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Cheech & Chong: The Unauthorized Autobiography
Dave's Not Here, ManBut America's favorite stoner comedian, Tommy Chong, is back and funnier than ever as he takes us on a nostalgic trip through his career with partner Richard "Cheech" Marin. Over the course of their decades-long partnership, Cheech and Chong performed to sold-out crowds across the country, made nine hit albums, starred in eight blockbuster movies, and created memorable and iconic characters that still resonate with fans today.
But the good life didn't just appear in a haze of smoke. It all started during the late 1960s in a strip club in the fragile heart of Vancouver's Chinatown, where Tommy was winding down his career as a Motown recording artist and starting an improv comedy troupe, and Cheech was a draft-dodging, pottery-throwing, underground music reviewer. Together they came to define the hippie-era counterculture, and theircelebrated movie debut, "Up in Smoke," remains one of the highest-grossing Warner Bros. films ever.
In his very own unauthorized autobiography, "New York Times" bestselling author and pop culture hero Chong reveals his unique relationship with Cheech and recalls the inspiration for their most beloved bits. He introduces famous guest stars like Peter Sellers, John Belushi, Jimi Hendrix, Dan Aykroyd, John Lennon, Diana Ross, and Jack Nicholson, and examines the influences that had the greatest impact on his comedy -- from R&B musicians and Redd Foxx to Lenny Bruce and (of course) marijuana. Finally, with keen insight and utter candor, he explores the rift that has separated the legendary comedy team for more than twenty years.
From pot smoking to politics to the universe at large, "Cheech & Chong: The Unauthorized Autobiography" is the closestyou'll ever get to sitting in a van made entirely of marijuana, trading stories with an unlikely legend, and feeling...well...funny.
But the good life didn't just appear in a haze of smoke. It all started during the late 1960s in a strip club in the fragile heart of Vancouver's Chinatown, where Tommy was winding down his career as a Motown recording artist and starting an improv comedy troupe, and Cheech was a draft-dodging, pottery-throwing, underground music reviewer. Together they came to define the hippie-era counterculture, and theircelebrated movie debut, "Up in Smoke," remains one of the highest-grossing Warner Bros. films ever.
In his very own unauthorized autobiography, "New York Times" bestselling author and pop culture hero Chong reveals his unique relationship with Cheech and recalls the inspiration for their most beloved bits. He introduces famous guest stars like Peter Sellers, John Belushi, Jimi Hendrix, Dan Aykroyd, John Lennon, Diana Ross, and Jack Nicholson, and examines the influences that had the greatest impact on his comedy -- from R&B musicians and Redd Foxx to Lenny Bruce and (of course) marijuana. Finally, with keen insight and utter candor, he explores the rift that has separated the legendary comedy team for more than twenty years.
From pot smoking to politics to the universe at large, "Cheech & Chong: The Unauthorized Autobiography" is the closestyou'll ever get to sitting in a van made entirely of marijuana, trading stories with an unlikely legend, and feeling...well...funny.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published August 12, 2008
18 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Tommy Chong
19 books25 followersThomas "Tommy" B. Kin Chong is a Canadian-American comedian, actor and musician who is well-known for his stereotypical portrayals of hippie-era stoners. He is most widely known for his role as Anthony Stoner in the marijuana-themed Cheech & Chong comedy movies with Cheech Marin. He played Leo Chingkwake on FOX's That '70s Show.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 31, 2011
Maybe I need to read more critically, but this is another book I enjoyed and read straight through. I have been a Cheech and Chong fan since I was young, 12-13, so in a sense I have been waiting some time for this book. Chong tells how the duo met and what his life was like before the Cheech and Chong machine. What was so interesting to me was what Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong did before comedy. I didn't know Chong played rhythm guitar in a R and B band for years before comedy. Chong did a solid job, but he rationalized a good portion of the book. I think he could have pissed off a lot more people. I get the sense that he wrote this book for his good friend Cheech in hopes that the duo would reunite. Guess what. It worked.
May 4, 2017
This one should be called CHONG: THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY because there ain't much Cheech Marin in it. In fact, more than a third of the book goes by before he even meets Cheech, so I hope you want to hear about Tommy Chong's cars, houses, bass players, girlfriends, kids' schools, etc. It's straight from the heart, but there are very few laughs for a book about a comedy duo.
August 6, 2008
I can't believe there are no comments on this great book yet. I just read the whole thing in nearly one sitting, it was such a page turner. Any Cheech and Chong fan will be highly entertained by Tommy Chong's fast-paced, informative and humorous writing style.
After I read Tommy Chong's "The I Chong" all I wanted was a more detailed look back on the comic genius lasting for decades that is the duo Cheech and Chong. And now here it is! the unauthorized autobiography!
The only things I disliked is that I felt it was a slightly biased towards Chong (well, of course, it's his autobiography!) but it seemed like Cheech didn't get enough credit... maybe that's how it really happened, but I always considered them equals. Well Cheech needs to write his own autobiography documenting the times a complement to Chong's.
And lastly I wish there had been some pictures! "The I Chong" had a picture section that greatly helped the readers see what things were like back then. This book dropped lots of names of people, places, and times that would have come alive all the more if we had a snapshot or two.
Overall, great read! I'd recommend it to anyone who loves movies, music, comedy, marijuana, the sixties and seventies, and Cheech and Chong!
After I read Tommy Chong's "The I Chong" all I wanted was a more detailed look back on the comic genius lasting for decades that is the duo Cheech and Chong. And now here it is! the unauthorized autobiography!
The only things I disliked is that I felt it was a slightly biased towards Chong (well, of course, it's his autobiography!) but it seemed like Cheech didn't get enough credit... maybe that's how it really happened, but I always considered them equals. Well Cheech needs to write his own autobiography documenting the times a complement to Chong's.
And lastly I wish there had been some pictures! "The I Chong" had a picture section that greatly helped the readers see what things were like back then. This book dropped lots of names of people, places, and times that would have come alive all the more if we had a snapshot or two.
Overall, great read! I'd recommend it to anyone who loves movies, music, comedy, marijuana, the sixties and seventies, and Cheech and Chong!
October 1, 2019
Pretty good book by Tommy Chong but needed a better title. Also it's a tad disorganized. The book was written before the duo reunited and while it's interesting what creative differences led to the split it makes the reader wonder certain things. Is Tommy the most unbiased teller of the story. It's clear he's trying but he sometimes takes unnecessary cheap shots at Cheech. Also, the book seems to go on more than half it's length talking about Tommy's musical career and nightclub owning life before C+C got together. He also seems to overrate their place in the comedy world. I mean they were popular and yes, historic but amongst the very best? That can be forgiven though because it's his view of what he feels is a major life accomplishment. Let's face it though, not all their movies are classics so I'm a little amazed when he waxes rhapsodic about "Cheech And Chong's Corsican Brothers" but then barely a blip talking about working with members of Monty Python in "Yellowbeard" or Martin Scorsese for "After Hours". I have to admit I was also expecting a book with Cheech's blessing post-reunion and not before reunion. A good read with some truly fascinating tidbits but uneven
July 5, 2012
I'd seen Cheech and Chong's movies when they first came out in the 1980s. They were funny in their day ... would they hold up today? So I was interested in reading about them.
The writing style is casual and conversational which I liked ... lots of F-sharps, etc., though. Not a big surprise, right?
Before I read his book, my impression of Tommy Chong was that of a laid-back likeable stoner. I can't say that I came away liking him as a person when I was finished. His story and experiences were interesting. But he's 70 years old now and at times came across as a dirty old man. Yuk. Other times I found him to be very arrogant and self-indulged.
So I would recommend this book if you were/are a Cheech and Chong fan.
The writing style is casual and conversational which I liked ... lots of F-sharps, etc., though. Not a big surprise, right?
Before I read his book, my impression of Tommy Chong was that of a laid-back likeable stoner. I can't say that I came away liking him as a person when I was finished. His story and experiences were interesting. But he's 70 years old now and at times came across as a dirty old man. Yuk. Other times I found him to be very arrogant and self-indulged.
So I would recommend this book if you were/are a Cheech and Chong fan.
May 19, 2012
This book took me completely by surprise and broke my heart. I had no idea Tommy and Richard had so many qualms with each other I thought they were true blue best friends. But I suppose thats acting. I wish I didnt read it so I could always think that they were friends that hardly argued.Very disappointed but the book was written extremely well. It was just sad.
March 6, 2020
This reads like a 10th grader wrote it, but still it is worth a (fast) read. Tommy Chong has lived a charmed (and not so charmed) life, & Cheech was just acting the whole time. It’s kinda sad, as Cheech went towards mainstream Hollywood acting & away from making people laugh WITH him (if you know what I mean). “Cheech’s not here (anymore), Man”...
November 17, 2020
An excellent journey through the lives and careers of Tommy Chong and Richard Marin, Cheech and Chong. Well-written and full of wonderful characters and anecdotes, this book will thrill and inform readers on the amazing lives these guys have led. For anyone interested in the stoner culture, or just decent comedy in general, this is a must-read.
November 3, 2008
Fun read, but I wish Chong had expounded on some of the stories. Maybe he doesn't remember it all! The beginning of the book blew my mind--I didn't know Chong had such an illustrious musical career before getting into comedy.
February 17, 2021
I bought this book at the very first Cheech and Chong reunion tour in Pittsburgh, (very appropriate). Tommy had just gotten out of jail for selling bongs, of all things. It was well written and since Tommy Chong has lived such a full and active life it makes for an interesting story.
December 25, 2008
It's self-aggrandizetastic!
June 1, 2018
Though it was repetitive, Tommy Chong's bio was still an entertaining read. I highly recommend The I Chong: Meditations from the joint, which included a lot of spirituality and was well written.
April 30, 2022
I am not that familiar with a lot of Cheech and Chong comedy albums though I have seen one or two of their movies.
A few years ago I read Cheech's autobiography. So when I saw Cheech & Chong: The unauthorized biography I wanted to read it. It made me laugh a lot. I particularly enjoyed reading about the making of the comedy duo's movies.
One fact that surprised me from the book was that Tommy was in a band before cheech and chong. Another fact that surprised was that for awhile he was married to Maxine and also had Shelby as his girlfriend.
This book lived up to what I hoped it would be. It was very entertaining and funny.
A few years ago I read Cheech's autobiography. So when I saw Cheech & Chong: The unauthorized biography I wanted to read it. It made me laugh a lot. I particularly enjoyed reading about the making of the comedy duo's movies.
One fact that surprised me from the book was that Tommy was in a band before cheech and chong. Another fact that surprised was that for awhile he was married to Maxine and also had Shelby as his girlfriend.
This book lived up to what I hoped it would be. It was very entertaining and funny.
May 14, 2025
this book was alright I love Tommy Chong. 4/5 for me
September 6, 2011
Cheech and Chong movies were as much a part of my journey through late adolescence as Billy Connolly, Monty Python, and trying to get a glimpse of Kelly Cooper's boob during sports. But it was always the hyper-active, fast-talking Cheech Marin who caught the attention. It wasn't until I saw him on That 70's show that I grew to appreciate Tommy Chong's slow-talking talent for spiralling absurdities and non-sequitors.
There's plenty in evidence here, as well as a refreshingly honest appraisal of his early, pre-C&C professional career. He gets a little hyperbolic and self-congratulatory when it comes to the duo's career and impact on later generations, but that is, perhaps, forgiveable when reflecting on a career as varied, and at times fraught, as his. His hurt and betrayal over the breakup of the act, and the dissolution of his friendship with Cheech, are clear, and at times, painful to read. Indeed, it's clear that the wounds still feel fresh despite the passage of time between those events and the writing of the book. But it's also at this point where the weakness of the book is most apparent-- Cheech does not come out of things well, and it's hard for me to believe that Chong comes out of things as blamelessly as he narrates. There's an unwillingness to blame himself, or examine his own role in the constant breakdown of marriages, friendships, and professional relationships that litter the narrative, that overshadows the story. In the end, this lack of self-honesty becomes the ghost aunt of the narrative-- overwhelming in its absence, and colouring the reader's perception of the whole by its own lack of colour.
Chong writes engagingly, and highlights others' personalities with an unflinching honesty, and the book is an entertaining and enjoyable read. But it ends up feeling like only a portion of the truth, and had we seen a concerted attempt to examine his own failings and contribution to his personal and professional failings, it could have been one of the best examples of autobiography I'd read in a long time.
There's plenty in evidence here, as well as a refreshingly honest appraisal of his early, pre-C&C professional career. He gets a little hyperbolic and self-congratulatory when it comes to the duo's career and impact on later generations, but that is, perhaps, forgiveable when reflecting on a career as varied, and at times fraught, as his. His hurt and betrayal over the breakup of the act, and the dissolution of his friendship with Cheech, are clear, and at times, painful to read. Indeed, it's clear that the wounds still feel fresh despite the passage of time between those events and the writing of the book. But it's also at this point where the weakness of the book is most apparent-- Cheech does not come out of things well, and it's hard for me to believe that Chong comes out of things as blamelessly as he narrates. There's an unwillingness to blame himself, or examine his own role in the constant breakdown of marriages, friendships, and professional relationships that litter the narrative, that overshadows the story. In the end, this lack of self-honesty becomes the ghost aunt of the narrative-- overwhelming in its absence, and colouring the reader's perception of the whole by its own lack of colour.
Chong writes engagingly, and highlights others' personalities with an unflinching honesty, and the book is an entertaining and enjoyable read. But it ends up feeling like only a portion of the truth, and had we seen a concerted attempt to examine his own failings and contribution to his personal and professional failings, it could have been one of the best examples of autobiography I'd read in a long time.
March 2, 2009
Honestly I don't really know what I was expecting here. Like many kids in the 70's I thought these guys were pretty funny and intend on tracking down Up In Smoke to see if it holds up someday. Still how pompous is Tommy Chong. How uninteresting is his story. How............... oh well you get the idea.
April 24, 2015
Really good, insightful and informative, and quite funny in places.
But it was a bit like it was written by a child, or a goldfish - the story flow jumped around all over the place, with proud sniggering at some of the antics they pulled off.
Still great, but it sort of played up to the cliches of stoner-lit.
But it was a bit like it was written by a child, or a goldfish - the story flow jumped around all over the place, with proud sniggering at some of the antics they pulled off.
Still great, but it sort of played up to the cliches of stoner-lit.
September 16, 2008
One of the most poorly written books I have ever read. While the stories in it might be sorta fun to read. Like any stoner, Chong can't quite give enough details to really make you give a shit. FAIL!
January 26, 2009
A good example of what happens when your wanting to read something that you don’t have to think about !
Want to read
August 25, 2016not on overdrive
Read
May 3, 2011Meh
March 26, 2017
I am so glad I read this book
I never knew Tommy started out in music. I would love to find some of his music. The whole book kept my interest throughout. The insider information of his life was fascinating.
I never knew Tommy started out in music. I would love to find some of his music. The whole book kept my interest throughout. The insider information of his life was fascinating.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews