Co-Sponsors:
Cheech Marin
“An Interpretation of a Culture through Chicano Art”
Best known as one half of the hilarious counter-culture, no-holds-barred duo of “Cheech and Chong,” Cheech Marin is a paradox in the world of entertainment. As an actor, director, writer, musician, art collector, and humanitarian, he’s a man who has enough talent, humor, and intelligence to do just about anything.
Apart from his memorable 15-year movie partnership with Tommy Chong, Marin’s own film and television credits are numerous, with a recent television run on CBS’ Nash Bridges with Don Johnson and movie roles in Spy Kids, Tin Cup, Paulie, and Desperado to name a few.
For the past few years, Marin is finding a whole new audience through his Chicano art collection, which is one of the largest in the world. His collection forms the core of Chicano Visions: American Painters on the Verge, a traditional art exhibition, and is accompanied by Chicano Now: American Expressions, an interactive multimedia exhibition. In 2002, a coffee table book featuring highlights of his collection and exhibition was published.
Marin’s youngest fans know him because of his work in children’s music and animation. He provided the voice of Banzai in The Lion King, as well as the streetwise Chihuahua in Disney’s Oliver and Company. He also recorded two bilingual children’s albums, My Name is Cheech, The School Bus Driver and My Name is Cheech, The School Bus Driver—Coast to Coast.
Marin was the recipient of the 2000 Creative Achievement Award and the 1999 National Council of La Raza/Kraft Foods ALMA Community Service Award. When he is not working, Marin devotes time to organizations such as El Rescate and the Inner City Arts Council. From an offbeat perspective, Marin also has a line of three gourmet hot sauces.