Thomas B. Kin Chong was born on 24 May 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, of Scots-Irish and French (mother) and Chinese (father) ancestry. Tommy is primarily a comedian, and came into prominence in 1970s by forming a duo with another comedian, Cheech Marin, calling themselves Cheech and Chong. They mostly performed during the 1970s and 1980s in films directed and produced by both of them, which emphasized the hippie era including drugs, especially cannabis. The albums they released were also based on the same topics. This comedy duo added a solid sum to Tommy Chong’s net worth.
So just how rich is Tommy Chong? Sources estimate that the popular Tommy has a net worth of $8 million, accumulated during his popular partnership with Cheech Marin, but also from his acting a several films, TV series and shows.
Tommy Chong Net Worth $8 Million
Tommy Chong’s mother, Lorna Jean (née Gilchrist) was a waitress, and his father was Stanley a truck driver who immigrated to Canada from China in the 1920s. The family moved to Calgary, but Tommy dropped-out of school at 16, as he was much more interested in playing the guitar, and in fact became a guitarist in the Canadian group “The Shades”. With another member, Bobby Taylor, Chong established a Vancouver night club in 1963. The band changed their name many times: they were “Little Daddy & The Bachelors”, “Four Niggers and a Chink”, until finally the group members found a compromise – “Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers”. Their debut single was “Does Your Mamma Know About Me” co-composed by Chong. In collaboration with Gordy Records, the band released several albums. Soon after, the band split up simply due to business reasons. The incomes increased Tommy Chong’s net worth though.
Tommy certainly managed to enlarge the total amount of his net worth with the successful activity of “Cheech & Chong” though, as they released several albums throughout their professional existence of more than 10 years, and two of them were nominated for Best Comedy Album Grammy Awards. “Cheech & Chong” split up in 1985 because of incompatible ideas in performing.
It is claimed that after this breaking up, Tommy had a difficult period in his life and, Tommy Chong’s net worth stopped growing. His recovery was marked by an American TV period sitcom “That `70s Show” released in 1998, wherein he appeared as the hippie Leo. Tommy also acted in “Dharma & Greg”, another popular TV serial of 1999s. The artist has performed in many movies too, including “Half Baked” (1998), “The Wash” (2001), and “Best Buds” (2003).
Tommy Chong added some revenues to his net worth by being a voice-over artist in “Scarface: “The Lion King” (1994), “The World Is Yours” (2006), and “Code Monkeys” (2008), among others.
The year of 2005 was important for Tommy since “a/k/a/ Tommy Chong”, a documentary about his personal life, appeared in the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2008, “Cheech & Chong” reunited temporarily for two tours: “The Felimony Tour” and “Light Up America and Canada”.
As can be seen, Tommy Chong has had a very busy and varied career in the entertainment industry, which is not over yet, despite ‘greatly exaggerated’ reports of his death from cancer recently, so his net worth may grow further!
Tommy Chong has two daughters with his first wife Maxine Sneed: married 1960-70. In 1975 Tommy married Shelby Fiddis, and they have welcomed three children as well as adopting one more. Some of his children are also realizing themselves in acting.
For the record, Tommy Chong was jailed for 9 months in 2000s for drug trafficking. Nowadays, however, he is also known as a strong supporter for the legalization of marijuana.
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”
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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