Maxine Sneed is a Canadian former editor best known as the first wife of comedian, actor, and musician Tommy Chong. She helped raise two daughters, actresses Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong. Published reports say Maxine worked as a secretary and later as an editor at Black Radio Magazine.
Maxine and Tommy separated after a long relationship, but he has said that she continued helping him after their breakup. Maxine later moved away from public attention, and little is known about her life today.
Maxine Sneed’s Profile Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maxine Sneed |
| Birthday | September 23 |
| Birth year | Not publicly confirmed |
| Age | Not publicly known |
| Reported birthplace | Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Reported ancestry | Black/African-Canadian and Cherokee |
| Profession | Former editor; previously worked as a secretary |
| Known for | Being Tommy Chong’s first wife |
| Ex-husband | Tommy Chong |
| Marriage date | Sources disagree: 1960 or September 23, 1961 |
| Divorce | Sources disagree: 1970 or 1974 |
| Children she raised | Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong |
| Biological daughter | Robbi Chong |
| Reported workplace | Black Radio Magazine |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
| Current relationship | Not publicly confirmed |
How Old Is Maxine Sneed?
Maxine Sneed celebrates her birthday on September 23, according to published reports.
Her birth year has not been reliably confirmed. This means her exact age is not publicly known.
Some online biographies provide other personal details about her, but an exact date of birth should not be stated without stronger evidence.
Where Is Maxine Sneed From?
Maxine is reported to have been born in Canada and is Canadian.
Her exact city or province of birth is not publicly established.
Published biographies describe her as having Black or African-Canadian and Cherokee ancestry.
Early Life and Family
Little reliable information is available about Maxine’s childhood.
The names of her parents have not been publicly confirmed. Details about her education are also unavailable.
One family member mentioned in accounts of her relationship with Tommy Chong is her brother Bernie.
Bernie reportedly played in a band with Tommy. Maxine is said to have met Tommy through her brother.
Maxine Sneed’s Education
Maxine’s educational background is not publicly documented.
No reliable information identifies a school, college, university, degree, or professional qualification that she completed.
Maxine Sneed’s Career
Maxine worked outside the entertainment industry.
According to one account, she worked as a secretary at a large company after moving to Vancouver with Tommy Chong.
Other published biographies identify her as a former editor at Black Radio Magazine.
Detailed information about when she joined the magazine, how long she worked there, and her exact editorial responsibilities is not widely available.
Was Maxine Sneed an Actress?
Maxine Sneed is not known to have worked as an actress.
She does not have established movie or television acting credits.
Her former husband and the two daughters she helped raise became involved in entertainment, but Maxine followed a different professional path.
How Did Maxine Sneed Meet Tommy Chong?
Maxine reportedly met Tommy Chong through her brother Bernie, who was Tommy’s bandmate.
They began a relationship when they were young.
According to an account of Tommy’s early life, the couple temporarily broke up after Tommy became a truck driver.
Tommy then became involved with a young woman named Gail. He reportedly became engaged to her but later ended the relationship.
Gail became pregnant with Tommy’s daughter, Rae Dawn Chong.
Maxine later contacted Tommy and told him she was ready to marry him.
Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong’s Marriage
Published sources disagree about exactly when Maxine and Tommy married.
Some biographies give 1960 as their marriage year.
Another detailed account says they married in Calgary on September 23, 1961, which was Maxine’s birthday. That account also says Rae Dawn was present at the wedding.
After marrying, Maxine and Tommy reportedly moved to Vancouver.
Maxine found work as a secretary, while Tommy worked as a salesman for a family-owned bakery.
Because the available sources disagree, the exact marriage year should not be treated as settled.
Who Is Tommy Chong?
Tommy Chong is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, musician, writer, and activist.
His full name is Thomas B. Kin Chong. He was born on May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
He became widely known through his comedy partnership with Cheech Marin. Together, they formed Cheech & Chong, a comedy duo strongly associated with cannabis humor and counterculture.
Tommy also appeared in movies and television programs. Later audiences may know him for playing Leo on That ’70s Show.
His film work includes projects such as Nice Dreams and Things Are Tough All Over.
After his relationship with Maxine ended, Tommy married actress and comedian Shelby Chong in 1975.
The Story of Rae Dawn Chong’s Biological Mother
Rae Dawn Chong’s relationship with Maxine needs an important clarification.
Many short online biographies simply describe Rae Dawn as Maxine and Tommy’s daughter. However, Rae Dawn has reportedly explained that Maxine was not her biological mother.
Rae Dawn was born on February 28, 1961.
According to Rae Dawn’s reported account, her biological mother was a young woman who became pregnant while still a teenager. Other accounts identify her as Gail.
Rae said her biological mother’s own mother died when Rae was about three months old. Unable to care for her, the young mother placed Rae in an orphanage.
According to Rae, Tommy Chong’s mother later brought her into Tommy and Maxine’s family.
Maxine then raised Rae as her daughter. Rae has referred to Maxine as her mom.
It is therefore more accurate to say that Maxine raised Rae Dawn Chong as her daughter rather than claiming Maxine was her biological mother.
Rae Dawn Chong’s Career
Rae Dawn Chong became a successful actress.
She made an early film appearance in Stony Island and gained wider recognition through Quest for Fire.
Her performance in Quest for Fire earned her a Genie Award for Best Actress.
Her other reported credits include:
- Beat Street
- American Flyers
- The Color Purple
- Commando
- Soul Man
- The Principal
- Tales from the Darkside
- Time Runner
- Boulevard
She appeared in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple, which also featured Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Laurence Fishburne.
Maxine Sneed and Robbi Chong
Maxine and Tommy also raised Robbi Chong, who is presented in the available sources as their biological daughter.
However, there is a disagreement about Robbi’s birth year.
One source gives her birth date as May 28, 1963. Other biographies give May 28, 1965.
Her birthplace has been reported as Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Without stronger evidence, the conflicting birth year should not be presented as certain.
Robbi Chong’s Career
Robbi Chong became an actress and model.
She reportedly joined Click Modeling Agency when she was 19. She later worked internationally and modeled in Paris during the 1980s.
Robbi also studied acting in Los Angeles and worked on stage and screen.
Her reported credits include:
- Murder One
- Dave’s World
- You Bet Your Life
- The Cosby Show
- Shelter
- Far Out Man
- The Evil Inside Me
- Jimmy Hollywood
- Only God Can
Like Rae Dawn, Robbi chose an entertainment career.
Why Did Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong Separate?
Published accounts connect the breakdown of Maxine and Tommy’s marriage with Tommy’s relationship with Shelby.
According to one detailed account, Shelby lived near Maxine and Tommy after the family moved to another home. Tommy had reportedly met her before, and their families became friendly.
Tommy and Shelby later began an affair.
Shelby eventually became pregnant.
Maxine and Tommy separated, and Maxine reportedly moved with her daughters to Detroit.
The family later returned to Los Angeles, where Maxine and her daughters stayed at her brother’s home.
Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong Stayed With Maxine
One account says Tommy later moved to Los Angeles with Cheech Marin as they tried to develop their comedy career.
For a period, Tommy and Cheech reportedly stayed with Maxine and her daughters.
There was tension in the household, including disagreement over Tommy’s decision to pursue comedy.
Cheech eventually moved elsewhere.
Tommy and Cheech went on to become successful as the comedy duo Cheech & Chong.
When Did Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong Divorce?
The exact divorce year is disputed.
Some biographies say Maxine and Tommy divorced in 1970.
Another detailed account places their divorce in 1974.
The available sources therefore do not establish one divorce year with enough certainty to present it as undisputed.
Tommy married Shelby Chong in 1975.
Maxine Continued Helping Tommy After Their Breakup
According to Tommy’s reported account, Maxine continued helping him even after their relationship ended.
She reportedly gave him money when he was struggling financially.
She also lent him her car to help him with his career.
On another occasion, Maxine reportedly cared for Precious, Tommy and Shelby’s daughter, while Shelby was in the hospital.
Tommy has spoken warmly about Maxine because of this support. He called her a “saint” and described her as one of the most decent people he had known.
These descriptions reflect Tommy’s personal view of his former wife.
Are Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong Still Friends?
Published accounts say Maxine and Tommy remained friendly after their divorce.
They reportedly continued seeing each other occasionally at family gatherings and events.
However, there is limited recent public information about their current relationship.
Did Maxine Sneed Remarry?
There is no reliable public information showing that Maxine Sneed remarried after her divorce from Tommy Chong.
No current husband or partner has been publicly confirmed.
Maxine Sneed’s Net Worth
Maxine Sneed’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Some websites discuss Tommy Chong’s wealth while writing about Maxine, but his finances should not be treated as her personal net worth.
Without reliable information about Maxine’s assets, income, or finances, there is no dependable figure to report.
Where Is Maxine Sneed Now?
Maxine has maintained a private life for many years.
One secondary source lists Canada as her current residence, but her exact present location has not been reliably confirmed.
There is also little reliable recent information about her work or daily activities.
Is Maxine Sneed on Social Media?
No verified public Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, or other major social media account belonging to Maxine Sneed has been established.
Some photographs and information about her have appeared through her daughters and media reports.
Things to Know About Maxine Sneed
- Maxine Sneed is Canadian.
- Her birthday is reported as September 23.
- Her birth year and exact age are not publicly confirmed.
- She has been described as having Black/African-Canadian and Cherokee ancestry.
- She is best known as Tommy Chong’s first wife.
- She reportedly met Tommy through her brother Bernie.
- Published sources disagree on whether she married Tommy in 1960 or 1961.
- Maxine reportedly worked as a secretary after moving to Vancouver.
- She is widely reported to have later worked as an editor at Black Radio Magazine.
- Maxine helped raise Rae Dawn Chong as her daughter.
- Available accounts indicate that Maxine was not Rae Dawn’s biological mother.
- Robbi Chong is presented as Maxine and Tommy’s biological daughter.
- Both Rae Dawn and Robbi became actresses.
- Maxine did not pursue an acting career.
- Published sources disagree on whether Maxine and Tommy divorced in 1970 or 1974.
- Tommy has said Maxine continued helping him after their relationship ended.
- There is no publicly confirmed second husband or current partner.
- Maxine’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
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