Maxine Sneed is known by many people as the first wife of comedian and actor Tommy Chong. But she is also more than that. She worked as an editor, helped tell stories about Black radio and music, and raised two daughters who later became actresses.
Even if she is linked to a very famous man, Maxine has lived most of her life in a quiet and private way. Because of this, there is not a lot of public information about her. Still, the facts we do know show a strong woman who cared about her work, her culture, and her family.
Quick Bio
| Iteam | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maxine Sneed |
| Known for | First wife of comedian Tommy Chong, former editor of Black Radio Magazine |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnic roots reported | Afro Canadian and Cherokee background |
| Profession | Editor, publisher, journalist |
| Famous family | Ex husband Tommy Chong, daughters Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong |
| Marriage to Chong | Married in 1960, divorced in 1970 |
| Children | 2 daughters Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong |
| Public image | Very private, rarely gives interviews |
Many of these facts come from reports about Tommy Chong and from profiles of their daughter Rae Dawn, which mention Maxine as her mother and describe her background.
Early Life and Background
Public records do not give many clear details about Maxine Sneed’s early life. Most reliable sources agree that she is Canadian and that she has Black Canadian roots, with some reports saying she also has Cherokee heritage.
Some modern celebrity websites try to give an exact birth date or age for her. They often say she was born in Canada around the 1940s and sometimes give a date like 23 September. However, these sites do not show strong original sources. Because of that, it is safer to say that her exact birth date is not confirmed in public records.
What is clear is that Maxine grew up in a time when opportunities for Black and Indigenous people in media were limited. Her later work in publishing and editing shows that she was able to move into a field where not many women of her background were visible.
Marriage to Tommy Chong
In 1960, Maxine Sneed married Tommy Chong in Canada. At that time, Chong was still finding his way in music and show business. He later became famous as half of the comedy duo Cheech and Chong, known for their stoner comedy films and albums.
During the 1960s, Maxine and Tommy built a family together. They had two daughters
- Rae Dawn Chong, born in 1961 in Edmonton, Alberta, who later became a successful actress
- Robbi Chong, born in 1965, who worked as a model and actress
Their marriage ended in divorce around 1970, after about ten years together. Even though the relationship ended, Maxine stayed an important figure in the lives of her daughters.
Some reports say there was a legal custody case around the time Rae Dawn was a baby and that custody was given to Maxine. Details of this case are not fully clear in public sources, but they suggest that Maxine was seen as a stable and caring parent.
Mother to Two Famous Daughters
One of the main reasons people search for Maxine Sneed today is her connection to her daughters, especially Rae Dawn Chong.
- Rae Dawn Chong became known for movies such as Quest for Fire, The Color Purple, Commando, and Soul Man
- Robbi Chong worked as a model and later moved into acting, appearing in films and television series
Articles about Rae Dawn explain that her mother Maxine is of Black Canadian descent and that this side of the family helped shape Rae’s identity.
While Tommy Chong often appears in interviews and on social media, Maxine does not. This suggests she chose a quieter life, away from the spotlight, even while raising children who would later become well known in the entertainment world. Many writers note that Maxine played a big role in giving her daughters stability and values while their father’s career was busy and sometimes wild.
Career as an Editor and Publisher
Maxine Sneed did not build her name only through marriage. She also worked in media. Several sources mention that she was an editor for Black Radio Magazine, a publication that focused on Black radio, music, and culture.
Black radio has been very important in North American media history. It helped bring Black music, news, and voices to a wide audience at a time when many mainstream stations ignored them.
While we do not have a full list of her articles, reports say that during her time at Black Radio Magazine, Maxine helped tell stories about Black announcers, musicians, and stations.
Writers who talk about her career say that
- She had a careful eye for detail
- She helped shape stories so that they showed the full value of Black radio
- She helped give space to voices that were often pushed to the side
Because she kept a low profile, we do not see many interviews or personal comments from Maxine herself. However, the consistent mention of her role as an editor shows that she was respected in that field.
Life After the Divorce
After her divorce from Tommy Chong around 1970, Maxine did not try to build a public image. Instead, she stayed in the background. Modern biographies often repeat the same few facts she worked as an editor, she raised her daughters, and she chose privacy.
Some websites like to talk about her height, weight, net worth, or religion. Many of these details are based on guesswork and are not backed by strong primary sources. Because of this, it is better to focus on facts we can check
- She is Canadian
- She has Black Canadian and reported Cherokee roots
- She is known as a former editor and as the first wife of Tommy Chong
- She helped raise two daughters who both entered the film and TV world
Most writers also agree that she values her privacy very highly. She does not seem to use public social media under her own name, and there are no recent verified interviews with her.
Why Maxine Sneed Still Matters
Maxine Sneed may not be a big celebrity, but her story connects to several important themes.
Women behind the scenes in media
As an editor of a magazine focused on Black radio, she helped shape how stories were told. Editors often do quiet but important work, and her role shows how Black women contributed to media history even when their names were not in big lights.
Black radio and representation
Black radio and related magazines helped share music, news, and ideas that mainstream outlets did not always respect. Maxine’s work added to this effort and helped highlight Black voices in radio.
Family and identity
Through her daughters, especially Rae Dawn Chong, Maxine’s background continues to shape stories in Hollywood and beyond. When Rae talks about her Black Canadian mother, she is also pointing to Maxine’s role in her life and identity.
Privacy in a public world
Many people linked to famous stars choose to live in the spotlight. Maxine chose the opposite. Her life reminds us that not everyone close to a celebrity wants attention. Some prefer a calm, private life.
Conclusion
Maxine Sneed may not be a well known public figure, but her life shows the power of working quietly and with purpose. She was an editor who helped share important stories, a mother who raised two daughters who became successful actresses, and a woman who chose privacy even when connected to fame. Her story reminds us that strong influence does not always need attention or spotlight. Maxine’s life, work, and family continue to show the value of culture, identity, and calm strength.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Maxine Sneed
1. Who is Maxine Sneed
Maxine Sneed is a Canadian former editor and publisher. She is best known as the first wife of comedian and actor Tommy Chong and as the mother of actresses Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong.
2. What did Maxine Sneed do for a living
She worked as an editor and is often linked to Black Radio Magazine, a publication that covered Black radio and music.
3. When was Maxine Sneed married to Tommy Chong
Maxine married Tommy Chong in 1960 in Canada. Their marriage lasted about ten years, and they divorced around 1970.
4. How many children does she have
She has two daughters with Tommy Chong Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong. Both worked as actresses.
5. Is Maxine Sneed an actress
No. Maxine herself is not known as an actress. Her work was in editing and publishing. Her daughters are the ones who became actresses.
6. What is Maxine Sneed’s nationality
She is Canadian.
7. What is her ethnic background
Sources about her daughters say that Maxine has Black Canadian roots and some also mention Cherokee ancestry.
8. Is Maxine Sneed still alive
There is no strong public report that clearly confirms her current status. Because she lives very privately, most writers simply do not comment on this.
9. Why did she and Tommy Chong divorce
The exact reasons for their divorce have not been shared in detail. Some sources mention there was a custody case connected to Rae Dawn when she was a baby, but the full story of their breakup is not public.
10. Does Maxine Sneed use social media or give interviews
There are no verified social media accounts or recent interviews from Maxine Sneed. Most information about her comes from biographies of Tommy Chong and their daughters and from articles about her work in media.
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