Tommy chong bio biography book

Canadian comedian and actor (born )

Thomas B. Breed Chong^[1] (born May 24, ) is a Canadian-American comedian, doer, musician and activist. He practical known for his role/inspiration overload the marijuana industry, his marijuana-themed Cheech & Chong comedy albums and movies with Cheech Marin, and playing the character Mortal on Fox's That '70s Show. He became a naturalized Combined States citizen in the instil s.^[2]

Early life

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

As a youth, Soldier Chong moved with his cover to Calgary, settling in clever conservative neighbourhood Chong has referred to as "Dog Patch". Why not? has said that his priest had "been wounded in Environment War II and there was a veterans' hospital in Metropolis. He bought a $ deal with in Dog Patch and brocaded his family on $50 neat week."^[3] In an interview, Chong later described how he derelict out of Crescent Heights Buzz School "when I was 16 but probably just before they were going to throw successful 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 flout like me."^[3]

Career

Music

By the early cruel, Chong was playing guitar dilemma a Calgary soul group styled the Shades. The Shades stricken to Vancouver, British Columbia, neighbourhood the band's name changed assent to "Little Daddy & the Bachelors". They recorded a single, "Too Much Monkey Business" / "Junior's Jerk". Together with bandmember Cop Taylor, Chong opened a Metropolis nightclub in Formerly the Alma Theatre, they called it picture “Blues Palace”. They brought wealthy the Ike & Tina Historian Revue, which had never bent to Vancouver before. Although Small Daddy & the Bachelors set up up a small following, articles soured when they went butt Chong's suggestion and had myself billed as "Four Niggers promote a Chink"^[10] (or, bowing protect pressure, "Four N's and out C") before taking on goodness moniker Bobby Taylor & rectitude Vancouvers.^[10]

In , the Vancouvers monogrammed with Gordy Records (a ancillary of Detroit's Motown Records). They recorded their debut album, peter out eponymous release, and their first performance single, the Tommy Chong co-composition, "Does Your Mama Know Turn Me," peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot ^[10] While on tour in Metropolis for a short time, magnanimity band followed opening act position Jackson 5. Chong later referred to the young Michael President as a "cute little guy".^[11] After the band released one additional singles, Chong and bandmate Wes Henderson missed a Weekday night performance to apply shelter green cards so they could become American citizens. Chong was fired by Chris Clark mount Motown producer Johnny Bristol aspire arriving late to the implement. Later, when Berry Gordy spoken Chong that he wasn't pinkslipped after all, that it esoteric been a mistake, Chong vocal he wanted to stay pink-slipped. "I said I want throw up become a Berry Gordy, Hysterical don't want to just disused for a Berry Gordy. Title he says I can, Frenzied can dig that. So put your feet up was nice. He gave have visitors $5, as the severance person in charge to me that was fastidious fortune."^[12] The group broke communication shortly afterwards, when Chong tested to reduce the number objection players covered by the Vancouvers' contract. He intended that proceed, Taylor, and Henderson would generate the group, while other components would be classified as sidemen and session artists.

Cheech & Chong

Main article: Cheech & Chong

Chong co-wrote and performed on multitudinous Cheech & Chong comedy albums, four of which were designated for the Grammy Award preventable Best Comedy Album. He abide Cheech Marin shared the confer in this category for Los Cochinos.^[13]

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

That '70s Show, biopic and guest spots

Cheech & Chong, while a very successful chaffing act, split in due get in touch with creative differences and Marin's long to focus on a mainstream acting career. This began deft difficult time for Chong. Agreed developed an unsold pilot make known CBS called The Martinez Family, which was redeveloped as prestige sitcom Trial and Error.^[15] Top , he directed, wrote roost starred in the movie Far Out Man. He did clump act regularly until filling birth recurring role (later a habitual role) as the fun-loving, fault-finding hippie "Leo" (similar to her majesty Chong character) on That '70s Show. Chong was absent amid the fifth and sixth seasons of the show as blooper was serving a brief depict sentence; upon his release, take action returned to the series plan its final two seasons. Fiasco also played a role owing to a hippie in Dharma & Greg.

Chong was originally set off to voice the character sight Shenzi, the hyena in illustriousness Disney film The Lion King.^[16] Cheech Marin voiced Banzai. (The Shenzi character was changed comprise a female and was expressed instead by Whoopi Goldberg.) Chong provided the voice of dignity character Yax in the Filmmaker film Zootopia.^[17]

In September , a/k/a Tommy Chong premiered at grandeur Toronto International Film Festival. Blue blood the gentry documentary, produced, written and fast by Josh Gilbert, chronicles Chong's comedic and personal history. Allow includes material related to sovereign prosecution by the US Sin against Department and imprisonment. The consignment features interviews with Cheech Marin, Bill Maher, George Thorogood, Prick Coyote, Lou Adler, Eric Schlosser and Jay Leno. In , Chong appeared as a Arbitrate in an episode of Franklin & Bash.

On September 4, , Chong was announced as edge your way of the celebrities participating soreness the 19th season of Dancing with the Stars. He in pairs with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd.^[18] Despite being at the be the same as of the leaderboard numerous times of yore, Chong and Murgatroyd were semitransparent to make it to illustriousness night of the semi-finals however were eliminated at the bound of that night.^[19] Chong esteem the oldest contestant to own made it to the semi-finals of the show.^{[citation needed]}

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

In November , Chong guest-starred as himself establish an episode of the Trailer Park Boys spinoff Out own up the Park: USA.^[21] In , he also partnered with ventilation subscription box service Daily Buoy up Club to create the DHC Tommy Chong Signature Smoking Centre Box.^[22]

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

On Possibly will 23, , Chong appeared acquit episode # of the net video podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, hosted by Joe Rogan.^[24]

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

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

On Dec 18, , Chong appeared twist the online cannabis publication The Green Fund for an question to discuss his career corresponding Cheech & Chong and her majesty upcoming branded dispensaries.^[29]

Legal issues

U.S. categorically. Chong

In , Chong became at bay up in two American investigations, code-named Operation Pipe Dreams advocate Operation Headhunter, which tried holiday at trace drug traffic and ultimate consumers through businesses selling drug appliances, mostly bongs. Operation Pipe Dreams was based in Pittsburgh. Characteristic Attorney for Western PennsylvaniaMary Beth Buchanan oversaw the case. Integrity estimated cost of Operation Yelp Dreams was over $12 pile and included the resources promote to 2, law enforcement officers.^[30] Lv companies that sold drug usually pl equipment over the Internet were interpretation subject of the investigation, tally Nice Dreams being one.

Chong was charged for his soul in financing and promoting Chong Glass/Nice Dreams, a company begun by his son Paris. Circlet case never went to impatience, as his attorney negotiated a-okay plea agreement with the Extremely Attorney for the Western Limited of Pennsylvania's Office. He manifest to distributing 7, bongs title water pipes on the Www through Nice Dreams. Chong common to plead guilty to only count of conspiracy to dispense drug paraphernalia in exchange acknowledge non-prosecution of his wife, Shelby, and his son, Paris. Chong cooperated with the government soar was the first of say publicly Operation Pipe Dreams defendants skill plead guilty.^[30]

At Chong's sentencing, Visit U.S. Attorney for Western Colony Mary McKeen Houghton said essential her arguments that Tommy Chong "used his public image set about promote this crime" and marketed his products to children.^[31] U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan besides was present at the admonishment in Pittsburgh and released skilful statement to the press stating: "There are consequences for abusing the law, even if primacy violator is a well-known artiste like Thomas Chong."^[30]

While Chong argued for community service and dwelling detention at his sentencing, rectitude district judge, Arthur J. Schwab, denied his requests and sentenced him to 9 months answer federal prison, a fine mock $20,, forfeiture of $,, with the addition of the loss of all stock seized during the raid place his business.^[31] Chong served fulfil sentence at the Taft Punitive Institution from October 8, , to July 7, He was a cellmate of "The Shark casanova of Wall Street" Jordan Belfort, who credits him for inspiriting Belfort to write his journals. They have remained friends.^[32]

These anecdote were among those chronicled march in a/k/a Tommy Chong (), adroit documentary by Josh Gilbert. Lack of confusion premiered theatrically at the Another York Film Forum in Latest York City and won laurels. His time in prison was also a main point gratify his book, "The I Chong".

Controversy

While government officials denied make certain Chong was treated any contrarily from the other defendants, civic felt his celebrity status was being used against him. Chong's publicist Brandie Knight said distinction Chong family was shocked give up the raid. "We've done all things the right way, and primacy government is saying there in your right mind no right way," Knight said.^[33] Supporters started the "Free Man-at-arms Chong!" movement that called make his release. They questioned ground Chong was prosecuted rather fondle his son Paris Chong, who was CEO of the area of interest. They also pointed to justness disparity in sentences between Chong's and those of other defendants, and they protested the Structure tactics used in the investigation.^[30]

Paris Chong had started Nice Dreams in He was never supercharged with his crimes in coherence to the investigation, as break away of a plea bargain. While in the manner tha asked why the government difficult focused on Chong rather outshine his son the CEO, Divide Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan articulated that "Tommy Chong was distinction more responsible corporate officer considering he financed and marketed nobleness product."^[30]

Of the 55 people who were subjects of the dig up, Chong was the only unified without previous convictions who everyday jail time.^[30] When questioned take five the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Wave Beth Buchanan noted that Chong had never gone to fitting and made a plea lowprice. She said, "He was uncluttered relatively new player, but crystal-clear had the ability to be bought products like no other."^[34]

During sheltered investigation of Nice Dreams, yank agents posed as head-shop owners from Beaver County in hesperian Pennsylvania. They asked Paris Chong to sell them pipes chomp through the mail to a imaginary shop in the town rivalry Beaver Falls, 31 miles (50&#;km) from Pittsburgh. Paris Chong confidential been prohibited from selling add up Pittsburgh or anywhere in Fairy tale Pennsylvania because of the composition federal prosecution of Akhil Kumar Mishra and his wife, Rajeshwari, who had two head shops in the city.^[30] Accounts diversify as to who in Elegant Dreams went against Chong's crushing, or even if it esoteric been made up by blue blood the gentry defence, but the sales exact take place to the agents. This enabled the U.S. Counsellor to show jurisdiction in Colony for Chong's illegal activities, importation opposed to California, which was the base for Nice Dreams.^[30]

Aftermath

In December , Chong was visit appear in an off-Broadway put on an act entitled The Marijuana-Logues, a pockmark of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues. His parole officer obstructed him from the show playing field the tour was cancelled, trade in audience members were smoking to play with during performances. Such exposure would cause Chong to violate rectitude terms of his parole.^[35] Personal , Chong published a memoirs about his experiences in cell and his exploration of reflexion, called The I Chong: Meditations from the Joint.

In , Chong and Cyril Wecht comed at a Democratic Party fundraiser in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to incursion the campaign against Mary Beth Buchanan, the United States Legal adviser who prosecuted him. She was running as a Republican aspirant for the United States Abode of Representatives.^[36] She was licked in the Republican primary.

Seizure of a/k/a Tommy Chong DVDs

On May 7, , federal agents raided Spectrum Labs in mediocre investigation related to its "detoxification" products. The search was individual of nine conducted for Persist True Test, an investigation questionnaire led by Buchanan, still illustriousness U.S. Attorney for the Mystery District of Pennsylvania. It targeted companies that sold so-called "masking products," intended to help medicine users pass employer drug tests. No federal law bans specified products; they are regulated habitual a state-by-state basis. Of rank nine search warrants issued, bugger all was for businesses within Buchanan's district.^[37]

Chong claimed that federal agents had seized 8,–10, copies taste the yet-to-be released documentary, a/k/a Tommy Chong, from Spectrum Labs, but their attorney said inept DVDs were taken.^[37] In tidy press release, Chong said: "[The seizure of the DVDs is] a way to punish glory distributor financially. There's no disturb to get the DVDs assume until the investigation is over." Chong said he did fret have any ownership of decency film.^[38] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette afterwards amended its story, saying range an "undisclosed number of DVDs was taken". It noted position government is not required sort disclose a reason for interpretation seizure as the raid was part of "an ongoing investigation".^[37]

Reuniting with Cheech

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

In mid, Cheech & Chong reunited and started touring. The twine was called Light Up Ground and Canada and The Felimony Tour, which referred to bigger experiences of each. In Oct , they appeared on The Howard Stern Show, the Opie and Anthony Show, and glory Ron and Fez Show propensity SIRIUS/XM Satellite Radio. On Step 1, , they hosted WWE Raw in Oklahoma City. Straighten out March 13, , Cheech & Chong were guest stars show The Simpsons episode "A Midsummer's Nice Dream", where, during clean reunion tour, Homer briefly replaced Chong before the pair submissive.

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

Personal life

In , Chong married Maxine Sneed, the older sister of agent Floyd Sneed, in Canada. They raised two daughters, Rae Crack of dawn (b. ) and Robbi Chong (b. ). They divorced confine

In , Chong married Shelby Fiddis in Los Angeles. They had three children, including righteousness actor Precious Chong.^[39] They further adopted Marcus Wyatt (b. ) in Marcus took the first name of his adoptive parents impressive siblings when he turned 18.

In an interview, Tommy Chong shared that he smoked toy Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Treasonist Schwarzenegger, and his bodybuilding buddies, also with all the Beatles except Paul McCartney. He likewise calls George Harrison his dearie smoking friend.^[40]

Tommy Chong is trim marijuana activist and supports legalizing the plant's use.^[7] He task a regular contributor to Cannabis Culture Magazine and sits appreciate the NORML (National Organization in the direction of the Reform of Marijuana Laws) advisory board.^[41]

Cancer diagnosis

Chong announced persist June 9, , that fair enough was battling prostate cancer. Be active described the cancer "as a- slow stage one [that I've] had for a long time". He said that he locked away been drug free for fluke three years, during which over and over again he began having prostate-related problems.^[42] On June 16, , proceed said he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was "using cannabis like crazy" be acquainted with endure the treatment.^[43]

In , Chong announced that he is "cancer-free". He also opined that pitch could have been a generate of his condition.^[44]

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

External links