Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong clash over their falling out in new documentary: ‘That's a lie'

New York Post

27-04-2025

Cheech vs. Chong.
Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong rehashed the rift that led to their 1985 breakup as a comedy duo in the new documentary film 'Cheech & Chong's Last Movie.'
In a present day scene, the pair discussed how Chong, 86, directed four of their films together. Chong told Marin, 78, that he 'never earned' being the director on their movies, according to People.
10 Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin at a screening for their new documentary in New York on April 24.
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10 Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong visit SiriusXM's 'The Wrap Up Show' on April 23.
Getty Images for SiriusXM
'You can't say say, 'Because I was there with the other that directed, I should be a director,'' Chong said to the fellow comedian in a car.
'Did I direct as much as you did in the movie?' Marin asked Chong.
'No. No, never,' Chong responded.
10 Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin in 'Up In Smoke' in 1978.
10 Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong at CinemaCon 2025.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
'See, that's a lie,' Marin said with a laugh.
When Chong questioned Marin's statement, Marin explained, 'Of course, it's a lie. I directed just as much as you did in the movie. You know, when we had to… This isn't really worth going into.'
The duo then sat in silence in the car.
10 Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin in 'Up In Smoke.'
Courtesy Everett Collection
Earlier in the documentary, Marin said in a current-day confessional that Chong's ego was 'always quite large.' Marin added, 'He got an ego out of proportion to his actual talent.'
Chong, meanwhile, said in a confessional that he was 'the star of all the movies' that he did with Marin.
10 Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin at the 'Cheech and Chong's Last Movie' screening in NYC.
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In an old clip, an interviewer asked the duo, 'Did you ever get on one another's nerves to the point that you get mad and don't speak for a while?'
'Not Cheech & Chong,' Marin replied.
But Chong, who was sitting beside Marin, nodded his head yes.
10 Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin introduce their documentary film at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on April 24.
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The stars created their first movie, 1978's 'Up in Smoke,' based on two popular characters from their stage act and albums, Pedro (Cheech) and Man (Chong).
They became stoner icons and released more films, before the tension in their relationship led to them breaking up as a comedy duo. They have reunited sporadically since their split.
10 Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin in 2008.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
10 Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong leaving 'The View' in New York on April 24.
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In 2017, Marin told The Post that he and Chong were on good terms again.
'When we first got back together, there was still a lot of animosity, and it persisted for a while. But eventually it kind of waned,' the 'Nash Bridges' star said. 'I think when health issues come into play, you do another assessment. He was sick for a while. He's fine now. But it took awhile to get there.'
10 Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong with the Career Achievement in Comedy award at CinemaCon.
REUTERS
When asked if they'll do another film together, Marin said, 'I don't think so, no. There's too many blocks to that. We're on the road all the time, playing casinos. We have been for eight years.'
'Cheech & Chong's Last Movie' is now playing in select theaters.