---
name: "Cheech Marin"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/cheech-marin"
fi1m_id: "cheech-marin"
imdb_id: "nm0001507"
tmdb_id: 11159
wikidata_id: "Q73007"
roles: ["Actor","Writer"]
born: "13 July 1946"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 66
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-23T04:05:35.494658+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Cheech Marin

## Identity

Cheech Marin

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/cheech-marin
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** cheech-marin
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001507
- **TMDB ID:** 11159
- **Wikidata ID:** Q73007
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheech_Marin, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73007, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001507/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11159

Actor and writer. Born 13 July 1946 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Writer
- **Born:** 13 July 1946, Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Active:** 1978–present
- **Also known as:** Richard 'Cheech' Marin, چیچ مارین, Чіч Марін, Річард Ентоні Марін, Richard Anthony Marin
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 11 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Robert Rodriguez](https://film.one/person/robert-rodriguez.md), [Tommy Chong](https://film.one/person/tommy-chong.md), [Antonio Banderas](https://film.one/person/antonio-banderas.md), [Jim Cox](https://film.one/person/jim-cox-71793.md), [Salma Hayek](https://film.one/person/salma-hayek-pinault.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 66, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 56 (1), 1980s 57 (5), 1990s 74 (3), 2000s 56 (1), 2010s 71 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 65 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 8 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Animation 5, Comedy 5, Family 5, Adventure 4, Drama 3, Action 2
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,545m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheech_Marin, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73007, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001507/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11159

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*From Dusk Till Dawn*](https://film.one/film/from-dusk-till-dawn.md) (75), [*FernGully: The Last Rainforest*](https://film.one/film/ferngully-the-last-rainforest.md) (64), [*Nice Dreams*](https://film.one/film/nice-dreams.md) (50)
- **Disney+:** [*The Lion King*](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king.md) (84), [*Oliver & Company*](https://film.one/film/oliver-and-company.md) (61)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*After Hours*](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md) (80)
- **Tubi:** [*Once Upon a Time in Mexico*](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-mexico.md) (56)
- **Pluto TV:** [*Up in Smoke*](https://film.one/film/up-in-smoke.md) (56)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Cheech Marin

> Cheech Marin carries the timing of stoner comedy into supporting parts and family animation without needing to dominate either. We rate the character work, though his familiar comic accent can make it too easy to overlook the acting.

In *The Lion King* (1994), Banzai gives us a useful way to listen to Cheech Marin at work. His comic timing gives a supporting character enough definition to register within an ensemble. We laughed at Banzai, and welcomed his contribution to the wit that keeps the film's heavier lessons bearable. Marin helps the comedy fit into a family drama with real feeling. It is a good use of an actor whose familiar voice can sometimes get more attention than the character.

His stoner-comedy persona took shape alongside Tommy Chong in *Up in Smoke* (1978). Marin frequently plays Chicano or Mexican-American characters, using a comic accent as a deliberate part of the performance. Taking that voice as evidence that he is simply being himself misses the work. In *Born in East L.A.* (1987), which he wrote and directed as well as starring in, he turned to satire about mistaken deportation and Chicano identity.

Robert Rodriguez puts that character work to practical use in *From Dusk Till Dawn* (1996), casting Marin as Border Guard, Chet Pussy and Carlos. The multiple casting suits his broad comedy and gives him more to do than serve as a familiar face. We find the hostage-taking more compelling than the second half, though Rodriguez keeps the violence inventive. George Clooney supplies the authority that keeps us watching through the excesses. Marin's contribution is smaller, but the contrast with *The Lion King* shows how useful his timing can be in films aimed at quite different audiences.

The voice work continued with Ramone in *Cars* (2006), while *Nash Bridges* (1996–2001) gave him the sustained role of Inspector Joe Dominguez. The risk is typecasting: a recognisable comic performer can be hired merely to remind us of something we already enjoyed. We rate Marin's character work, and would rather hear what he is doing with a part than congratulate ourselves for recognising him. Start with *The Lion King*; save *From Dusk Till Dawn* for an evening with a higher tolerance for excess.

## Biography

Cheech Marin is an American actor and comedian. Born Richard Anthony Marin on 13 July 1946 in Los Angeles, he rose to prominence in the 1970s and early 1980s as one half of the comedy duo Cheech & Chong alongside Tommy Chong.

He voiced Banzai in *The Lion King* (1994) and has provided voices for other Disney and Pixar productions including the *Cars* films, *Coco* (2017) and *Oliver & Company* (1988). Marin played Inspector Joe Dominguez opposite Don Johnson in the television series *Nash Bridges* (1996–2001) and appeared in films such as *From Dusk Till Dawn* (1996) and *Born in East L.A.* (1987), which he also wrote and directed.

*Sources: imdb.com, rottentomatoes.com, behindthevoiceactors.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Performed in (11) — the average rests on these

- *Cars 3* (2017), Fi1m 58, as Ramone (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md)
- *Coco* (2017), Fi1m 84, as Corrections Officer (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/coco.md)
- *Once Upon a Time in Mexico* (2003), Fi1m 56, as Belini — [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-mexico.md)
- *From Dusk Till Dawn* (1996), Fi1m 75, as Border Guard / Chet Pussy / Carlos — [page](https://film.one/film/from-dusk-till-dawn.md)
- *The Lion King* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Banzai (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king.md)
- *FernGully: The Last Rainforest* (1992), Fi1m 64, as Stump (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/ferngully-the-last-rainforest.md)
- *Ghostbusters II* (1989), Fi1m 60, as Dock Supervisor — [page](https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-ii.md)
- *Oliver & Company* (1988), Fi1m 61, as Tito (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/oliver-and-company.md)
- *After Hours* (1985), Fi1m 80, as Neil — [page](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md)
- *Nice Dreams* (1981), Fi1m 50, as Cheech — [page](https://film.one/film/nice-dreams.md)
- *Up in Smoke* (1978), Fi1m 56, as Pedro — [page](https://film.one/film/up-in-smoke.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Cannonball Run II* (1984), Fi1m 35, as Tire Store Employee (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/cannonball-run-ii.md)

## Complete filmography (136)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Campeón Gabacho* (2026), Actor
- *Radiator Springs Racers | Disneyland Resort* (2025), as Ramone (voice)
- *Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip* (2025), as Gil Morales
- *LEGO Pixar: BrickToons* (2024), series, as Ramone (voice)
- *Primos* (2024), series, as Pop Ramirez (voice)
- *The Long Game* (2024), as Pollo
- *The Muppets Mayhem* (2023), series, as Cheech Marin
- *Champions* (2023), as Julio
- *Shotgun Wedding* (2022), as Robert Rivera
- *Angry Neighbors* (2022), as Hector (voice)
- *Cars on the Road* (2022), series, as Ramone (voice)
- *Chibiverse* (2022), series, as Pop Ramirez (voice)
- *The Legend of Vox Machina* (2022), series, as Trinket (voice)
- *Nash Bridges* (2021), as Joe Dominguez
- *Maya and the Three* (2021), series, as Hura / Can (voice)
- *Home Economics* (2021), series, as Roberto
- *The War with Grandpa* (2020), as Danny
- *The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault* (2020), as (archive footage)
- *Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy* (2018), series, as Condor de Bogota
- *Lodge 49* (2018), series, Actor
- *Coco* (2017), as Corrections Officer (voice) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/coco.md)
- *Elena of Avalor: Realm of the Jaquins* (2017), as Quita Moz (voice)
- *Cars 3* (2017), as Ramone (voice) — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md)
- *Dark Harvest* (2016), as Ricardo
- *Americano* (2016), as Martin (voice)
- *Jane the Virgin* (2014), series, as Edward
- *The Book of Life* (2014), as Pancho Rodriguez (voice)
- *The Radiator Springs 500½* (2014), as Ramone (voice)
- *Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie!* (2013), as (voices) · Writer
- *Spinning* (2013), as Ramone (voice)
- *El Santos vs la Tetona Mendoza* (2012), as Narrador / El Charro (voice)
- *Anger Management* (2012), series, as Hector
- *¡Rob!* (2012), series, as Fernando
- *Cars 2* (2011), as Ramone (voice)
- *Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil* (2011), as Mad Hog (voice)
- *Bubble Guppies* (2011), series, as Fogzilla (voice)
- *Off the Map* (2011), series, as Papa Ucumari
- *Pure Country 2: The Gift* (2010), as Angel Pedro
- *Machete* (2010), as Padre Cortez
- *The Perfect Game* (2009), as Padre Estaban
- *Waking Sleeping Beauty* (2009), as Tito (voice) (archive footage)
- *Race to Witch Mountain* (2009), as Eddie
- *Expecting a Miracle* (2009), as Father Arturo
- *Beverly Hills Chihuahua* (2008), as Manuel (voice)
- *Free Radio* (2008), series, as Cheech Marin
- *Uncle P* (2007), as Juan
- *Planet Terror* (2007), as Priest
- *Grindhouse* (2007), as Padre (segment "Planet Terror")
- *Geared-Up* (2006), Actor
- *Mater and the Ghostlight* (2006), as Ramone (voice)
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Deacon Jones
- *Cars* (2006), as Ramone (voice)
- *Dizzy & Bop's Big Adventure: The Great Music Caper* (2006), as Dr. Hammer (voice)
- *Underclassman* (2005), as Captain Victor Delgado
- *Mind of Mencia* (2005), series, Actor
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Otis Sharon — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Horatio (voice)
- *Christmas with the Kranks* (2004), as Officer Salino
- *The Lion King 1½* (2004), as Banzai (voice)
- *Lost* (2004), series, as David Reyes — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/lost.md)
- *See You in My Dreams* (2004), as Esteban
- *Timon & Pumbaa's Virtual Safari 1.5* (2004), as Banzai (voice) (archive sound)
- *Good Boy!* (2003), as The Greater Dane's Henchman (voice)
- *Once Upon a Time in Mexico* (2003), as Belini — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-mexico.md)
- *Chavez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story* (2003), as Narrator
- *Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over* (2003), as Felix Gumm
- *Masked and Anonymous* (2003), as Prospero
- *Mike's Super Short Show* (2003), series, Actor
- *The Brothers Garcia: Mysteries of the Maya* (2003), as Don Cortez
- *This So-Called Disaster* (2003), as Esteban
- *Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams* (2002), as Felix Gumm
- *George Lopez* (2002), series, as Lalo
- *The Original Latin Kings of Comedy* (2002), Writer
- *Spy Kids* (2001), as Felix Gumm
- *Picking Up the Pieces* (2000), as Mayor Machado
- *Luminarias* (2000), Actor
- *The Nuttiest Nutcracker* (1999), as Mac (Voice)
- *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Ignacio Messina
- *The Venice Project* (1999), as Cheech Marin
- *Chato's Kitchen* (1999), Actor
- *Breakfast with Einstein* (1998), as Einstein (voice)
- *Paulie* (1998), as Ignacio
- *South Park* (1997), series, as Carlos Ramirez (voice)
- *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor
- *Tin Cup* (1996), as Romeo Posar
- *The Great White Hype* (1996), as Julio Escobar
- *Nash Bridges* (1996), series, as Joe Dominguez
- *From Dusk Till Dawn* (1996), as Border Guard / Chet Pussy / Carlos — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/from-dusk-till-dawn.md)
- *Charlie's Ghost Story* (1995), as Coronado
- *The Courtyard* (1995), as Angel Steiner
- *Desperado* (1995), as Short Bartender
- *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as Alberto (voice)
- *'Twas the Night Before Bumpy* (1995), as Juaquin Gusanito Sin Manos (voice)
- *Santo Bugito* (1995), series, as Lencho the Flea (voice)
- *The Magic of the Golden Bear: Goldy III* (1994), as Master Borgia
- *The Lion King* (1994), as Banzai (voice) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king.md)
- *A Million to Juan* (1994), as Shell Shock
- *The Cisco Kid* (1994), as Pancho
- *Ring of the Musketeers* (1992), series, as Burt Aramis
- *The Golden Palace* (1992), series, as Chuy Castillos
- *FernGully: The Last Rainforest* (1992), as Stump (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/ferngully-the-last-rainforest.md)
- *La Pastorela: The Shepherd's Tale* (1991), as El Cosmico
- *The Shrimp on the Barbie* (1990), as Carlos
- *Dream On* (1990), series, as Waiter
- *Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme* (1990), as Carnival Barker
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Cheech Marin (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Rude Awakening* (1989), as Jesús Monteya
- *Ghostbusters II* (1989), as Dock Supervisor — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-ii.md)
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Dr. Beneloy
- *Troop Beverly Hills* (1989), as Cheech Marin
- *Oliver & Company* (1988), as Tito (voice) — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/oliver-and-company.md)
- *Mickey's 60th Birthday* (1988), as Disneyland Janitor
- *Fatal Beauty* (1987), as Bartender
- *Born in East L.A.* (1987), as Rudy · Director, Writer
- *Married... with Children* (1987), series, as Buck the Dog (voice)
- *Charlie Barnett's Terms of Enrollment* (1986), as Elvis Friend & Fan
- *Echo Park* (1985), as Syd
- *Get Out of My Room* (1985), as Cheech · Writer, Director
- *After Hours* (1985), as Neil — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md)
- *Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers* (1984), as Corsican Brother · Writer
- *Cannonball Run II* (1984), as Tire Store Employee (uncredited) — Fi1m 35, [page](https://film.one/film/cannonball-run-ii.md)
- *Playboy Video Magazine, Volume 3* (1983), Actor
- *Yellowbeard* (1983), as El Segundo
- *Still Smokin* (1983), as Cheech · Writer
- *Things Are Tough All Over* (1982), as Cheech / Mr. Slyman · Writer
- *Elvira's Movie Macabre* (1981), series, as Devil
- *Nice Dreams* (1981), as Cheech · Writer — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/nice-dreams.md)
- *Cheech & Chong's Next Movie* (1980), as Cheech / Dwayne "Red" Mendoza · Writer
- *Up in Smoke* (1978), as Pedro · Writer — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/up-in-smoke.md)
- *Basketball Jones* (1974), Actor
- *Rollin' On The River* (1971), series, Actor
- *Coyote*, as Javier
- *Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie*, as Чич
- *Naya: Legend of the Golden Dolphin*, as Dude (voice)
- *La Venganza Rodríguez*, as Don Madrazo (voice)
- *Cars: Lightning Racers*, series, as Ramone (voice)

## Gallery

- ![Cheech Marin](https://film.one/media/person/83927/gallery-d998c79c30f7.jpg) Cheech Marin — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Cheech_Marin_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Cheech_Marin_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Actors Don Johnson and Cheech Marin of the 90's TV show Nash Bridges standing side by side. Series stars Don Johnson and Cheech Marin in Aquatic Park. Keywords:](https://film.one/media/person/83927/gallery-faa5a39d3ff3.jpg) Actors Don Johnson and Cheech Marin of the 90's TV show Nash Bridges standing side by side. Series stars Don Johnson and Cheech Marin in Aquatic Park. Keywords: — NPS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/1996-_The_CBS_television_show_NASH_BRIDGES_films_aboard_EUREKA_%28a95ef30c-155d-4519-3e5a-dac1397327db%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong at Universal Studios in Los Angeles on July 11, 1979](https://film.one/media/person/83927/gallery-4d62c79473cc.jpg) Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong at Universal Studios in Los Angeles on July 11, 1979 — Tony Barnard, Los Angeles Times, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/CheechChong1979.jpg/1280px-CheechChong1979.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong on the red carpet at the Big Screen Achievement Awards at the 2025 CinemaCon at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vega](https://film.one/media/person/83927/gallery-696bcd9b59a9.jpg) Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong on the red carpet at the Big Screen Achievement Awards at the 2025 CinemaCon at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vega — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Cheech_Marin_%26_Tommy_Chong_%2854460609252%29.jpg/1280px-Cheech_Marin_%26_Tommy_Chong_%2854460609252%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cheech Marin](https://film.one/media/person/83927/gallery-01fc3cb50bcc.jpg) Cheech Marin — Image via TMDB
- ![Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong on the red carpet at the Big Screen Achievement Awards at the 2025 CinemaCon at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vega](https://film.one/media/person/83927/gallery-0b72118a1b69.jpg) Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong on the red carpet at the Big Screen Achievement Awards at the 2025 CinemaCon at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vega — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Cheech_Marin_%26_Tommy_Chong_%2854460609317%29.jpg/1280px-Cheech_Marin_%26_Tommy_Chong_%2854460609317%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong on the red carpet at the Big Screen Achievement Awards at the 2025 CinemaCon at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vega](https://film.one/media/person/83927/gallery-81617a693431.jpg) Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong on the red carpet at the Big Screen Achievement Awards at the 2025 CinemaCon at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vega — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Cheech_Marin_%26_Tommy_Chong_%2854461448781%29.jpg/1280px-Cheech_Marin_%26_Tommy_Chong_%2854461448781%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/cheech-marin