Following his team up with Cheech Marin as a comedy duo, Tommy Chong became a recurring character on the sitcom That ‘70s Show.  He played the character Leo Chingkwake for a total of 41 episodes and served as an iconic figure of the stoner culture of the ‘70s.  As the hippie owner of the Foto Hut at which Steven Hyde worked, he frequently prioritized leisure over business.  Possibly because of his drug use, he had poor memory, was often dazed and confused yet maintained an easy-going attitude in all things.

After That ‘70s Show ended, Tommy Chong was cast as Jimbo Leary in the film Evil Bong.  Directed by Charles Band, the comedy-horror movie was about a mysterious bong that takes a smoker into a horrific world of strip dancers.  The movie also featured David Weidoff, John Patrick Jordan, and Mitch Eakins.

He resurfaced on television when he landed a guest role on the sitcom George Lopez where he appeared on the episode “George Joins the Neighborhood Wha-tcha and Raises the Vigil-ante” as Mr. Gutierrez.

Next month, the former That ‘70s Show actor will be featured in the action-drama movie Chinaman’s Chance.  The plot follows a Chinese immigrant railroad worker as he is falsely accused of murdering a white woman in the 1870s.  He plays the role of Deputy Tom, along with Reggie Lee as Sing, Timothy Bottoms as Thomas, and Jason Connery as Sam.

Also slated for release this year is the film American Drug War: The Last White Hope. Inspired by the death of four people from "legal drugs", the drug-war themed movie explores the world of drugs through gang members, narcotics officers, politicians, prisoners and celebrities.  Directed by Kevin Booth, the movie features Tommy Chong as a private prison prisoner, and Joe Rogan as himself, among others.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of Yahoo)