Cheech Marin

A paradox in the world of entertainment, Cheech Marin is an actor, director, writer, musician, art collector, humanitarian and a multi-generational talent. As Cheech himself jests, “people know me from the womb to the tomb." Widely acknowledged as a cultural icon, he is perhaps best known as one half of the hilariously irreverent, satirical, counterculture comedy duo Cheech and Chong.

In addition to a successful life in entertainment, Cheech is recognized today as a preeminent advocate for Chicano art. In the mid-1980s, he began developing what is now arguably the finest private collection of Chicano art. Much of it formed the core of his inaugural exhibition Chicano Visions: American Painters on the Verge, which broke attendance records during its groundbreaking 15‐city tour during 2001‐2007 to major U.S. art museums. He states, “Chicano art is American art. My goal is to bring the term ‘Chicano’ to the forefront of the art world.”

In addition to artwork loans to numerous institutions, his notable collection has been featured in over a dozen exhibitions organized and shown at more than 50 museums in the U.S. and Europe. Comprising mostly paintings, followed by drawings, prints, mixed-media artworks, sculptures and photography, his formerly private collection now serves as the core of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum, which opened in June 2022. A long-term goal of “The Cheech” is to supplement and expand the collection with Chicano artists, media, and subject matter not currently included through acquisitions and donations from artists and their estates, art collectors, dealers, and institutions.

Cheech was born Richard Anthony Marin in South Central Los Angeles and was an Angeleno until a move to Canada where he serendipitously met Tommy Chong. He moved back to Los Angeles with Chong and their comedy duo proved entertainment gold. Six of their albums went gold, four were nominated for Grammys, and their Los Cochinos won the 1973 Grammy for Best Comedy Recording. The critically acclaimed duo made a fluid transition to films, starring in eight features together. Their first -- "Up In Smoke" -- was the highest grossing comedy of 1978, topping $100 million at the box office.

During a split with Chong, Cheech wrote, directed, and starred in the comedy “Born in East L.A.” and went on to a fruitful acting career. To date, he has appeared in over 25 films, including his scene-stealing role as Kevin Costner's caddy in "Tin Cup" and eight of Robert Rodriguez's movies for which he played international characters. Recent films include the romantic comedy film with Jennifer Lopez called "Shotgun Wedding" (2023), "Champions" with Woody Harrelson, and "The Long Game," a golf period piece. Cheech has also had numerous roles in animated movies, including "Oliver & Company," "The Lion King" and "Cars."

Marin made his TV debut as a sitcom regular on “The Golden Palace,” before joining Don Johnson on the CBS drama “Nash Bridges" (and later, a reboot movie on the USA Network). He also appeared in “Lost” and “Jane the Virgin.” In 2022, he made guest appearances on the TV sitcoms “Home Economics” and “Lopez vs. Lopez.”

In 2008, the legendary Cheech & Chong reunited after 25 years apart and embarked on the “Light Up America” comedy tour. “It felt like it was part of our DNA, we were meant to be together,” said Cheech. They also shot a full-length live comedy film Hey Watch This in 2010. The pair followed with subsequent tours, satisfying audiences thirsty to see the pair together. They continue to perform together as their schedules allow.

Given his knowledge about cannabis, Cheech developed his own personal brand called Cheech’s Stash. Along with daughter Jasmine Marin and son Joey Marin, Cheech personally selects strains and works with master growers to sustainably produce an all-natural selection of quality cannabis products, representative of over four decades of legendary experience.

Cheech’s memoir “Cheech is Not My Real Name…But Don’t Call Me Chong!” was published in 2017. He is also an author of children’s books such as “Cheech the School Bus Driver.” Marin splits his time between Pacific Palisades and Joshua Tree, California with his wife Natasha Marin, a classical pianist.

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