26: Humble Beginnings & Racism Crime Victim to Hollywood Star // The Story of Tommy Chong
Background:
Grammy Award winning comedian Tommy Chong is legendary for his invaluable contribution to American counter-culture as part of the iconic comedy duo Cheech & Chong. During their reign, the twosome recorded six gold comedy albums, including the 1973 Grammy winner “Los Cochinos,” and starred in eight films, most of which Chong co-wrote and directed. The first, Up In Smoke, was the highest grossing comedy of 1978, topping $100 million at the box office. Others were Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie (1980), Nice Dreams (1981), Things Are Tough All Over (1982), Cheech and Chong: Still Smoking (1983), and The Corsican Brothers (1984).
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Tommy began his entertainment career as a musician in a Canadian-based rhythm and blues band. Eventually, he landed a gig with the “Vancouvers”” and co-wrote the band’s 1960’s hit, “Does Your Mama Know About Me.”” From here, Chong eventually turned towards the life as an actor. The first step was forming “City Works,” an improvisational group where he consequently met his future comedic partner, Richard “Cheech” Marin. Throughout the 1970’s Cheech & Chong earned a massive following until eventually, the duo had run its lengthy and prosperous course and they both embarked on solo careers.
Earlier this year, the highly anticipated, award winning documentary A/K/A Tommy Chong was released worldwide. The documentary features the journey that Chong took after a fully armed SWAT team raided the comedian’s home in February of 2003. Tommy Chong was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute drug paraphernalia through “Chong Glass,” a family business specializing in handmade glass water pipes, or “bongs.” Making history this year, Tommy Chong reunited with his old comedy partner, Richard “Cheech” Marin to announce their first tour in over 25 years with Shelby Chong opening the show. The “Cheech & Chong: Light Up America & Canada” tour has proven to be one of the most successful comedy tours of the year, selling out multiple shows from coast to coast.
Time-Stamped Show Notes:
- 4:18 Tommy shares a funny story about him and Larry King where he asked about Larry’s sex life.
- 8:23 Collecting a specific type of rock is one of Tommy’s hobbies. Tommy continues to talk about the spiritual world and being born into the physical world.
- 14:00 It was a tough childhood for Tommy back in Calgary.
- 17:24 When he was going to Sunday School, he tried looking for God.
- 20:48 At a young age, Tommy found out about life.
- 24:23 The topic of discussion turns to racism.
- 33:42 There were several rock-bottom moments for Tommy during his younger years.
- 37:28 When he and Cheech came together to become comedians, it was also a tough rock-bottom moment for Tommy.
- 43:43 Tommy offers very sound advice for people who are stuck in their rock-bottom moments.
- 45:19 He learned his formula for happiness through the life of British actor, Roy Doltrice.
- 50:13 One character trait of Tommy is that he could never turn down a request for help.
- 54:09 Opening for the Rolling Stones was one of Tommy’s high moments in life. Other rockin’ it moments for Tommy include playing with Hendrix and smoking with George Harrison.
- 1:01:38 Tommy blew Joe Rogan’s mind when he told Joe that we could be the only ones in this universe.
- 1:02:45 According to Tommy, people have misunderstood the Bible. He gives his own insight on one of Jesus’ famous teachings.
This Episode Brought to You By:
- 19:42 At 17, Eric thought he was going to jail for a long time but there were people who helped him get back up again. Please check out Eric’s book to know more about his whole story. You can visit his website and download a free copy of the intro and prologue at StandingSpot.com.
- 41:10 The Man, the Myth, the Canadian Legend: Eric Gilbert-Williams. Eric put together this very podcast as a passion project to help you & others. If you’d be so kind to Subscribe & Leave a Written Review of the show, it’d really make our day! You can Subscribe & Rate our Podcast right here: From Rock Bottom to Rockin’ It.
Key Points from the Interview:
- “When you’re in the moment, it’s hard to be unhappy. You’re only unhappy when you’re living in the future with your mind, you’re thinking of all the terrible things that could happen to you. Or you’re living in the past, in your mind your thinking of all the things that did happen to you. But when you’re in the present, it’s impossible to be sad or unhappy when your totally in the present.”
- “We’re all here to learn, we are all here on our own path. And the more you respect that, the happier you’ll be.”
