Thomas B. Kin "Tommy" Chong is a Canadian comedian, actor, writer, director, activist, and musician. He is well known for his marijuana-themed Cheech & Chong comedy albums and movies with Cheech Marin, as well as playing the character Leo on Fox's That '70s Show. He became a...
Rae Dawn Chong, Robbi Chong, Marcus Chong, Precious Chong, Paris Chong, Gilbran Chong
Parents
Lorna Jean Gilchrist, Stanley Chong
Nicknames
Thomas Chong B. Kin , Thomas B. Kin Chong , Chong , Thomas Chong , Tommy
Music Groups
Cheech & Chong (1970 – 1986), Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers
Nominations
Best Comedy Album Grammy Awards
Movies
www.9movies.tv/actors/Tommy+Chong.html
TV Shows
“That `70s Show”, “Cheech & Chong”
Star Sign
Gemini
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Quote
1
The trouble when you're doing something illegal is that you know what you're doing. You're lying to your parents, you're lying to your kids. The only person you can't lie to is yourself.
2
[on his mother] She really helped me. The thing about her, she was a white woman and she was married to my dad who was Chinese, and she said "Remember this: you're mixed so people are always going to look at you, they're going to notice you. So it's up to you how you conduct yourself, but you're going to be noticed."
3
I've met a lot of jazz musicians in my day, and they're all funny. Cannonball Adderley was a riot, Miles [Miles Davis] had the most dry sense of humor ever, always had something clever to say. I think what is is is jazz musicians - they're so careful about what notes they play, everything they do is to impress the listener. And that's what comedy is. Comedy is the ultimate truth. Jazz is hitting the notes that that no one else would hit, and comedy is saying words that no one else would say. And Gaye was the master. He was really just a special guy.
4
[on guitarist Gaye Delorme] When people used to see Coltrane play, sax players would run out of the clubs going 'I quit! I'll never play again! I can't take it!. On a quieter scale, that's exactly how Gaye mad me feel. He had a neat little trick. All good musicians do. He said, 'Can I sit in, and do you mind if if I can borrow your guitar?' And then he took the same instrument that I'd been struggling with and make it sound like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, all rolled in one.
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Fact
1
In federal prison in the 1990s, his cubemate - or "cubie" - was Jordan Belfort, who's life story is told in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). They've remained friends ever since.
Was considered for the role of Sheriff Leigh Brackett in Halloween (1978).
6
Has a webcast on youtube under the username citizenchong.
7
Shared the stage with Producer/Actor Anthony Begonia for an East Meets West event in Little Tokyo.
8
Originally considered for the part of Shenzi alongside Cheech Marin in The Lion King (1994). But the directors couldn't get hold of Chong, So the part went to Whoopi Goldberg.
9
The only person of the 55 arrested during the US Drug Enforcement Administration's "Operation Pipe Dreams" to serve time in prison.
10
True to his comedy image, Tommy and his family ran Nice Dreams Enterprises, an internet company that sells marijuana bongs and pipes. He was arrested in 2003 on federal drug paraphernalia charges and sentenced in September of that year. He will spend 9 months in jail and pay around $120,000 in fines.
11
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 104-105 (article "Cheech and Chong"). New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
12
His father, Stanley Chong, was a Chinese immigrant. His mother, Lorna Jean (Gilchrist), was of Scots-Irish ancestry.
13
Has two children with first wife Maxine Sneed: daughters Rae Dawn Chong (born in 1961) and Robbi Chong (born in 1965). He also has four children with second wife Shelby Chong: daughter Precious Chong (born in 1968, while he was still married to first wife Maxine), and sons Paris Chong (born in 1974), Marcus Chong (adopted in 1978), and Gilbran Chong (born in 1980).
14
Has a stand-up comic act with his wife, Shelby Chong. They frequently perform to sold-out crowds. [2001]
15
Former guitarist of the 1960s interracial sextet, 'Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers'. He also co-wrote the group's biggest hit, "Does Your Mama Know About Me".
16
The rumor of his death in the mid-1990s, (spread mainly through the internet) was greatly exaggerated.
TV Series documentary lyrics - 1 episode, 2014 performer - 1 episode, 2014
Todd's Pop Song Reviews
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2011 writer - 1 episode, 2011
Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon
2011
Documentary writer: "Does Your Mama Know About Me" - as Thomas Chong
Hey Watch This
2010
Video documentary performer: "Dumb Mother Fucker", "Born in East LA", "Mexican Americans/Beaners", "Up in Smoke" - uncredited / writer: "Dumb Mother Fucker", "Born in East LA", "Mexican Americans/Beaners", "Up in Smoke" - uncredited
Guitar Hero World Tour
2008
Video Game writer: "Freak On A Leash"
That '70s Show
2002
TV Series performer - 1 episode
CKY2K
2000
Video documentary writer: "Earache My Eye"
The Assault
1996
writer: "Don't Kick Her in the Butt"
Space Jam
1996
writer: "Basketball Jones" - as Thomas Chong
Senior Trip
1995
performer: "Earache My Eye" - as Chong / writer: "Earache My Eye" - as Thomas Chong
Soundgarden: Louder Than Live
1990
Video writer: "Big Bottom / Earache My Eye" Medley
Far Out Man
1990
performer: "Hippyland Rap" / producer: "Hippyland Rap" / writer: "Don't Kick Her in the Butt", "Black Man Blues", "Hippyland Rap", "I'm Black Again", "Far Out Man"
Things Are Tough All Over
1982
lyrics: "Chilly Winds of Chicago" ucnredited / music: "Chilly Winds of Chicago" ucnredited
Cheech and Chong's Next Movie
1980
performer: "Mexican Americans", "Beaners", "Baby What You Want Me to Do"
Being There
1979
performer: "Basketball Jones Featuring Tyrone Shoelaces" - as Chong / writer: "Basketball Jones Featuring Tyrone Shoelaces" - as Chong
Up in Smoke
1978
lyrics: "Up In Smoke", "Framed", "Searchin'", "Rock Fight", "I Didn't Know Your Name Was Alex" / music: "Up In Smoke", "I Didn't Know Your Name Was Alex" / performer: "Earache My Eye" / writer: "Earache My Eye"
California Split
1974
writer: "Basket Ball Jones" - uncredited
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie
2013
Just for Laughs
2010
TV Series 1 episode
Hey Watch This
2010
Video documentary
Far Out Man
1990
The Family Martinez
1986
TV Movie
Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers
1984
Still Smokin
1983
written by - as Thomas Chong
Things Are Tough All Over
1982
as Thomas Chong
Nice Dreams
1981
written by - as Thomas Chong
Cheech and Chong's Next Movie
1980
Up in Smoke
1978
writer
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Hey Watch This
2010
Video documentary executive producer
Trial and Error
1988
TV Series executive producer - 8 episodes
The Family Martinez
1986
TV Movie executive producer
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Still Smokin
1983
as Thomas Chong
Nice Dreams
1981
as Thomas Chong
Cheech and Chong's Next Movie
1980
Up in Smoke
1978
uncredited
Far Out Man
1990
Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers
1984
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Up in Smoke
1978
songs: New lyrics and Music and Lyrics for
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Black Velvet
2015
Documentary special thanks post-production
Lucky Schmucks
thanks for inspiration announced
Acid Head: The Buzzard Nuts County Slaughter
2011
special thanks
Monsterpiece Theatre Volume 1
2011
special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Pat Morita: Long Story Short
Documentary pre-production
Himself
The Playboy Morning Show
2015
TV Series
Himself
Almost Legal with Tommy Chong
2015
TV Series
Himself - Host
GGN: Snoop Dogg's Double G News Network
2015
TV Series
Himself
Inside Comedy
2015
TV Series
Himself
Tommy Chong's Unaired Lincoln Ad
2015
Video short
Himself
Lennon or McCartney
2014
Documentary short
Himself
Dancing with the Stars
2014
TV Series
Himself - Contestant
Getting Doug with High
2014
TV Series
Himself
Gotham Comedy Live
2014
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
Good Morning America
2014
TV Series
Himself - Guest
The View
2014
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Gone South: How Canada Invented Hollywood
2014
Documentary
Himself
Guys Choice Awards 2014
2014
TV Special
Himself
Tavis Smiley
2014
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Boardwalk Hempire: The Rise and Fall of the Medical Kush Beach Club
2014
Documentary
Tommy Chong
TakePart Live
2014
TV Series
Himself - Gawd
The Arsenio Hall Show
2014
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Tom Green Live
2014
TV Series
Himself
The 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
$8 Million
