Get doug with high tommy chong biography

Canadian comedian and actor (born 1938)

Tommy Chong
Chong dry mop the 2022 WonderCon
Birth name	Thomas B. Breed 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, assailant comedy, sketch comedy
Subject(s)	Canadian culture, analgesic culture, everyday life, recreational pharmaceutical use
Spouse	Maxine Sneed ​ ​ (m. 1960; div. 1970)​
Children	6, including Rae, Robbi and Marcus
Relative(s)	C. Thomas Howell (former-son-in-law)

Thomas B. Kin Chong^[1] (born Could 24, 1938) is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, musician and confirmed. He is known for king role/inspiration in the marijuana labour, his marijuana-themed Cheech & Chong comedy albums and movies stay Cheech Marin, and playing righteousness character Leo on Fox's That '70s Show.

He became spruce up naturalized United States citizen hassle the late 1980s.^[2]

Early life

Thomas Clumsy. Kin Chong^[3][4] was born concealment May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta. His mother was neat Canadian of Scottish and Green ancestry,^[5] and his father was a Chinese man who immigrated in the 1930s.^[6] After inward in Canada, the senior Chong first lived with an laugh in Vancouver.^[6][7][8] Tommy had plug up older brother, Stan (1936–2018).^[9]

As a-one youth, Tommy Chong moved check on his family to Calgary, ebb in a conservative neighbourhood Chong has referred to as "Dog Patch".

He has said depart his father had "been untenable in World War II accept there was a veterans' health centre in Calgary. He bought a-okay $500 house in Dog Snip and raised his family determination $50 a week."^[3] In block off interview, Chong later described though he dropped out of Sickle-shape Heights High School "when Mad was 16 but probably openminded before they were going disparagement throw me out anyway." Significant played guitar to make poorly off.

"I discovered that music could get you laid, even take as read you were a scrawny, unkempt, geeky-looking guy like me."^[3]

Career

Music

By grandeur early 1960s, Chong was exhibit guitar for a Calgary spirit group called the Shades. Influence Shades moved to Vancouver, Island Columbia, where the band's nickname changed to "Little Daddy & the Bachelors".

They recorded fine single, "Too Much Monkey Business" / "Junior's Jerk". Together surrender bandmember Bobby Taylor, Chong unbolt a Vancouver nightclub in 1963. Formerly the Alma Theatre, they called it the “Blues Palace”. They brought in the Adore & Tina Turner Revue, which had never been to City before. Although Little Daddy & the Bachelors built up swell small following, things soured during the time that they went with Chong's tinge and had themselves billed rightfully "Four Niggers and a Chink"^[10] (or, bowing to pressure, "Four N's and a C") in advance taking on the moniker Officer 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 unchain, and their debut single, honesty Tommy Chong co-composition, "Does Your Mama Know About Me," at number 29 on honesty Billboard Hot 100.^[10] While awareness tour in Chicago for unblended short time, the band followed opening act the Jackson 5. Chong later referred to rectitude young Michael Jackson as top-hole "cute little guy".^[11] After character band released two additional singles, Chong and bandmate Wes Henderson missed a Friday night story to apply for green single point adept so they could become Land citizens.

Chong was fired gross Chris Clark and Motown maker Johnny Bristol for arriving squeeze out to the gig. Later, just as Berry Gordy told Chong ditch he wasn't fired after burst, that it had been capital mistake, Chong said he sought to stay fired. "I voiced articulate I want to become spick Berry Gordy, I don't pine for to just work for unblended Berry Gordy.

And he says I can, I can tunnel that. So he was good-looking. He gave me $5,000 although the severance and to deem that was a fortune."^[12] Prestige group broke up shortly consequently, when Chong tried to diminish the number of players underground by the Vancouvers' contract. Lighten up intended that he, Taylor, gain Henderson would constitute the status, while other members would quip classified as sidemen and distraction artists.

Cheech & Chong

Main article: Cheech & Chong

Chong co-wrote add-on performed on many Cheech & Chong comedy albums, four accomplish which were nominated for character Grammy Award for Best Facetiousness Album. He and Cheech Marin shared the 1973 award fasten this category for Los Cochinos.^[13]

He also directed four of say publicly duo's films, while co-writing crucial starring in all seven handle Cheech.^[14]

That '70s Show, biopic dispatch guest spots

Cheech & Chong, space fully a very successful comedy impermeable, split in 1985 due itch creative differences and Marin's pining to focus on a mainstream acting career.

This began put in order difficult time for Chong. Lighten up developed an unsold pilot put on view CBS called The Martinez Family, which was redeveloped as decency 1988 sitcom Trial and Error.^[15] In 1990, he directed, wrote and starred in the pellicle Far Out Man. He outspoken not act regularly until load the recurring role (later uncomplicated regular role) as the carefree, aging hippie "Leo" (similar trigger his Chong character) on That '70s Show.

Chong was gone during the fifth and 6th seasons of the show variety he was serving a momentary jail sentence; upon his happiness, he returned to the tilt for its final two seasons. He also played a carve up as a hippie in Dharma & Greg.

Chong was from the beginning going to voice the legroom of Shenzi, the hyena doubtful the Disney film The Warrior big name King.^[16] Cheech Marin voiced Banzai.

(The Shenzi character was denaturized to a female and was voiced instead by Whoopi Goldberg.) Chong provided the voice run through the character Yax in character 2016 Disney film Zootopia.^[17]

In Sept 2005, a/k/a Tommy Chong premiered at the Toronto International Single Festival.

The documentary, produced, foreordained and directed by Josh Doc, chronicles Chong's comedic and in the flesh history. It includes material agnate to his prosecution by depiction US Justice Department and hardship. The project features interviews unwanted items Cheech Marin, Bill Maher, Martyr Thorogood, Peter Coyote, Lou Adler, Eric Schlosser and Jay Leno.

In 2011, Chong appeared chimp a Judge in an folio of Franklin & Bash.

On Sept 4, 2014, Chong was declared as one of the celebrities participating on the 19th spell 1 of Dancing with the Stars. He paired with professional performer Peta Murgatroyd.^[18] Despite being advocate the bottom of the leaderboard numerous times, Chong and Murgatroyd were able to make try to the night of description semi-finals but were eliminated parallel with the ground the end of that night.^[19] Chong is the oldest adversary to have made it disturb the semi-finals of the show.^{[citation needed]}

On April 4, 2015, Chong appeared as a guest keynoter at the annual "Hash Bash" event in Ann Arbor, Lake, which focuses on cannabis legalization.^[20]

In November 2017, Chong guest-starred significance himself in an episode be more or less the Trailer Park Boys sideeffect Out of the Park: USA.^[21] In 2017, he also partnered with smoking subscription box letting Daily High Club to undertake the DHC Tommy Chong Features Smoking Supply Box.^[22]

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

On May 23, 2019, Chong appeared on episode #1303 be required of the internet video podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, hosted gross Joe Rogan.^[24]

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

In April 2020, Chong's brand in progress working alongside the fashion brand name Slicks.^[26][27][28]

On December 18, 2020, Chong appeared in the online marijuana publication The Green Fund funding an interview to discuss her highness career with Cheech & Chong and his upcoming branded dispensaries.^[29]

Legal issues

U.S.

v. Chong

In 2003, Chong became caught up in span American investigations, code-named Operation Shrill Dreams and Operation Headhunter, which tried to trace drug movement and users through businesses acquire drug paraphernalia, mostly bongs. Advantage Pipe Dreams was based effect Pittsburgh. US Attorney for Flight of fancy PennsylvaniaMary Beth Buchanan oversaw goodness case.

The estimated cost flaxen Operation Pipe Dreams was manipulate $12 million and included rank resources of 2,000 law performing officers.^[30] Fifty-five companies that advertise drug paraphernalia over the Net were the subject of greatness investigation, with Nice Dreams document one.

Chong was charged accompaniment his part in financing president promoting Chong Glass/Nice Dreams, swell company started by his mutually Paris.

His case never went to trial, as his barrister negotiated a plea agreement tweak the US Attorney for influence Western District of Pennsylvania's Be in power. He admitted to distributing 7,500 bongs and water pipes proletariat the Internet through Nice Dreams. Chong agreed to plead blameworthy to one count of scheme to distribute drug paraphernalia surprise exchange for non-prosecution of government wife, Shelby, and his stupidity, Paris.

Chong cooperated with justness government and was the leading of the Operation Pipe Dreams defendants to plead guilty.^[30]

At Chong's sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney espouse Western Pennsylvania Mary McKeen Town said in her arguments dump Tommy Chong "used his disclose image to promote this crime" and marketed his products predict children.^[31] U.S.

Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan also was present dress warmly the sentencing in Pittsburgh most recent released a statement to honourableness press stating: "There are results for violating the law, regular if the violator is ingenious well-known entertainer like Thomas Chong."^[30]

While Chong argued for community ride and home detention at rulership sentencing, the district judge, President J.

Schwab, denied his requests and sentenced him to 9 months in federal prison, top-notch fine of $20,000, forfeiture heed $103,514, and the loss mimic all merchandise seized during prestige raid of his business.^[31] Chong served his sentence at representation Taft Correctional Institution from Oct 8, 2003, to July 7, 2004. He was a cellmate of "The Wolf of Enclosure Street" Jordan Belfort, who credits him for encouraging Belfort suggest write his memoirs.

They be blessed with remained friends.^[32]

These events were between those chronicled in a/k/a Fighter Chong (2006), a documentary moisten Josh Gilbert. It premiered histrionically at the New York Vinyl Forum in New York Sweep and won awards. His goal in prison was also systematic main point in his seamless, "The I Chong".

Controversy

While authority officials denied that Chong was treated any differently from excellence other defendants, supporters felt diadem celebrity status was being ragged against him. Chong's publicist Brandie Knight said the Chong kinship was shocked by the incursion. "We've done everything the tweak way, and the government even-handed saying there is no adequate way," Knight said.^[33] Supporters begun the "Free Tommy Chong!" drive that called for his unfasten.

They questioned why Chong was prosecuted rather than his spirit Paris Chong, who was Managerial of the business. They additionally pointed to the disparity mud sentences between Chong's and those of other defendants, and they protested the DEA tactics reach-me-down in the investigation.^[30]

Paris Chong locked away started Nice Dreams in 1999.

He was never charged junk his crimes in relation cope with the investigation, as part look up to a plea bargain. When willingly why the government had punctilious on Chong rather than empress son the CEO, US Advocate Mary Beth Buchanan said go off at a tangent "Tommy Chong was the advanced responsible corporate officer because proscribed financed and marketed the product."^[30]

Of the 55 people who were subjects of the investigation, Chong was the only one impoverished previous convictions who received sum up time.^[30] When questioned on blue blood the gentry sentencing, U.S.

Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan noted that Chong confidential never gone to trial spell made a plea bargain. She said, "He was a more new player, but he esoteric the ability to market proceeds like no other."^[34]

During its controversy of Nice Dreams, federal agents posed as head-shop owners make the first move Beaver County in western Colony.

They asked Paris Chong crossreference sell them pipes through birth mail to a fictitious workroom in the town of Topper Falls, 31 miles (50 km) cause the collapse of Pittsburgh. Paris Chong had back number prohibited from selling to Metropolis or anywhere in Western Penn because of the successful allied prosecution of Akhil Kumar Mishra and his wife, Rajeshwari, who had two head shops tidy the city.^[30] Accounts differ primate to who in Nice Dreams went against Chong's prohibition, combine even if it had antediluvian made up by the shut in, but the sales did hire place to the agents.

That enabled the U.S. Attorney suggest show jurisdiction in Pennsylvania arrangement Chong's illegal activities, as unwilling to California, which was high-mindedness base for Nice Dreams.^[30]

Aftermath

In Dec 2004, Chong was to emerge in an off-Broadway show elite The Marijuana-Logues, a parody outandout Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues.

His parole officer barred him from the show and magnanimity tour was cancelled, as tryst assembly members were smoking pot nearby performances. Such exposure would provoke Chong to violate the terminology conditions of his parole.^[35] In 2006, Chong published a memoir obtain his experiences in jail see his exploration of meditation, denominated The I Chong: Meditations immigrant the Joint.

In 2010, Chong and Cyril Wecht appeared certified a Democratic Party fundraiser swindle Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to aid position campaign against Mary Beth President, the United States Attorney who prosecuted him. She was physically possible as a Republican candidate insinuate the United States House position Representatives.^[36] She was defeated shamble the Republican primary.

Seizure neat as a new pin a/k/a Tommy Chong DVDs

On Might 7, 2008, federal agents raided Spectrum Labs in an dig up related to its "detoxification" revenue. The search was one reinforce nine conducted for Operation Accurate Test, an investigation being take the edge off by Buchanan, still the U.S.

Attorney for the Western Community of Pennsylvania. It targeted companies that sold so-called "masking products," intended to help drug clients pass employer drug tests. Rebuff federal law bans such products; they are regulated on spiffy tidy up state-by-state basis. Of the ninespot search warrants issued, none was for businesses within Buchanan's district.^[37]

Chong claimed that federal agents locked away seized 8,000–10,000 copies of class yet-to-be released documentary, a/k/a Squaddie or squaddy Chong, from Spectrum Labs, however their attorney said no DVDs were taken.^[37] In a seem release, Chong said: "[The contraction of the DVDs is] excellent way to punish the intermediary financially.

There's no way extort get the DVDs back inconclusive the investigation is over." Chong said he did not imitate any ownership of the film.^[38] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later revised its story, saying that air "undisclosed number of DVDs was taken". It noted the control is not required to blurt out a reason for the taking attack as the raid was detach of "an ongoing investigation".^[37]

Reuniting warmth Cheech

Chong appeared with his long-time comedy partner, Cheech Marin, detect a 2000 South Park event called "Cherokee Hair Tampons".

In mid-2008, Cheech & Chong reunited and started touring. The expedition was called Light Up U.s.a. and Canada and The Felimony Tour, which referred to older experiences of each. In Oct 2008, they appeared on The Howard Stern Show, the Opie and Anthony Show, and integrity Ron and Fez Show rubble SIRIUS/XM Satellite Radio.

On Advance 1, 2010, they hosted WWE Raw in Oklahoma City. Feeling March 13, 2011, Cheech & Chong were guest stars expertise The Simpsons episode "A Midsummer's Nice Dream", where, during neat reunion tour, Homer briefly replaced Chong before the pair obedient.

Cheech Marin appeared in Man-at-arms Chong's first dance in loftiness season opener of Dancing go through the Stars on September 15, 2014.

Around this same put on ice, Cheech and Chong appeared foster on the Internet-based, pro-marijuana demonstrate, Getting Doug with High.

Personal life

In 1960, Chong married Maxine Sneed, the older sister comment 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 line, including the actor Precious Chong.^[39] They also adopted Marcus Poet (b. 1967) in 1978. Marcus took the surname of surmount adoptive parents and siblings as he turned eighteen.

In undecorated interview, Tommy Chong shared think it over he smoked with Willie Admiral, Snoop Dogg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, abstruse his bodybuilding buddies, also run into all the Beatles except Undesirable McCartney.

He also calls Martyr Harrison his favorite smoking friend.^[40]

Tommy Chong is a marijuana devotee and supports legalizing the plant's use.^[7] He is a everyday contributor to Cannabis Culture Magazine and sits on the NORML (National Organization for the Vary of Marijuana Laws) advisory board.^[41]

Cancer diagnosis

Chong announced on June 9, 2012, that he was do battle prostate cancer.

He described birth cancer "as a slow tier one [that I've] had practise a long time". He voiced articulate that he had been medicament free for about three eld, during which time he began having prostate-related problems.^[42] On June 16, 2015, he said unwind had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was "using dope like crazy" to endure ethics treatment.^[43]

In 2019, Chong announced ditch he is "cancer-free".

He as well opined that stress could have to one`s name been a cause of climax condition.^[44]

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

External links