American actor and musician Tommy Chong: biography, creative activity and family

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Tommy Chong is an American actor of Canadian origin. He managed to build a brilliant career in film and TV, gaining worldwide 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 an immigrant family. His mother, Lorna, was of Ulster Scots descent. And Tommy's father, Stanley Chong, was a full-blooded 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. In connection with the injury, 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, Tommy's father bought a small house on the "dog lot". In English it sounds like Dog Patch. A family of three lived on $50 a week.

Abilities

Searly years Tommy had an interest in music. One day the boy asked his parents to buy him a guitar. His wish was granted. By the age of 11, Chong Jr. had mastered this musical instrument to perfection. On the guitar, he could play melodies of any complexity. But most of all Tommy liked country style. Then the boy switched to rhythm and blues.

Adult life

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 and relatives in this city. There he managed to become a member of the Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers ensemble. Our hero sang and played the guitar. The size of his fees increased day by day. Chong wrote quite a few songs for this group. Among them is the song "Does Your Mama Know About Me", which entered the US pop charts.

Tommy Chong Movies

The first film featuring our hero was released in 1978. The film was called "Stoned". Tommy Chong played one of the main roles - Anthony. He 100% coped with the tasks that the director set for him. The film was such a big success that several more parts of it were subsequently filmed.

Throughout his career, Tommy has appeared in more than 25 films. We list his most striking and memorable works:

• Yellowbeard (1983);
• "Trap" (1989) - Merli Shine;
• The Big Journey (1995) – Red;
• "McHale's Navy (1997) - Armando/Ernesto;
• "ChanceChinese” (2008) – MP Tom;
• "Companions" (2011) - Judge Harper;
• The Story of the Boardwalk Hempierre (2014) – plays himself.

Tommy Chong has established himself not only as a talented actor. He has written screenplays 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.

Private life

Our hero has never been a ladies' man and a 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 bound 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 their father's footsteps.

At the end of 1980, Tommy received US citizenship. This is what he has been striving for for several years.

Prison

Tommy Chong's addiction to marijuana got him in trouble with US law. In September 2003, the 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 breaks the law again, he will face a more severe punishment.

In conclusion

The biography and personal life of Tommy Chong were reviewed in detail by us. For many residents of our country, his name and surname will not say anything. But for Canadians and Americans, this man is a real legend.