Stand-up, actor, and writer Cheech Marin is a veteran of Hollywood and the LA comedy scene, and one half of legendary duo Cheech & Chong. Today, he is especially known for his many acting roles on film and television, his extensive voice work, and his lasting five-decade influence on comedy and culture.
Marin first rose to prominence as a member of comedy double-act Cheech & Chong, after meeting fellow comedian Tommy Chong in the late 1960s. The pair became known for their stand-up routines, albums and film projects, which all featured elements of observational humour, stoner comedy and musical performance. They released several gold certified records, earned a Grammy Award for their work, and released several cult status films including Up in Smoke, Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie, And Nice Dreams.
From the mid-1980s, Marin worked predominantly as a solo artist, going on to appear in such films as The Shrimp on the Barbie and Born in East LA, and later starring in television series including The Golden Palace and Nash Bridges. He became particularly known for his collaborations with director Robert Rodriguez, including on the western Once Upon a Time in Mexico, the Spy Kids Trilogy, and action movie Machete, and also became a popular voice actor. Gaining roles in several Disney animated movies, he lent his voice to films including The Lion King, Pincocchio, Cars and Coco. In recent years, Marin has frequently worked with his former long-time collaborator Tommy Chong, including on Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie!, and appearing together on The Simpsons and at Cave-in-Rock’s Gathering of the Juggalos.