Cheech Marin

Best known as one half of the hilariously, satirical, counter-culture, no-holds-barred duo of “Cheech and Chong,” Cheech Marin is a paradox in the world of entertainment. The recipient of the 1999 National Council of La Raza Kraft Foods Alma Community Service Award and the 2000 Imagen Foundation’s Creative Achievement Award, Marin is renowned for his three decades of work as a comedian, film actor, director, writer, musician, and actor.

A multi-generational star, Marin has done everything from co-starring in Nash Bridges to providing voices of “Banzai,” one of the dastardly hyenas in The Lion King, and the streetwise Chihuahua in Disney’s Oliver and Company. Marin is also quite popular for his work in children’s music, and in 1997 released his first bilingual children’s album, My Name is Cheech, The School Bus Driver—the year’s number-one selling children’s album in the country. As a result of the phenomenal success of this album, he is now preparing to release a second bilingual record titled, My Name is Cheech, The School Bus Driver - Coast to Coast.

Marin is a third-generation Mexican American who holds one of the world’s largest private collections of Chicano art. He is extremely passionate about the Chicano community and says of the Chicano exhibits, “It will be a rip-roaring party and everyone is invited.”