Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Categories: 1938 births | Chinese Canadians | Canadian actors | Naturalized citizens of the United States
Tommy Chong
Thomas Chong B. Kin (born May 24, 1938) is a Canadian-born actor and musician who is well-known for his stereotypical portrayals of hippie-era stoners. He is most widely known for his role as Anthony in the marijuana-themed Cheech and Chong comedy movies with Cheech Marin.
Before branching out into film, Chong was a guitarist and songwriter for Motown band Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers. Among his compositions for the group were "Does Your Mama Know About Me", which hit #29 on the US pop chart and #5 on the US R&B chart.
In the late 1980s, Chong became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
Chong was a recurring character and later a regular character as the hippie "Leo" during the second, third, and fourth seasons of That '70s Show.
In 2003, Chong was one of those targeted by two nationwide investigations code-named Operation Pipe Dreams and Operation Headhunter , which sought out businesses selling drug paraphernalia, mostly marijuana pipes. He was charged for his part in financing and promoting Chong Glass/Nice Dreams, a company started by his son Paris. Chong agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute drug paraphernalia in exchange for non-prosecution of his wife, Shelby, and his son. While most of the approximately 55 individuals charged as a result of the operations were sentenced to fines and home detentions, Chong was sentenced on September 11, 2003 to 9 months in a federal prison, forfeiture of $103,000, and a year of probation. While John Ashcroft's DOJ denied that Chong was treated any differently from the other defendants, many felt that he was made an example of by the government. Soon afterwards, marijuana advocates started the "Free Tommy Chong!" movement that calls for his release. Chong served his sentence from October 8, 2003 to July 7, 2004, and in December 2004 was to appear off-Broadway in a one-man show entitled "The Marijuana-Logues", a parody of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues.
Chong is the son of Stanley and Lorna Jean Chong, who are Chinese and Scotch-Irish respectively. He is the father of actress Rae Dawn Chong and actor Marcus Chong.
In 2005, Chong returned to his role as Leo on That '70s Show.
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