Richard Anthony"Cheech"Marin(born July 13, 1946) is an American comedian, actor, musician, and activist. He gained recognition as part of the comedy actCheech & Chongduring the 1970s and early 1980s withTommy Chong,and asDon Johnson's partner, Insp. Joe Dominguez, onNash Bridges.He has also voiced characters in severalDisneyfilms, includingOliver & Company,The Lion King,The Lion King 1½,theCarsfranchise,Coco,andBeverly Hills Chihuahua.
Cheech Marin | |
---|---|
Birth name | Richard Anthony Marin |
Born | [1] Los Angeles,California,U.S. | July 13, 1946
Medium | Film,stand-up,television[2] |
Alma mater | California State University, Northridge(AB) |
Years active | 1971–present |
Genres | Character comedy,musical comedy,political satire,sketch comedy,stoner comedy |
Subject(s) | Latin American culture,drug culture,everyday life,recreational drug use |
Spouse | Darlene Morley
(m.1975;div.1984)Patti Heid
(m.1986;div.2009)Natasha Rubin (m.2009) |
Children | 3 |
Occupations |
|
Marin's trademark is his characters' strongChicanoaccents.[3][4]
Early life
editMarin was born on July 13, 1946, inSouth Los Angeles,California,toMexicanparents Elsa (néeMeza;1923–2010), a secretary, and Oscar Marin (1922–2015), a police officer for theLAPDandUS Navyveteran ofWorld War II.[5]Marin was born with acleft lip,which was surgically repaired. Marin identifies asChicano;he speaks someSpanishand often uses it in his movies.[3][4]
Marin's nickname "Cheech" is short for "chicharrón",friedpork rind,which is a popular snack and ingredient inLatin American cuisine.[6]In a 2017 NPR interview, Marin attributed the nickname to his uncle: "I came home from the hospital, I was like a couple of days old or something, my uncle came over and he looked in the crib and he said [in Spanish], 'Ay, parece un chicharrón.' Looks like a little chicharrón, you know?"[7]
In 1955, Marin and his family moved toGranada Hills, California,and he attended primary school at St. John Baptist de la Salle Catholic School. Marin then went to high school atBishop Alemany High School,during which he started to attend folk music events at theAsh GroveonMelrose Avenueas a teenager. Afterwards, he studied atCalifornia State University, Northridge(then known as San Fernando Valley State College), where he was a member ofPhi Sigma Kappa.[8]During his second semester at CSUN, he worked almost full-time at Nordskog Industries inVan Nuys,while enrolled more than full-time as a college student. It was also during this time that he was socially introduced to marijuana through his fraternity, a key feature in his later film career, in addition to becoming acquainted withTimothy Learyat aStudents for a Democratic Societycampus event, who would become a lifelong friend. Soon after graduating CSUN as an English major in 1968, he auditioned to sing forFrank Zappa's band,The Mothers of Invention.Not being offered the gig during his audition, a day later Marin moved toVancouver,British Columbia,in order toevade the draftduring theVietnam War.[9]Marin met his future comedic partner,Tommy Chong,inCalgary,Alberta.[10]
Career
editComedy albums and films
editAs a part of the highly successful comedy duoCheech & Chong,Marin participated in a number of comedy albums and feature film comedies in the 1970s and 1980s. Tommy Chong directed four of their films while co-writing and starring in all seven with Marin.
Later films and television work
editAfter Cheech & Chong disbanded in 1985, Marin starred in a number of films as a solo actor, most notablyBorn in East L.A.,which was also his directorial debut,The Shrimp on the Barbie,Tin Cup,andOnce Upon a Time in Mexico.He made a cameo appearance as a dockworker inGhostbusters II.In 2004, he made his second appearance as a policeman, as "Officer Salino" in the film adaptation of John Grisham's holiday novelSkipping Christmas,under the titleChristmas with the Kranks,starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. In 2009, Marin appeared as an auto mechanic inRace to Witch Mountain.In 2017, he played the voice of a Corrections Officer in thePixarfilmCoco.
Marin appeared in the Fox sitcomMarried... with Childrenas the voice of the Bundys'Briarddog, Buck; he voiced the character in three episodes:Look Who's Barking,Change for a BuckandAssault and Batteries.He made the transition to full-time television work when he co-starred on the short-livedThe Golden Girlsspin-offThe Golden Palace(1992–1993), and later withDon Johnson,Jaime P. Gomez,andYasmine Bleethin the police showNash Bridges(1996–2001), in which they played San Francisco police-detective partners. A movie of this series was rebooted in 2021.[11]In recent years he has been active in playing supporting roles in films and performingvoice oversfor animated features. After appearing in a supporting role inJudging Amy,playing an independently wealthylandscape designer,Marin starred in the CBS sitcomRob,withRob Schneider.
Marin is a frequent collaborator of the directorRobert Rodriguez,who has worked with Marin seven times; the last two installments of theMexicotrilogy,theSpy Kidstrilogy,From Dusk Till DawnandMachete.He provided his voice for severalDisneyanimated films, most notably Tito theChihuahuainOliver & Company(1988),BanzaithehyenainThe Lion King(1994), Ramone inCars(2006) and its sequelsCars 2(2011) andCars 3(2017). He also voiced Manuel in Disney'slive-action-animatedcomedy filmBeverly Hills Chihuahua(2008). Marin also played Pancho inThe Cisco Kid(1994), and reprised the Banzai role in the video gameKingdom Hearts II.
Cheech appears in several episodes of AMC'sLodge 49as El Confidente, a member of Lodge 55 in Mexico.[12][13]
Children's music albums and related works
editMarin has released two best-selling albums in the children's music genre,My Name is Cheech, the School Bus Driver(1992) andMy Name is Cheech, The School Bus Driver "Coast to Coast"(1997). Both albums were released bilingually. In July 2007, the bookCheech the School Bus Driverwas released, written by Marin, illustrated by Orlando L. Ramirez, and published byHarperCollins.
In 2005, Marin lent his voice to the animated children's seriesDora the Explorer.[14]He appeared in the episode "A Crown for King Juan el Bobo" as the Puerto Rican folk heroJuan Bobo.[15]
Additional television appearances
editIn late 2006, Marin participated inSimon Cowell'sCelebrity Duets,having sung withPeter Frampton,Randy Travis,Clint Black,Aaron Neville,andAl Jarreau.He was the fourth to be eliminated.
Marin had a recurring role in the hit television seriesLost,playing David Reyes,Hurley's father.
He was a co-host forWWE Rawon March 1, 2010, with his comedy partnerTommy Chong,inOklahoma City.
Marin also sings on the hidden track "Earache My Eye"onKorn's albumFollow the Leader.It is a cover of an original song by Cheech and Chong. The song is performed by a fictional singer named Alice Bowie, played by Marin, whose appearance consists of a tutu, a Disney mouse ear hat, nipple tassels, an eye mask and dress socks. This character is featured on the cover of Cheech and Chong's Wedding Album and the end of the duo's first film, Up In Smoke.
In 2009, he appeared in theHallmark ChannelmovieExpecting a Miracle.
On March 18, 2010, Marin beat journalistAnderson Cooperand actressAisha TyleronCelebrity Jeopardy!'s Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational. Cooper admitted he was "crushed" by Marin.[16]Marin also won his semifinal round early May but lost in the May 6–7 final toMichael McKean.He had previously won the firstCelebrity Jeopardy!tournament in 1992.[17]
In January 2012, he was one of eight celebrities participating in theFood Networkreality seriesRachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.He was eliminated in the third week of the competition.[18]
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & Industry
editMarin is an avid collector of Chicano art and started his collection in the 1980s. Two national touring exhibitions have featured works from his private collection. He feels that it's important to "use his celebrity status to call attention to what he saw as an under-appreciated and under-represented style of art".[19]In collaboration with the city ofRiverside, California,and theRiverside Art Museum,Marin establishedThe Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & Industry,in the City of Riverside, which opened June 18, 2022. Marin will be donating his collection of over 700 pieces of Chicano art, the largest collection of such art in the world.[20]The center will provide a location for the presentation and study of Chicano art, and is expected to draw international attention.[21][22]
Other interests
editHe is an avid golfer, although he initially disliked the sport until he co-starred[23]in the golf-themed comedyTin Cup.Marin also practices horse archery on a special course built on his private land.
On April 19, 2018, Cheech (as part of GLE Brands Inc) signed an agreement with Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corporation (CSE: CANN) to have exclusive rights to use cannabis and cannabis-related products utilizing the Private Stash brand throughout Canada for a period of 2 years, with the agreement automatically renewing for an additional year upon achieving various milestones.
In 2019, he was featured inThe Little Mermaid: An Immersive Live-to-Film Concert Experienceplaying the role ofChef Louisat theHollywood Bowl.
Personal life
editMarin was married in 1975 to Darlene Morley, who co-producedCheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothersand also played minor roles in earlier Cheech & Chong films under the name Rikki Marin. The couple had one child anddivorcedin 1984. Marin married artist Patti Heid in 1986; they had two children and have since divorced. Marin married his longtime girlfriend, Russian pianist Natasha Marin, on August 8, 2009, in a sunset ceremony at their home.
Marin resides inMalibu, California.[24]He is a fan of both theLos Angeles Rams[25]of the NFL, and theLos Angeles Dodgersof the MLB.[26]
Filmography
editFilm
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | Up in Smoke | Pedro de Pacas | |
1980 | Cheech and Chong's Next Movie | Cheech/Dwayne "Red" Mendoza | |
1981 | Nice Dreams | Cheech | |
1982 | Things Are Tough All Over | Cheech/Mr.Slyman/Narrator | |
1983 | Still Smokin' | Cheech | |
Yellowbeard | El Segundo | ||
1984 | Cannonball Run II | Tire Store Employee | |
Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers | Corsican Brother | ||
1985 | Get Out of My Room | Cheech/Ian Rotten | |
After Hours | Neil | ||
1986 | Charlie Barnett's Terms of Enrollment | Elvis Friend & Fan | |
Echo Park | Sid | ||
1987 | Born in East L.A. | Rudy Robles | Also director and writer |
Fatal Beauty | Bartender | ||
1988 | Mickey's 60th Birthday | Disney Janitor | |
Oliver & Company | Tito the Chihuahua (voice) | ||
1989 | Ghostbusters II | Dock Supervisor | |
Rude Awakening | Jesus Monteya | ||
Troop Beverly Hills | Himself | ||
1990 | Far Out Man | Cheech | |
The Shrimp on the Barbie | Carlos Munoz | ||
Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme | Carnival Barker | ||
1992 | Ferngully: The Last Rainforest | Stump (voice) | |
1994 | Charlie's Ghost Story | Coronado | |
The Magic of the Golden Bear: Goldy III | Master Borgia | ||
A Million to Juan | Shell Shock | ||
The Lion King | Banzai(voice) | ||
1995 | Desperado | Short Bartender | |
1996 | From Dusk till Dawn | Border Guard/Chet Pussy/Carlos | |
The Great White Hype | Julio Escobar | ||
Tin Cup | Romeo Posar | ||
1998 | Paulie | Ignacio | |
1999 | The Nuttiest Nutcracker | Mac (voice) | Direct-to-video |
2000 | See You in My Dreams | Estaban | |
Luminarias | Jesus | ||
Picking Up the Pieces | Mayor Machado | ||
2001 | Spy Kids | Felix Gumm The Fake Uncle | |
2002 | Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams | Cameo | |
Pinocchio | The Fox (voice) | ||
2003 | Masked and Anonymous | Prospero | |
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over | Felix Gumm The Fake Uncle | Cameo | |
Once Upon a Time in Mexico | Belini | ||
Good Boy! | The Henchmen (voice) | ||
2004 | The Lion King 1½ | Banzai (voice) | Direct-to-video |
Christmas with the Kranks | Officer Salino | ||
2005 | Sian Ka'an | Unknown role (voice) | |
Fall Down a School | Erick Matthew, 202, 26, 57, 211 Bus Motorists (voices) | ||
Underclassman | Captain Victor Delgado | ||
2006 | Cars | Ramone(voice) | |
Mater and the Ghostlight | Ramone (voice) | Short film | |
2007 | The Union: The Business Behind Getting High | Himself | |
Grindhouse | Padre Benicio Del Toro | ||
2008 | Beverly Hills Chihuahua | Manuel (voice) | |
2009 | Race to Witch Mountain | Eddie Cortez The Auto Mechanic | |
2010 | The Perfect Game | Padre Esteban | |
Tales from Earthsea | Hare (voice) | US version only | |
Machete | Padre Benicio Del Toro | Cheech also makes an appearance as the Padre in the (then) fictitiousMachetetrailer for the 2007Grindhousedouble feature. The trailer appears in the DVD for thePlanet Terrorportion ofGrindhouse. | |
2011 | Cars 2 | Ramone (voice) | |
Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil | Mad Hog (voice) | ||
2012 | El Santos vs. La Tetona Mendoza | Narrator, El Charro (voices) | (Spanish-language Mexican animated film)[27] |
Tad, The Lost Explorer | Freddy (voice) | US English dub | |
2013 | Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie | Cheech/Pedro de Pacas (voice) | |
2014 | The Book of Life | Pancho Rodriguez (voice) | |
2016 | El Americano: The Movie | Martin (voice) | [28] |
Dark Harvest | Ricardo[29] | ||
2017 | Cars 3 | Ramone (voice) | [30] |
Coco | Corrections Officer (voice) | ||
2019 | The Cheech: An American Icon's Crusade for the Chicano Art Movement | Himself | A documentary covering Marin's lifelong advocacy for Chicano art, and his efforts to developThe Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture and Industry. |
2020 | The War with Grandpa | Danny | |
2022 | Angry Neighbors | Hector | Voice only |
Shotgun Wedding | Robert | ||
2023 | Champions | Julio | |
The Long Game | Pollo |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | The Tracey Ullman Show | Azai | 1 episode |
1990 | Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme | Carnival Barker | |
1991 | Great Performances | El Cosmico | 1 episode |
1991–94 | Married... with Children | Buck's Voice | 3 episodes |
1992 | Ring of the Musketeers | Burt Aramis | |
1992–93 | The Golden Palace | Chuy Castillos | 24 episodes |
1993 | Tales from the Crypt | Dr. Beneloy | Episode: "Half-Way Horrible" |
1994 | The Cisco Kid | Pancho | |
Dream On | Waiter | 1 episode | |
Sesame Street | Genie | Episode 3259 | |
1995 | Santo Bugito | Lencho the Flea | Unknown episodes |
The Courtyard | Angel Steiner | ||
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Alberto (voice) | Episode: "Hansel and Gretel" | |
1996 | Latino Laugh Festival | Host | |
1996–98 | Tracey Takes On... | Carlos | 2 episodes |
1996–2001 | Nash Bridges | Inspector Joe Dominguez | Main cast; 120 episodes |
2000 | Funny Flubs & Screw-Ups V | Host | |
The 26th Annual People's Choice Awards | Host | ||
Resurrection Blvd. | Hector Archuletta | ||
South Park | Carlos Ramirez (voice) | Episode: "Cherokee Hair Tampons" | |
2003 | The Ortegas | Henny Ortega | Unaired TV series |
Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales | Himself | ||
George Lopez | Lalo | Episode: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Honey" | |
2004–05 | Judging Amy | Ignacio Messina | 20 episodes |
2005 | Dora the Explorer | KingJuan el Bobo(voice) | Episode: "A Crown for King Juan el Bobo" |
2007 | Storm Hawks | Cyclonian Pilot | |
2007–09 | Lost | David Reyes | 3 episodes |
2008 | Mind of Mencia | Gay man's father | |
2008 | Grey's Anatomy | Otis | Episode: "Where the Wild Things Are" |
2009 | MADtv | Himself | |
2009 | Outnumbered | Television film[31] | |
2009 | Expecting a Miracle | Father Arturo | Television film |
2010 | WWE Raw | Himself (Guest Host) | |
2011 | Off the Map | Papa | |
The Simpsons | Himself (voice) | Episode: "A Midsummer's Nice Dream" | |
Lopez Tonight | Himself | ||
2012 | American Dad! | Horatio (voice) | Episode: "Stanny Tendergrass" |
Psych | Deacon Jones | ||
Rob | Fernando | ||
Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off | Himself (celebrity contestant) | ||
2014 | Anger Management | Hector | |
2015 | Jane the Virgin | Edward | |
2017 | Disjointed | Cheech | Episode: "The Worst" |
2017–20 | Elena of Avalor | Quita Moz (voice) | |
2018 | Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy | Condor De Bogota | |
2018–19 | Lodge 49 | El Confidente | |
2020 | Broke | Don Dominguez | Episode: "The Test" |
2021 | Maya and the Three | Hura / Can / Teca (voice) | 5 episodes |
Bubble Guppies | Fogzilla (Voice) | Episode: "Fogzilla!" | |
Nash Bridges | Joe Dominguez | Television film | |
2022 | Home Economics | Roberto | Episodes: "Round-Trip Ticket SAN-OAK, $234", "Wedding Bouquet, $125" |
Cars on the Road | Ramone (voice) | Episode: "Dino Park" | |
2023 | Lopez vs Lopez | Carlos | Recurring Cast |
The Legend of Vox Machina | Trinket (voice) | Episode: "The Fey Realm" | |
The Muppets Mayhem | Himself | Episode: "Track 4: The Times They Are A-Changing" | |
2024 | Primos | Pop Ramirez (voice) | Recurring role |
TBA | The Eric Andre Show | Himself (guest) | Upcoming episode |
Video games
edit- Animated Storybook: The Lion King(1994) -Banzai(voice)
- Blazing Dragons(1996) - Sir George / Guido the Pizza Chef / Loudmouth Guard
- Kingdom Hearts II(2006) - Banzai (voice)
- Cars(2006) -Ramone
- Cars Mater-National Championship(2007) - Ramone
- Cars Race-O-Rama(2009) - Ramone
- Cars 2(2011) - Ramone
- Kinect Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure(2012) - Ramone
- Disney Infinity(2013) - Ramone
- Cars: Fast as Lightning(2014) - Ramone
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III(2024) - Cheech
Theme park attractions
edit- It's Tough to Be a Bug!(1998) - Chilic
- Radiator Springs Racers(2012) - Ramone
Discography
edit- Cheech and Chong(1971)
- Big Bambu(1972)
- Los Cochinos(1973), won Best Comedy Recording at the16th Annual Grammy Awards[32]
- Cheech & Chong's Wedding Album(1974)
- Sleeping Beauty(1976)
- Up in Smoke(1978)
- Let's Make a New Dope Deal(1980)
- Get Out Of My Room(1985)
- My Name Is Cheech the School Bus Driver(Released October 27, 1992)
- Follow the Leader(1998)
Books
edit- Marin, Cheech; Hassan, John (2017).Cheech Is Not My Real Name...But Don't Call Me Chong!.New York: Grand Central Publishing.ISBN9781455592340.OCLC974034992.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Dominguez, Robert (April 16, 1998)."Cheech Is Taking The High Road".Daily News.New York, NY. p. 49.RetrievedJanuary 21,2021.
- ^Marin, Richard (October 19, 2019)."The Call".The Moth.
- ^ab"What is a Chicano?".Cheech Marin.May 3, 2012.
- ^ab"Sophisticated and Naive: A Conversation with Cheech Marin | The Bend Magazine".thebendmag.January 11, 2018.
- ^Wedlan, Candace A. (May 10, 1999)."Whatever Works / CHEECH MARIN; A Comic Axed by His Own Club".Los Angeles Times.Southern California Living section, PART-E, page 1.Archivedfrom the original on March 14, 2017.RetrievedMarch 13,2017.(subscription required)
- ^"The Comedy Couch – Cheech Marin Interview".The Comedy Couch. July 10, 2006.RetrievedMarch 13,2017.
- ^"Cheech Marin On How His Famed Comic Collaboration Was Like Chicano Art".National Public Radio - Morning Edition. March 13, 2017.RetrievedMarch 13,2017.
- ^"Alum" Cheech "Marin and CSUN's Harry Gamboa Featured in French Art Exhibit".CSUN Today.June 30, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 28,2020.
- ^Marin, Cheech (2009).Greasy Love Songs(Media notes). Frank Zappa.Zappa Records.
- ^Volmers, Eric (January 24, 2016)."Tommy Chong Talks Comedy, Pot, Politics and His Days as aCalgary HeraldPaperboy ".Calgary Herald.RetrievedMarch 13,2017.
- ^Starr, Michael (November 23, 2021)."Don Johnson back after 20 years for 'Nash Bridges' reunion movie".New York Post.Archived fromthe originalon November 29, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 27,2024.
- ^Lodge 49
- ^Sepinwall, Alan(August 9, 2019)."'Lodge 49' Season 2 Review: And Now Our Moment of Zen ".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon May 7, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 27,2024.
- ^Nickelodeon. IMDb,A Crown for King Bobo.Aired October 23, 2005ArchivedMarch 14, 2014, at theWayback MachineRetrieved May 29, 2013
- ^IMDb, A Crown for King BoboRetrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^Steve Krakauer (March 19, 2010)."Another CNN Anchor Fails At Celebrity Jeopardy".Archived fromthe originalon May 25, 2010.
- ^"Cheech Marin DonatesJeopardy!Winnings to Charity ".Looktothestars.org. May 9, 2010.RetrievedNovember 5,2015.
- ^"Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off: New Show Premieres This Winter".Blog.foodnetwork. July 29, 2011.RetrievedNovember 5,2015.
- ^Allen, Mike (April 21, 2013)."In collection, W&L talk, Cheech Marin champions Chicano art".The Roanoke Times.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^Biography (ed.)."Cheech Marin Biography".The Biography website.A&E Television Networks. Archived fromthe originalon July 7, 2020.RetrievedJuly 13,2020.
- ^Miranda, Carolina A.(May 1, 2017)."Cheech Marin teams up with city of Riverside and Riverside Art Museum to develop Chicano art center".Los Angeles Times.Archived fromthe originalon June 9, 2020.RetrievedJune 9,2020.
- ^"Bank of America Invests $750,000 to Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art".Inland Empire Community News.December 22, 2019.RetrievedJune 10,2020.
- ^"Tin Cup".cheechmarin.August 6, 1996.RetrievedNovember 18,2020.
- ^"Limelight Listing – Cheech Marin's Malibu home".SFGate.June 3, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 6,2011.
- ^"Los Angeles Rams Release Strangely Awesome NFL Draft Hype Video Featuring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Diplo & Cheech".April 25, 2023.
- ^"CHEECH MARIN: BASEBALL GURU".August 5, 2008.
- ^AnimaWeb."Personajes".Santos vs. Tetona. Archived fromthe originalon November 20, 2012.RetrievedNovember 5,2015.
- ^Hopewell, John (May 20, 2014)."'El Americano 3D' Kicks Off Pre-Sales at Cannes (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety (magazine).RetrievedMay 21,2014.
- ^"Dark Harvest".IMDb.
- ^"Sneak peek: 'Cars 3' zooms ahead with new character Cruz Ramirez".USA Today.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (December 6, 2010)."Cheech Marin To Co-Star In 'Outnumbered' And Harry Hamlin To Recur On 'Army Wives'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJuly 7,2017.
- ^"Richard" Cheech "Marin".GRAMMY.November 19, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 28,2020.
External links
edit- Official website
- Cheech MarinatIMDb
- Cheech Marindiscography atDiscogs