Tommy Chong Net Worth - Pulptastic

Publish date: 2024-05-25

What is Tommy Chong’s Net Worth?

Tommy Chong, a Canadian comedian, actor, musician and director, has a net worth of $20 million.

He has become a symbol of cannabis culture, building his career on his love for marijuana.

Chong is widely recognized for his work on the Cheech & Chong comedy albums and films, and has collaborated with Cheech Marin at various points throughout his career.

Early Life and Career

Thomas B. Kin Chong was born on May 24th, 1938 in Edmonton, Alberta to a Scottish-Irish mother and a Chinese-born father. He was raised in Calgary but dropped out of high school at age 16. Chong then pursued a career in music, playing the guitar to make a living. He later joked that it was also an effective way to “get laid.”

Tommy Chong’s Music Career

Tommy Chong played guitar for a band called the Shades and moved with the band to Vancouver. They released a few singles and opened a nightclub together. The band signed with Gordy Records in 1965 and released the successful single “Does Your Momma Know About Me,” which peaked at number 29 on the Billboard charts. The Vancouvers toured in Detroit and opened for the Jackson 5. However, after Tommy showed up late to a gig, he was fired by his managers. They later approached him and said it was a mistake, but Chong decided to leave the group. He accepted a $5,000 severance pay, and the Vancouvers disbanded shortly afterward.

Cheech and Chong’s Rise to Fame and Split

In the late 60s, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong bonded over their shared love for marijuana and formed a comedic duo. They released comedy albums and films, with their biggest success being the 1978 film Up in Smoke. However, their popularity declined in the early 80s with less successful films. They tried to distance themselves from stoner comedy with films like Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers but had limited success. Marin pursued a solo career as an actor, leading to the duo’s split in 1985 over creative differences. Chong directed four films and wrote or co-wrote almost all of them during their time together.

Tommy Chong’s Career Highlights

Tommy Chong pursued a solo career after Cheech Marin, which led him to develop a pilot for CBS called The Martinez Family. Later, he returned to acting in 1998 with a role in That 70s Show, which became one of his most recognizable roles. He also established himself as a voice actor and reunited with Cheech Marin in many projects before releasing Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie in 2014. Chong appeared on shows like Dancing with the Stars, Trailer Park Boys, The Masked Singer, and Franklin & Bash and released a documentary called a/k/a Tommy Chong.

Tommy Chong sentenced to 9 months in federal prison

As part of Operation Pipe Dream, Tommy Chong was accused of financing a company that sold bongs and other related paraphernalia. His lawyer helped him negotiate a plea deal. Although he was hoping for community service, the judge sentenced him to 9 months in federal prison and a series of fines.

While serving his prison sentence, Tommy Chong was the cellmate of Jordan Belfort (the real wolf of Wall Street).

Tommy Chong’s Health and Personal Life

Tommy Chong became an American citizen in the late 1980s. He has been diagnosed with both prostate and colorectal cancer, and he credits hemp oil and other medical marijuana treatments for helping him survive.

Tommy and Shelby Chong have been married since 1975.

Tommy Chong’s Real Estate Ventures

In 2019, Tommy Chong put his West Vancouver home up for sale. He and his wife had purchased the property in 1979 for $230,000 and were now selling it for $7 million. The property boasts stunning views of the Burrard inlet and has 4,000 square feet of living space on 10,000 square feet of land. Chong and his wife have lived in the Pacific Palisades in LA for the past few decades, with their home worth between $6-8 million.

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