Tommy Chong is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, musician, and activist who is best known for his role in the marijuana-themed comedy duo Cheech and Chong. He has also appeared in movies like Up in Smoke, Zootopia, and That ’70s Show. But how much is Tommy Chong’s net worth? And how did he make his fortune? Let’s find out.
Early Life and Music Career
Tommy Chong was born on May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His mother was a Canadian of Scottish and Irish ancestry, and his father was a Chinese immigrant who worked as a truck driver. Tommy grew up in a conservative neighborhood in Calgary, where he faced racism and discrimination. He dropped out of high school at age 16 and started playing guitar for a living.
He joined a soul band called The Shades, which later moved to Vancouver and changed its name to Little Daddy & The Bachelors. They recorded a single called “Too Much Monkey Business” and opened a nightclub called the Blues Palace. They also changed their name again to Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers, and signed with Motown Records in 1965. They had a hit single with “Does Your Mama Know About Me”, which peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, Tommy was fired from the band after missing a gig to apply for a green card.
Cheech and Chong
Tommy met Cheech Marin in Vancouver in the late 1960s. Marin had fled to Canada to avoid the Vietnam draft, and they bonded over their shared love of marijuana. They formed a comedy duo and started performing stand-up routines that spoofed hippie culture, drug use, and counterculture movements. They also released comedy albums that featured sketches, songs, and sound effects.
Their breakthrough came in 1978 when they released their first movie, Up in Smoke. The film was a low-budget stoner comedy that grossed over $44 million at the box office. It spawned several sequels, such as Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie, Nice Dreams, Things Are Tough All Over, Still Smokin’, and Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers. The duo became icons of cannabis culture and influenced many comedians and filmmakers.
However, by the mid-1980s, Cheech and Chong started to have creative differences and decided to pursue solo careers. They reunited in 2008 for a comedy tour called Light Up America, and have since appeared together in various projects.
Acting Career
Besides his work with Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong has also acted in many movies and TV shows. He played Leo, a hippie photo store owner, on That ’70s Show from 1999 to 2006. He also voiced Yax, a nudist yak, in the animated film Zootopia in 2016. He has also appeared in films like Half Baked, After Hours, McHale’s Navy, Evil Bong, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, and Color Out of Space.
He has also participated in reality shows like Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity Big Brother, Celebrity Wife Swap, The Masked Singer, and Trailer Park Boys: Out of the Park.
Cannabis Activism
Tommy Chong has been a vocal advocate for cannabis legalization and reform. He has launched his own brand of marijuana products called Chong’s Choice, which sells pre-rolled joints, edibles, oils, and accessories. He has also written books about his experiences with cannabis, such as The I Chong: Meditations from the Joint and Cheech & Chong: The Unauthorized Autobiography.
In 2003, Tommy was arrested as part of a federal crackdown on drug paraphernalia called Operation Pipe Dreams. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute drug paraphernalia and served nine months in prison. He later said that he was targeted because of his celebrity status and his political views. He also said that he met Jordan Belfort in prison, who inspired him to write his memoirs.
Tommy Chong Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Tommy Chong has an estimated net worth of $20 million as of 2021. He has earned his wealth from his comedy albums and films with Cheech Marin, his solo acting career, his cannabis business ventures, his book sales, and his appearances on various shows.
Tommy Chong is one of the most influential figures in comedy and cannabis culture. He has entertained millions of fans with his hilarious sketches and movies that celebrate marijuana use and lifestyle. He has also used his fame to raise awareness about the benefits of cannabis and the need for legal reform. He is a legend in his own right and a role model for many stoners around the world.