In a twist of fate, the infamous Cheech and Chong found themselves displaced by the very element they are synonymous with—smoke. After the Palisades fire crept near their homes in Pacific Palisades, Tommy Chong humorously recounts his efforts to “de-smoke” his abode. Both houses survived the blaze, but the experience proved uprooting.
Roaming is a lifestyle choice for Richard “Cheech” Marin and Thomas “Tommy” Chong, forming the basis of their comedic history. Their new film, “Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie,” set to hit theaters this Friday, encapsulates their surreal escapades as they navigate the desert landscape in search of a place called The Joint.
Their partnership was as unexpected as their lives. Marin, the son of an LAPD officer from Watts, met Chong after avoiding the Vietnam War draft by escaping to Canada. The duo met through an improv group, sharing an instant and peculiar bond. “He’s the egg roll, I’m the taquito,” Marin quips, capturing their dynamic in a single sentence.
Once iconic figures of the counterculture, their live tours cemented them as legends—touring with the Rolling Stones and even having Bruce Springsteen open for them. Their film, “Up in Smoke,” propelled them into global stardom, marking them as quintessential stoner figures. “Our whole getting together was very auspicious,” Chong remarks, affirming an almost divine orchestration in their meeting. Marin humorously agrees, crediting divine intervention.
Despite their celebrated camaraderie, all was not always well between Marin and Chong. Disputes over creative credit led to their split in the 1980s, with the duo parting ways for two decades. During this hiatus, Chong spent nine months in prison due to charges related to illegal drug paraphernalia—a stint he surprisingly describes as a liberating period.
Against the odds, Cheech and Chong’s legacy endures as a formidable duo, drawing comparisons with Laurel and Hardy’s longevity and profitability. The ongoing legalization of marijuana has revitalized their relevance, with the duo leveraging their brand to promote a thriving weed business. Astonishingly, at 78 and 86 years of age respectively, they maintain their humor and enjoy the benefits of their longevity in the public eye.
As Chong suggests, steering clear of political discussions is prudent. “We’re very deportable,” he adds in jest, during a dialogue about their lives portrayed in the latest film. “I wish they had done even more on our early days,” Marin says, reminiscing about their origins. Chong elaborates on the precarious yet timely union of their partnership, framed by Marin’s stint in Canada under a friend’s identity to evade arrest.
Their comedic contributions are undeniable, having crafted an entire genre. Marin passionately believes they deserve a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Together they disrupted comedy paradigms, attracting an array of noteworthy acquaintances. Timothy Leary, the famed psychologist and writer, was a prominent figure in their circle, engaged in deep conversations about Earth’s future and cosmic escapism.
As attitudes and laws around cannabis evolve, Chong reflects on past injustices, the prejudice that was then mainstream but is now illegal. Age has tempered them; Chong acknowledges a need for grace and sensibility in their winter years, aware of the weight of words unconsidered.
The chemistry between them is evident, born from shared backgrounds and a common outsider’s perspective. Their seamless return to the stage after decades apart signifies the enduring power of their connection. Even though financial incentives began their reunion, their journey together transcends commercial motivations.
Remembered fondly from their stand-up and screen days, they candidly discuss their successes in the burgeoning cannabis industry—though not as lucrative as initially imagined, they remain optimistic.
Their latest project, dubbed as potentially their last film, defies the finality suggested by its title. Both acknowledge that the name may mislead—like Cher, whose farewell tours are yearly staples—with the possibility of future ventures always open. Nevertheless, remembering their legacy brings smiles, which, for Chong, is the perfect way to be remembered.