Maxine Sneed, born September 23, 1940, is a Canadian editor and journalist of Afro-Canadian and Cherokee heritage.
She is best known as the first wife of comedian and actor Tommy Chong and the mother of actresses Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong.
Who is Maxine Sneed?
Maxine Sneed is a Canadian editor who built her professional career at Black Radio Magazine, a publication focused on celebrating Black voices in broadcasting.
Her name became widely known through her decade-long marriage to Tommy Chong, the iconic Canadian-American comedian and one half of the legendary comedy duo Cheech & Chong. Yet Sneed’s story extends well beyond her connection to Chong.
She raised two daughters who went on to successful entertainment careers. Her brother, Floyd Sneed, became the original drummer for the rock band Three Dog Night.
Maxine herself maintained a separate professional life throughout her marriage and long after her 1970 divorce. She has consistently chosen privacy over public attention.
After her divorce, Sneed stepped away from the media spotlight entirely. As of 2026, she lives quietly in Los Angeles and rarely makes public appearances.
Early Life of Maxine Sneed
Maxine Sneed grew up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the daughter of Napoleon Sneed and Willa Sneed.
Her family were among the early Black settlers in Alberta, descendants of communities rooted in Amber Valley. Her upbringing in Calgary was steeped in music and community.
Her parents were known musicians at their local church, and the Sneed household maintained strong ties to the arts. Her younger brother Floyd Sneed developed an early love of drums, and Maxine later gifted him his first drum kit.
That act of generosity helped set Floyd on a path to becoming the original drummer for Three Dog Night. Maxine came of age during a period of significant cultural change in North America.
Her Afro-Canadian and Cherokee heritage gave her a rich and layered identity. Growing up as part of a Black family in post-war Canada, she developed a strong sense of cultural awareness that later informed her work in media.
Her early interest in writing and editing shaped the professional path she would follow throughout her life.
Maxine Sneed Age
Maxine Sneed is 85 years old as of 2026, born on September 23, 1940. Her zodiac sign is Libra. Her long editorial career spanned several decades in the Canadian and American media landscape.
Maxine Sneed Ethnicity and Nationality
Maxine Sneed holds Canadian and American nationality. She is of Afro-Canadian and Cherokee descent, a heritage confirmed through multiple biographical sources and through her daughter Rae Dawn Chong’s own public statements about her family background.
Her mixed cultural background shaped her worldview and professional choices, particularly her commitment to amplifying Black voices in media.
Maxine Sneed Height and Weight
Maxine Sneed stands at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall. Her exact weight is not publicly confirmed, though sources have estimated it at around 60 kg (132 lbs) based on her general appearance.
She has been described by those who know her as elegant and composed in her bearing.
Maxine Sneed Education
Maxine Sneed completed her schooling in Calgary, where she showed an early aptitude for writing and communication.
She was drawn to journalism and editorial work from a young age, skills she would later apply professionally at Black Radio Magazine. Detailed records of her post-secondary education are not publicly confirmed.
Her career trajectory, however, points to a strong foundation in editorial skills and cultural journalism. She developed a reputation for precision, consistency, and thoughtful advocacy for underrepresented voices in media.
Maxine Sneed Career
Early Career
Maxine Sneed entered the media industry during the 1960s, a period when Black women in editorial roles were exceedingly rare in North America.
She pursued journalism and editing with quiet determination, building skills that would define her professional identity.
Her most documented role was as editor of Black Radio Magazine, a publication focused on Black broadcasting talent and the broader landscape of African-American radio.
Black Radio Magazine gave a platform to voices that mainstream media often overlooked.
In her editorial role, Sneed was responsible for shaping content, reviewing submissions, and ensuring fair and accurate representation of Black artists and broadcasters.
Her position placed her at the center of broadcasting culture during a transformative era in North American media history. She maintained this career path throughout and after her marriage to Tommy Chong.
Career in Media and Cultural Contribution
Sneed continued her editorial work even as her personal life became more complex during the 1960s. She balanced raising a family with her professional responsibilities at Black Radio Magazine. Her contribution was culturally significant for its time.
Black women in media leadership during the mid-twentieth century faced systemic barriers.
Sneed’s work at Black Radio Magazine represented an important presence in that landscape, helping shape coverage of Black artists at a time when the music industry was undergoing profound change.
She reportedly also contributed to health and lifestyle publications as a writer and editor. Her editorial career remained her professional anchor even after her divorce in 1970.
Sneed chose to focus on her work and her daughters rather than seek public visibility, a deliberate choice she maintained for the rest of her life. The late drummer Floyd Sneed died on January 27, 2023.
His obituary in the Los Angeles Times listed his surviving sister as Maxine Morrow, confirming that Sneed later took the surname Morrow.
This was one of the rare publicly documented details about her personal life after her divorce from Tommy Chong.
Recent Work and Current Status
After her active editorial years, Maxine Sneed stepped back from public professional life. No current professional roles have been publicly confirmed as of 2026.
She reportedly resides in Los Angeles and spends time with her daughters and family.
Her last documented public connection to the entertainment world came in 2024, when she was referenced in the documentary Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie, which touched on the early figures connected to Tommy Chong’s personal and professional history.
She has not maintained any publicly known social media presence.
Maxine Sneed Ex-Husband Tommy Chong
Maxine Sneed met Tommy Chong through her brother Bernie Sneed, who played keyboard in a band with Tommy in Calgary.
The two began a relationship in the late 1950s and married in 1960 in Canada. Their marriage lasted a decade, ending in divorce in 1970.
During their time together, Tommy transitioned from local Canadian performances to larger stages, eventually forming the legendary comedy duo Cheech & Chong with Cheech Marin.
Maxine supported the household and continued her editorial career throughout this period. Several sources cite Tommy’s infidelity as the primary reason for their divorce.
After the split, Tommy Chong moved to Los Angeles and married comedian and actress Shelby Fiddis in 1975. Maxine reportedly remained single following the divorce and has not publicly confirmed any subsequent long-term relationship.
Maxine Sneed Children
Maxine Sneed raised two daughters: Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong. Rae Dawn Chong was born on February 28, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta.
Her origins were complex: she was born from Tommy Chong’s relationship with another woman, but Tommy won legal custody of the child. Maxine raised Rae Dawn as her own daughter from infancy.
Rae Dawn did not learn of her biological mother until she was 12 years old. Despite the complicated circumstances of her birth, Rae Dawn has spoken warmly about both Tommy and Maxine as her parents.
She went on to a prominent acting career, winning the Genie Award for Best Actress for her role in Quest for Fire (1981). She also appeared in The Color Purple (1985), Commando (1985), and Beat Street (1984).
Maxine’s biological daughter, Robbi Lynn Chong, was born on May 28, 1965. Robbi built her own career as an actress and former model, appearing in productions including The Outer Limits and various independent films.
Both daughters credit Maxine’s steady and supportive parenting as foundational to their careers.
Rae Dawn also has a son named Morgan from her marriage to Owen Baylis, making Maxine a grandmother.
Maxine Sneed Net Worth
Maxine Sneed’s estimated net worth is $1 million as of 2026. Her wealth reflects a long editorial career rather than entertainment industry income. She never pursued celebrity or public-facing business ventures.
Her financial stability came from decades of consistent professional work in publishing and journalism. Multiple sources confirm her net worth exceeds $1 million, a figure rooted in her editorial earnings and prudent financial management throughout her life.
She built a comfortable, private life without relying on fame or media attention.
Maxine Sneed Social Media
Maxine Sneed does not maintain any publicly known social media presence on Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, or any other platform. She has consistently avoided social media throughout her life.
Her daughters, Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong, occasionally share family photographs online that include glimpses of Maxine. These rare appearances represent the closest she comes to public visibility.
Sneed’s commitment to privacy has remained unchanged for more than five decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maxine Sneed’s net worth?
Maxine Sneed’s estimated net worth is $1 million, accumulated through her long editorial career at Black Radio Magazine and other publishing work.
How old is Maxine Sneed?
Maxine Sneed is 85 years old as of June 22, 2026, born on September 23, 1940.
Who is Maxine Sneed married to?
Maxine Sneed is divorced. She was married to comedian Tommy Chong from 1960 to 1970. After their divorce, she reportedly remained single and has not publicly confirmed any subsequent marriage.
What is Maxine Sneed famous for?
Maxine Sneed is best known as the first wife of Tommy Chong and the mother of actresses Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong. She also built an independent career as editor of Black Radio Magazine.
Where was Maxine Sneed born?
Maxine Sneed was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on September 23, 1940.
Who is Maxine Sneed’s brother?
Maxine Sneed’s brother was Floyd Sneed, the original drummer for Three Dog Night. Floyd passed away on January 27, 2023, at age 80. His obituary confirmed Maxine as his surviving sister.
The Bottom Line
Maxine Sneed spent her career as editor of Black Radio Magazine, contributing to Black media representation during an era when such roles were rare for women of colour in North America.
Her editorial work stood alongside her role as the mother of two daughters who became successful actresses in Hollywood.
Her brother Floyd Sneed became the original drummer for Three Dog Night, and it was Maxine who gifted him his first drum kit. That small act is documented in Floyd’s Wikipedia page and his obituary in the Los Angeles Times.
As of 2026, Maxine lives privately in Los Angeles, largely away from public life. Her story is one of steady professional contribution and devoted motherhood, maintained with grace and on her own terms.
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