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

Tommy Chong is an American actor of Canadian descent. He managed to build a brilliant career in film and on TV, having won world fame. Want to get more information about his person? Then we recommend you read 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 Olchster Scots. And Tommy's father, Stanley Chong, was a purebred Chinese. They fell in love at first sight.

The father of our hero worked as a truck driver. At the beginning of the Second World War, he was taken to the front. In connection with 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 the treatment, Father Tommy bought a small house on a "dog plot". In English it sounds like Dog Patch. A family of three lived for $ 50 a week.

Abilities

From an early age, Tommy was interested in music. One day the boy asked his parents to buy him a guitar. His desire was fulfilled. By the age of 11, Chong Jr. had mastered this musical instrument to perfection. 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 quit school. The guy decided to pursue the development of his musical career. He went to Vancouver. Tommy did not have any connections and 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 many songs for this group. Among them is the song "Does Your Mama Know About Me", which is included in the US pop charts.

Tommy Chong: movies

The first film with the participation of our hero came out in 1978. The film was called "Stoned". Tommy Chong played one of the main roles - Anthony. He has 100% coped with the tasks that the director has set for him. The film had such a great success that in the future it was removed a few more of its parts.

During his career, Tommy has appeared in more than 25 films. Let's list his most vivid and memorable works:

• "The Yellow Beard" (1983);
• "The Trap" (1989) - Merli Shain;
• "The Great Journey" (1995) - Red;
• "Fleet McHale (1997) - Armando / Ernesto;
• "Chance of the Chinese" (2008) - Deputy Tom;
• "Companions" (2011) - Judge Harper;
• "The story of Boardwock Hempayer" (2014) - plays itself.

Tommy Chong Has proved himself not only as a talented actor. He wrote the script for several films. In addition, his voice talking characters cartoon "Valley of Ferns" and computer game Scarface (The World Is Yours).

Personal life

Our hero was never a ladies' man and womanizer. From a young age he dreamed of a beautiful wife and a large family. As a result, God heard his prayers.

In 1975, Tommy Chong married his chosen one - Shelby. They were connected by love to each other and to music. His beloved wife gave Chong three sons and three daughters. All the children grew up in love and affection. Three of them (Ray Don, Marcus and Robbie) followed in the footsteps of his father.

In late 1980, Tommy received US citizenship. This he sought for several years.

Jail

Because of the addiction to marijuana, Tommy Chong had problems with American 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 again violates the law, then he faces a more severe punishment.

Finally

Biography and personal life of Tommy Chong were discussed in detail. For many people of our country, his name and surname will not say anything. But for Canadians and Americans, this person is a real legend.