Tommy Chong is an American actor of Canadian descent. He managed to build a brilliant career in cinema and on TV, having won world fame. Want to get more information about his person? Then we recommend reading the article from the first to the last paragraph.
Biography: childhood
Our hero was born on May 24, 1938. His birthplace is the Canadian city of Edmonton. The future musician and actor was brought up in a family of immigrants. His mother, Lorna, came from the Ulster Scots. And Tommy's father, Stanley Chong, was a purebred Chinese. They fell in love at first sight.
Our hero’s father worked as a truck driver. At the beginning of World War II, he was taken to the front. Due to the wound, Stanley Chong was commissioned. The man was sent to a hospital located in the province of Calgary. He could not be separated from his son and wife for a long time, so he took them with him. After treatment, Father Tommy bought a small house on the "dog site". In English it sounds like Dog Patch. A family of three lived on $ 50 a week.
Abilities
From an early age, Tommy had an interest in music. Once a boy asked his parents to buy him a guitar. His wish was fulfilled. By the age of 11, Chung Jr. had mastered this musical instrument perfectly. He could play melodies of any complexity on the guitar. But most of all Tommy liked the country style. Then the boy switched to rhythm and blues.
Adulthood
As a teenager, Tommy Chong dropped out of school. The guy decided to start developing his musical career. He went to Vancouver. Tommy had no connections or relatives in this city. There he managed to become a member of the ensemble Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers. Our hero sang and played the guitar. The size of his fees increased day by day. Chong wrote a lot of songs for this group. Among them, one can distinguish the song “Does Your Mama Know About Me”, which was included in the US pop charts.
Tommy Chong: movies
The first film with the participation of our hero was released in 1978. The film was called Stoned. Tommy Chong played one of the main roles - Anthony. He is 100% coped with the tasks that the director set for him. The film was such a great success that several more parts of it were later shot.
During his career, Tommy has starred in more than 25 films. We list his most vivid and memorable works:
- The Yellow Beard (1983);
- The Trap (1989) - Merley Schein;
- The Big Journey (1995) - Red;
- “McHale's Fleet (1997) - Armando / Ernesto;
- “Chance of the Chinese” (2008) - Deputy Tom;
- Companions (2011) - Judge Harper;
- “The History of Boardwalk Hempayer” (2014) - plays himself.
Tommy Chong established himself not only as a talented actor. He wrote a screenplay for several films. In addition, the characters of the cartoon "Valley of Ferns" and the computer game Scarface (The World Is Yours) speak in his voice.
Personal life
Our hero has never been a womanizer and womanizer. From a young age, he dreamed of a beautiful wife and a large family. In the end, God heard his prayers.
In 1975, Tommy Chong married his chosen one - Shelby. They were connected by love for each other and for music. Beloved wife gave Chong three sons and three daughters. All children grew up in love and affection. Three of them (Ray Don, Marcus and Robbie) followed in the footsteps of their father.
In late 1980, Tommy received US citizenship. He achieved this for several years.
Jail
Because of his addiction to marijuana, Tommy Chong had problems with American law. In September 2003, a judge sentenced him to 9 months in prison. The wife and children of the actor were very worried about this. In July 2004, our hero was released. If he again breaks the law, then he faces a more severe punishment.
Finally
Tommy Chong's biography and personal life have been examined in detail by us. His name and surname will not say anything to many residents of our country. But for Canadians and Americans, this man is a true legend.