Cheech Marin

Born Richard Anthony Marin on July 13, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, to Oscar Marin, a police officer, and Ella, a secretary, he was one of four children. Growing up in various Los Angeles neighborhoods, including Granada Hills, Marin developed a distinctive gallows humor early in life, influenced by his observations of the city's grittier aspects. He avoided service in the Vietnam War by relocating to Canada, where in 1969, he joined the comedy troupe "City Works" in Vancouver. It was there he met Tommy Chong, a nightclub owner, and the two formed a comedic partnership. After moving back to Los Angeles in 1970, they refined their unique counter-culture act, achieving international success as "Cheech and Chong," releasing gold records, winning a Grammy Award, and starring in six films, including "Up in Smoke," "Nice Dreams," and "The Corsican Brothers."Following the dissolution of their comedy act in 1984 due to creative differences, Marin embarked on a successful acting career. He gained recognition for his voice work as Banzai the Hyena in Disney's "The Lion King" and for his role as the burrito man in the 1998 film "Paulie," also appearing in the popular television series "Nash Bridges" alongside Don Johnson. Marin's personal life includes a first marriage to Darlene Morely, which ended in divorce in 1984, and with whom he had a daughter, Carmen, born in 1980. He later married artist Patti Heid, and they have a son, Joey, born in 1986, and a daughter, Jasmine, born in 1993. Marin resides in San Francisco, where he is known for possessing one of the most extensive private collections of Chicano folk art.