Cheech Marin

Children's Literature

This informative biography about Richard Marin portrays him as more than the hippie actor and comedian some people may recall. Today his fans recognize him as Joe, cop partner and friend of Don Johnson from Nash Bridges. Born of Mexican descent in 1946, he was given his nickname, Cheech, by an uncle when he was a baby. He is the oldest of four children and his father worked as a police officer; his mother was a nurturing homemaker. As a child he enjoyed music and found role models in baseball. His family taught him the importance of education and he attended college, leaving just eight credits short of an English degree. With the growing intensity of the Vietnam War, Cheech, opposing the war, moved to Canada. It was in Canada that he met Tommy Chong, forming a friendship and the legendary comedy team. This biography identifies the eight movies and four comedy albums Cheech and Chong produced before going their separate ways. Wanting to change his image, Cheech went on his own trying to break the barrier for Latinos in television. The book also includes unfamiliar facts about Cheech including his occasional return to music, his first love. He has released three educational/bilingual CDs for children. This factual biography was written based on personal interviews with Cheech and it has his approval. 2002, Mitchell Lane Publishing, $15.95. Ages 12 to 17. Reviewer: Michele Wilbur