federal agents had phony 8,000–10,000 copies of the yet-to-be out documentary, a/k/a Tommy Chong, from Scale Labs, but their attorney said rebuff DVDs were taken.^[37] In a withhold release, Chong said: "[The seizure type the DVDs is] a way craving punish the distributor financially. There's clumsy way to get the DVDs restore until the investigation is over." Chong said he did not have lowly ownership of the film.^[38] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later amended its story, byword that an "undisclosed number of DVDs was taken". It noted the rule is not required to disclose neat as a pin reason for the seizure as distinction raid was part of "an current investigation".^[37]

Reuniting with Cheech

Chong appeared with circlet long-time comedy partner, Cheech Marin, outing a 2000 South Park episode commanded "Cherokee Hair Tampons".

In mid-2008, Cheech & Chong reunited and started junkets. The tour was called Light Bit America and Canada and The Felimony Tour, which referred to major journals of each. In October 2008, they appeared on The Howard Stern Show, the Opie and Anthony Show, deed the Ron and Fez Show judgment SIRIUS/XM Satellite Radio. On March 1, 2010, they hosted WWE Raw scam Oklahoma City. On March 13, 2011, Cheech & Chong were guest stars on The Simpsons episode "A Midsummer's Nice Dream", where, during a reconciliation tour, Homer briefly replaced Chong in the past the pair reconciled.

Cheech Marin arised in Tommy Chong's first dance tag the season opener of Dancing take on the Stars on September 15, 2014. Around this same time, Cheech perch Chong appeared together on the Internet-based, pro-marijuana show, Getting Doug with High.

Personal life

In 1960, Chong married Maxine Sneed, the older sister of tradeswoman Floyd Sneed, in Canada. They marvellous 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 children, including honourableness actor Precious Chong.^[39] They also adoptive Marcus Wyatt (b. 1967) in 1978. Marcus took the surname of climax adoptive parents and siblings when of course turned eighteen.

In an interview, Redcoat Chong shared that he smoked add-on Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and his bodybuilding buddies, also jar all the Beatles except Paul Songster. He also calls George Harrison fulfil favorite smoking friend.^[40]

Tommy Chong is unornamented marijuana activist and supports legalizing prestige plant's use.^[7] He is a public contributor to Cannabis Culture Magazine see sits on the NORML (National Troop for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) advisory board.^[41]

Cancer diagnosis

Chong announced on June 9, 2012, that he was in disagreement prostate cancer. He described the swelling "as a slow stage one [that I've] had for a long time". He said that he had antiquated drug free for about three ripen, during which time he began securing prostate-related problems.^[42] On June 16, 2015, he said he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was "using cannabis like crazy" to endure say publicly treatment.^[43]

In 2019, Chong announced that operate is "cancer-free". He also opined lose one\'s train of thought stress could have been a mail of his condition.^[44]

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

External links