Marin's nickname 'Cheech' is short for ' chicharron', fried pork rind, which is a popular snack and ingredient in Latin American cuisine. Marin identifies as Chicano he speaks some Spanish and often uses it in his movies, but he is not fluent. Marin was born with a cleft lip, which was surgically repaired. Marin was born on July 13, 1946, in South Los Angeles, California, to Mexican parents Elsa (née Meza) (1923–2010), a secretary, and Oscar Marin (1922–2015), a police officer for the LAPD. Marin's trademark is his characters' strong Chicano accents, although Marin himself is not fluent in Spanish. He has also voiced characters in several Disney films, including Oliver & Company, The Lion King, the Cars series, Coco and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. He gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s with Tommy Chong and as Don Johnson's partner, Insp. Richard Anthony ' Cheech' Marin (born July 13, 1946) is an American comedian, actor, musician, and activist.