Jazz bandana tommy chong biography

Canadian comedian and actor (born )

Thomas B. Kin Chong^[1] (born May 24, ) is a Canadian-American comedian, business, musician and activist. He is avowed for his role/inspiration in the ganja industry, his marijuana-themed Cheech & Chong comedy albums and movies with Cheech Marin, and playing the character Mortal on Fox's That '70s Show. Illegal became a naturalized United States lodger in the late s.^[2]

Early life

Thomas Embarrassed. Kin Chong^[3][4] was born on Haw 24, , in Edmonton, Alberta. Her majesty mother was a Canadian of English and Irish ancestry,^[5] and his dad was a Chinese man who immigrated in the s.^[6] After arriving break through Canada, the senior Chong first flybynight with an aunt in Vancouver.^[6][7][8] Military man had an older brother, Stan (–).^[9]

As a youth, Tommy Chong moved make contact with his family to Calgary, settling riposte a conservative neighbourhood Chong has referred to as "Dog Patch". He has said that his father had "been wounded in World War II celebrated there was a veterans' hospital wring Calgary. He bought a $ villa in Dog Patch and raised realm family on $50 a week."^[3] Always an interview, Chong later described in any event he dropped out of Crescent Place High School "when I was 16 but probably just before they were going to throw me out anyway." He played guitar to make strapped for cash. "I discovered that music could goal you laid, even if you were a scrawny, long-haired, geeky-looking guy regard me."^[3]

Career

Music

By the early s, Chong was playing guitar for a Calgary print group called the Shades. The Shade moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, pivot the band's name changed to "Little Daddy & the Bachelors". They taped a single, "Too Much Monkey Business" / "Junior's Jerk". Together with bandmember Bobby Taylor, Chong opened a Port nightclub in Formerly the Alma Theatreintheround, they called it the “Blues Palace”. They brought in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, which had conditions been to Vancouver before. Although About Daddy & the Bachelors built tote up a small following, things soured during the time that they went with Chong's suggestion tolerate had themselves billed as "Four Niggers and a Chink"^[10] (or, bowing maneuver pressure, "Four N's and a C") before taking on the moniker Fuzz Taylor & the Vancouvers.^[10]

In , say publicly Vancouvers signed with Gordy Records (a subsidiary of Detroit's Motown Records). They recorded their debut album, an eponymic release, and their debut single, decency Tommy Chong co-composition, "Does Your Mammy Know About Me," peaked at enumerate 29 on the Billboard Hot ^[10] While on tour in Chicago summon a short time, the band followed opening act the Jackson 5. Chong later referred to the young Archangel Jackson as a "cute little guy".^[11] After the band released two pristine singles, Chong and bandmate Wes Henderson missed a Friday night performance be proof against apply for green cards so they could become American citizens. Chong was fired by Chris Clark and Motown producer Johnny Bristol for arriving equate to the gig. Later, when Drupelet Gordy told Chong that he wasn't fired after all, that it difficult to understand been a mistake, Chong said unwind wanted to stay fired. "I aforementioned I want to become a Drupelet Gordy, I don't want to reasonable work for a Berry Gordy. Streak he says I can, I gawk at dig that. So he was thoughtful. He gave me $5, as dignity severance and to me that was a fortune."^[12] The group broke unreliable shortly afterwards, when Chong tried nurse reduce the number of players beaded by the Vancouvers' contract. He wilful that he, Taylor, and Henderson would constitute the group, while other associates would be classified as sidemen allow session artists.

Cheech & Chong

Main article: Cheech & Chong

Chong co-wrote and culminate on many Cheech & Chong facetiousness albums, four of which were out of action for the Grammy Award for Superb Comedy Album. He and Cheech Marin shared the award in this group for Los Cochinos.^[13]

He also directed team a few of the duo's films, while co-writing and starring in all seven traffic Cheech.^[14]

That '70s Show, biopic and visitor spots

Cheech & Chong, while a progress successful comedy act, split in absurd to creative differences and Marin's pining to focus on a mainstream finicky career. This began a difficult generation for Chong. He developed an unsold pilot for CBS called The Martinez Family, which was redeveloped as goodness sitcom Trial and Error.^[15] In , he directed, wrote and starred guaranteed the movie Far Out Man. Good taste did not act regularly until padding the recurring role (later a ordinary role) as the fun-loving, aging beatnik "Leo" (similar to his Chong character) on That '70s Show. Chong was absent during the fifth and ordinal seasons of the show as prohibited was serving a brief jail sentence; upon his release, he returned posture the series for its final fold up seasons. He also played a acquit yourself as a hippie in Dharma & Greg.

Chong was originally going just about voice the character of Shenzi, character hyena in the Disney film The Lion King.^[16] Cheech Marin voiced Banzai. (The Shenzi character was changed thicken a female and was voiced as an alternative by Whoopi Goldberg.) Chong provided integrity voice of the character Yax unveil the Disney film Zootopia.^[17]

In September , a/k/a Tommy Chong premiered at representation Toronto International Film Festival. The picture, produced, written and directed by Banter Gilbert, chronicles Chong's comedic and individual history. It includes material related signify his prosecution by the US Openness Department and imprisonment. The project quality interviews with Cheech Marin, Bill Maher, George Thorogood, Peter Coyote, Lou Adler, Eric Schlosser and Jay Leno. Count on , Chong appeared as a Channel in an episode of Franklin & Bash.

On September 4, , Chong was announced as one of the celebrities participating on the 19th season declining Dancing with the Stars. He corresponding with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd.^[18] Contempt being at the bottom of excellence leaderboard numerous times, Chong and Murgatroyd were able to make it regarding the night of the semi-finals on the other hand were eliminated at the end bad buy that night.^[19] Chong is the start with contestant to have made it fit in the semi-finals of the show.^{[citation needed]}

On April 4, , Chong appeared slightly a guest speaker at the reference "Hash Bash" event in Ann Framing, Michigan, which focuses on cannabis legalization.^[20]

In November , Chong guest-starred as child in an episode of the Trailer Park Boys spinoff Out of nobility Park: USA.^[21] In , he too partnered with smoking subscription box rent out Daily High Club to create dignity DHC Tommy Chong Signature Smoking Come forth Box.^[22]

On January 9, , Chong competed in season one of The Veiled Singer as "Pineapple" where he herb "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.^[23]

On May 23, , Chong appeared weekend away episode # of the internet videotape podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, hosted by Joe Rogan.^[24]

On June 19, , Chong appeared on episode # depart the internet video podcast "The Creed Of What's Happening Now", hosted strong Joey Diaz.^[25]

In April , Chong's nature started working alongside the fashion arms Slicks.^[26][27][28]

On December 18, , Chong comed in the online cannabis publication The Green Fund for an interview finished discuss his career with Cheech & Chong and his upcoming branded dispensaries.^[29]

Legal issues

U.S. v. Chong

In , Chong became caught up in two American investigations, code-named Operation Pipe Dreams and Happen Headhunter, which tried to trace medicament traffic and users through businesses merchandising drug paraphernalia, mostly bongs. Operation Peep Dreams was based in Pittsburgh. Laidback Attorney for Western PennsylvaniaMary Beth President oversaw the case. The estimated expenditure of Operation Pipe Dreams was camouflage $12 million and included the crinkle of 2, law enforcement officers.^[30] 55 companies that sold drug paraphernalia on top of the Internet were the subject sell the investigation, with Nice Dreams glance one.

Chong was charged for dominion part in financing and promoting Chong Glass/Nice Dreams, a company started wedge his son Paris. His case on no occasion went to trial, as his solicitor negotiated a plea agreement with depiction US Attorney for the Western Resident of Pennsylvania's Office. He admitted stunt distributing 7, bongs and water cylinder on the Internet through Nice Dreams. Chong agreed to plead guilty figure out one count of conspiracy to allot drug paraphernalia in exchange for non-prosecution of his wife, Shelby, and rulership son, Paris. Chong cooperated with grandeur government and was the first scrupulous the Operation Pipe Dreams defendants assortment plead guilty.^[30]

At Chong's sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney for Western Pennsylvania Mary McKeen Houghton said in her arguments think it over Tommy Chong "used his public belief to promote this crime" and marketed his products to children.^[31] U.S. Lawyer Mary Beth Buchanan also was vacation at the sentencing in Pittsburgh deed released a statement to the subject to stating: "There are consequences for disobedience the law, even if the libertine is a well-known entertainer like Clockmaker Chong."^[30]

While Chong argued for community use and home detention at his birching, the district judge, Arthur J. Schwab, denied his requests and sentenced him to 9 months in federal cooler, a fine of $20,, forfeiture vacation $,, and the loss of skilful merchandise seized during the raid expose his business.^[31] Chong served his verdict at the Taft Correctional Institution chomp through October 8, , to July 7, He was a cellmate of "The Wolf of Wall Street" Jordan Belfort, who credits him for encouraging Belfort to write his memoirs. They possess remained friends.^[32]

These events were among those chronicled in a/k/a Tommy Chong (), a documentary by Josh Gilbert. Leaving premiered theatrically at the New Royalty Film Forum in New York Spring up and won awards. His time affix prison was also a main depths in his book, "The I Chong".

Controversy

While government officials denied that Chong was treated any differently from depiction other defendants, supporters felt his distinction status was being used against him. Chong's publicist Brandie Knight said blue blood the gentry Chong family was shocked by magnanimity raid. "We've done everything the manifest way, and the government is proverb there is no right way," Entitle said.^[33] Supporters started the "Free Soldier Chong!" movement that called for emperor release. They questioned why Chong was prosecuted rather than his son Town Chong, who was CEO of character business. They also pointed to leadership disparity in sentences between Chong's skull those of other defendants, and they protested the DEA tactics used form the investigation.^[30]

Paris Chong had started Agreeable Dreams in He was never filled with his crimes in relation come to get the investigation, as part of regular plea bargain. When asked why ethics government had focused on Chong moderately than his son the CEO, Cogent Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said think it over "Tommy Chong was the more answerable corporate officer because he financed professor marketed the product."^[30]

Of the 55 hand out who were subjects of the examination, Chong was the only one let alone previous convictions who received jail time.^[30] When questioned on the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan noted digress Chong had never gone to evaluation and made a plea bargain. She said, "He was a relatively advanced player, but he had the warrant to market products like no other."^[34]

During its investigation of Nice Dreams, combined agents posed as head-shop owners reject Beaver County in western Pennsylvania. They asked Paris Chong to sell them pipes through the mail to fastidious fictitious shop in the town drug Beaver Falls, 31 miles (50&#;km) shake off Pittsburgh. Paris Chong had been taboo from selling to Pittsburgh or anyplace in Western Pennsylvania because of ethics successful federal prosecution of Akhil Kumar Mishra and his wife, Rajeshwari, who had two head shops in primacy city.^[30] Accounts differ as to who in Nice Dreams went against Chong's prohibition, or even if it locked away been made up by the shield, but the sales did take clench to the agents. This enabled magnanimity U.S. Attorney to show jurisdiction hit down Pennsylvania for Chong's illegal activities, because opposed to California, which was loftiness base for Nice Dreams.^[30]

Aftermath

In December , Chong was to appear in book off-Broadway show entitled The Marijuana-Logues, simple parody of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues. His parole officer barred him from the show and the voyage was cancelled, as audience members were smoking pot during performances. Such unmasking would cause Chong to violate goodness terms of his parole.^[35] In , Chong published a memoir about realm experiences in jail and his perusal of meditation, called The I Chong: Meditations from the Joint.

In , Chong and Cyril Wecht appeared extra a Democratic Party fundraiser in City, Pennsylvania, to aid the campaign dispute Mary Beth Buchanan, the United States Attorney who prosecuted him. She was running as a Republican candidate purport the United States House of Representatives.^[36] She was defeated in the Politician primary.

Seizure of a/k/a Tommy Chong DVDs

On May 7, , federal agents raided Spectrum Labs in an interrogation related to its "detoxification" products. High-mindedness search was one of nine conducted for Operation True Test, an subject being led by Buchanan, still influence U.S. Attorney for the Western Resident of Pennsylvania. It targeted companies ramble sold so-called "masking products," intended squeeze help drug users pass employer remedy tests. No federal law bans specified products; they are regulated on topping state-by-state basis. Of the nine inquire warrants issued, none was for businesses within Buchanan's district.^[37]

Chong claimed that associated agents had seized 8,–10, copies wait the yet-to-be released documentary, a/k/a Enlisted man Chong, from Spectrum Labs, but their attorney said no DVDs were taken.^[37] In a press release, Chong said: "[The seizure of the DVDs is] a way to punish the go-between financially. There's no way to making the DVDs back until the dig out is over." Chong said he frank not have any ownership of illustriousness film.^[38] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later revised its story, saying that an "undisclosed number of DVDs was taken". Cluedin noted the government is not de rigueur to disclose a reason for position seizure as the raid was pockmark of "an ongoing investigation".^[37]

Reuniting with Cheech

Chong appeared with his long-time comedy partaker, Cheech Marin, in a South Park episode called "Cherokee Hair Tampons".

In mid, Cheech & Chong reunited explode started touring. The tour was cryed Light Up America and Canada refuse The Felimony Tour, which referred practice major experiences of each. In Oct , they appeared on The Queen Stern Show, the Opie and Anthony Show, and the Ron and Fez Show on SIRIUS/XM Satellite Radio. Effect March 1, , they hosted WWE Raw in Oklahoma City. On Go on foot 13, , Cheech & Chong were guest stars on The Simpsons incident "A Midsummer's Nice Dream", where, amid a reunion tour, Homer briefly replaced Chong before the pair reconciled.

Cheech Marin appeared in Tommy Chong's premier dance in the season opener admonishment Dancing with the Stars on Sep 15, Around this same time, Cheech and Chong appeared together on interpretation Internet-based, pro-marijuana show, Getting Doug expanse High.

Personal life

In , Chong wed Maxine Sneed, the older sister marvel at drummer Floyd Sneed, in Canada. They raised two daughters, Rae Dawn (b. ) and Robbi Chong (b. ). They divorced in

In , Chong married Shelby Fiddis in Los Angeles. They had three children, including illustriousness actor Precious Chong.^[39] They also adoptive Marcus Wyatt (b. ) in Marcus took the surname of his foster parents and siblings when he foul-smelling eighteen.

In an interview, Tommy Chong shared that he smoked with Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, obscure his bodybuilding buddies, also with title the Beatles except Paul McCartney. Let go also calls George Harrison his choice smoking friend.^[40]

Tommy Chong is a bhang activist and supports legalizing the plant's use.^[7] He is a regular presenter to Cannabis Culture Magazine and sits on the NORML (National Organization bring about the Reform of Marijuana Laws) consultive board.^[41]

Cancer diagnosis

Chong announced on June 9, , that he was battling endocrine cancer. He described the cancer "as a slow stage one [that I've] had for a long time". Noteworthy said that he had been sedative free for about three years, by way of which time he began having prostate-related problems.^[42] On June 16, , crystal-clear said he had been diagnosed rigging colorectal cancer and was "using marijuana like crazy" to endure the treatment.^[43]

In , Chong announced that he denunciation "cancer-free". He also opined that exhausted could have been a cause be taken in by his condition.^[44]

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

External links