Tommy Chong Biography: Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Books, Films, Songs, Children, Wife

Tommy Chong is a prominent Canadian-American Comedian, actor, musician, writer, and director.

He emerged as a prominent figure in the 1970s through his collaboration with Cheech Marin, forming the comedy duo Cheech & Chong.

Their style of humor, centered around counterculture and cannabis themes, resonated with a broad audience.

Their debut film, “Up in Smoke” (1978), achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $100 million, despite the duo receiving only $25,000 each due to a restrictive contract.

Profile

• Full name: Thomas B. Kin Chong
• Nickname: Tommy Chong
• Date of birth: May 24, 1938
• Age: 87 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• State of origin: Alberta
• Nationality: Canadian-American
• Profession: Comedian, actor, musician, writer, director
• Height: 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm)
• Parents: Stanley Chong (father), Lorna Jean Gilchrist (mother)
• Siblings: Stan Chong (brother)
• Spouse: Shelby Chong
• Children: Rae Dawn Chong, Robbi Chong, Precious Chong, Paris Chong, Gilbran Chong, Marcus Chong
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Chinese-Scottish-Irish
• Net worth: $20 million

Early Life and Education

Tommy Chong is now 87 years old. He was born on May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to Stanley Chong, a Chinese immigrant who worked as a truck driver, and Lorna Jean Gilchrist, of Scottish and Irish descent.

He has a brother named Stan. Chong spent his formative years in Calgary, Alberta, where he was exposed to a diverse cultural environment due to his mixed heritage.

During his teenage years, Chong developed an interest in music, particularly rhythm and blues. He dropped out of Crescent Heights High School and pursued a music career, eventually joining the band Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers as a guitarist.

The band achieved moderate success in the 1960s, with their single “Does Your Mama Know About Me” reaching number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Personal Life

Tommy Chong was first married to Maxine Sneed from 1960 to 1970, with whom he had two daughters, Rae Dawn and Robbi. In 1975, Chong married Shelby Fiddis, an actress and comedian.

Together, they have four children: Precious, Paris, Gilbran, and Marcus, the latter of whom was adopted. Shelby has been an integral part of Chong’s career, often collaborating with him on various projects and performances.

Career

Tommy Chong’s career began in the music industry as a guitarist for Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers. However, his partnership with Cheech Marin in the late 1960s marked a turning point.

The duo gained popularity with their stand-up routines, comedy albums, and films that humorously depicted the counterculture and cannabis use.

Their debut film, “Up in Smoke” (1978), became a cult classic, leading to several sequels and solidifying their place in comedy history.

Despite a split in the 1980s, Chong continued to work in entertainment, including a recurring role on the television series “That ’70s Show.” He also became an advocate for cannabis legalization, especially after serving a nine-month prison sentence in 2003 for selling drug paraphernalia.

Awards

• 1974: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album – “Los Cochinos”
• 1980: Juno Award for Comedy Album of the Year – “Cheech & Chong’s Wedding Album”
• 2013: High Times Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2014: Cannabis Culture Award
• 2015: Canadian Comedy Award for Best Writing in a Film – “Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie”

Net Worth

Tommy Chong’s net worth is estimated at $20 million. His wealth primarily stems from his work in comedy, music, and acting.

Controversy

Tommy Chong’s most notable controversy occurred in 2003 when he was arrested and sentenced to nine months in federal prison for distributing drug paraphernalia through his company, Nice Dreams Enterprises.

The operation, known as “Operation Pipe Dreams,” targeted businesses selling bongs and other items deemed illegal under federal law. Chong’s arrest sparked debates about the fairness of the operation, with many arguing that he was targeted due to his celebrity status and advocacy for cannabis legalization.

The case garnered significant media attention and led to the “Free Tommy Chong” movement, with supporters arguing that his sentence was disproportionate compared to others involved in similar activities.

Organizations like the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) highlighted the case as an example of the need for reform in drug laws.

Social Media

• Instagram: @heytommychong
• X: @tommychong

Filmography

• Up in Smoke (1978)
• Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie (1980)
• Pleasant Dreams (1981)
• Things Are Tough All Over (1982)
• Still Smokin (1983)
• Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers (1984)
• Far Out Man (1990)
• National Lampoon’s Senior Trip (1995)
• Half Baked (1998)
• Evil Bong (2006)
• Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie (2013)
• Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie (2025)

Discography

• Cheech and Chong (1971)
• Big Bambu (1972)
• Los Cochinos (1973)
• Cheech & Chong’s Wedding Album (1974)
• Sleeping Beauty (1976)
• Let’s Make a New Dope Deal (1980)
• Get Out of My Room (1985)
• Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie Soundtrack (2013)

Books

• The I Chong: Meditations from the Joint (2006)
• Cheech & Chong: The Unauthorized Autobiography (2008)
• Marijuana and the Law (2010)
• Cheech & Chong’s Chronicles: A History of Stoner Comedy (2015)
• The Chong Manifesto: Cannabis, Comedy, and Culture (2020)