Maxine Sneed – Journalist, Editor & Tommy Chong’s Former Partner

Maxine Sneed – Journalist, Editor & Tommy Chong’s Former Partner – is a name rarely seen in the headlines, but she played a pivotal role in the early life of iconic comedian and cannabis advocate Tommy Chong. Despite her discretion and private lifestyle, Maxine remains a figure of public interest, particularly due to her relationship with Chong and her role as mother to actress Rae Dawn Chong. This article delves into every available detail of her life—from her early years and professional background to her influence on her famous ex-husband and children.

Quick Bio Table: Maxine Sneed

Early Life and Background

Maxine Sneed was born in Canada, possibly in the 1930s or 1940s. Her mixed heritage of African-American and Cherokee descent positioned her as a woman of intersectional identity during a period of intense racial and cultural shifts in North America. There is limited public information regarding her exact birthplace, but reports indicate she lived a modest and educated life before entering the editorial world.

Her upbringing instilled values of privacy and perseverance—traits she would carry throughout her quiet yet impactful journey in media and family life.

Age and Physical Attributes

Maxine Sneed’s precise date of birth has never been publicly confirmed. However, estimates based on public records and her marriage timeline suggest she may now be in her early 80s or even 90s as of 2025.

She is believed to have maintained a dignified and elegant appearance during her public years, though no recent images exist.

Education and Professional Career

Maxine Sneed is best known professionally as an editor at Black Radio Magazine, a publication that highlighted African-American voices in media during the mid-20th century. Her role there reflected her advocacy for diverse representation and cultural literacy.

Though her career did not include wide-scale journalism or celebrity interviews, her editorial role was significant within her community and paved the way for greater cultural visibility.

There are unverified suggestions that she worked in education or communications before entering the editorial world.

Father’s Background

Little is known about Maxine’s father. Given her background and time of birth, it is possible he worked in trade or community leadership roles. He may have had Indigenous (Cherokee) ancestry, which influenced her cultural grounding.

Mother’s Background

Her mother was reportedly of African-American descent, possibly active in community efforts. Like her father, not much information is publicly accessible—underscoring Maxine’s preference for keeping personal details outside the spotlight.

Meeting and Marriage with Tommy Chong

Maxine Sneed met Tommy Chong in the late 1950s or early 1960s. At the time, Chong was an emerging musician and entertainer, still years away from his “Cheech and Chong” stoner-comedy fame. They married in 1960 and lived in Canada, raising a family while Tommy explored his music and comedy ventures.

Their marriage was reportedly low-key, though complex. They divorced around 1970, shortly before Tommy’s career skyrocketed with his comedy partner Cheech Marin.

Who They Are: Tommy Chong and Cultural Impact

Tommy Chong is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, writer, and cannabis rights advocate. Best known for his partnership with Cheech Marin in the 1970s, he helped pioneer a genre of counterculture humor. Despite his fame, Chong had humble beginnings, and Maxine Sneed played a stabilizing role during those early years.

While Maxine never appeared in public forums with Chong later in life, she remained part of his story—especially as the mother to Rae Dawn Chong, a successful Hollywood actress in her own right.

Children and Family Life

Maxine Sneed is the mother of Rae Dawn Chong, born in 1961. There is some dispute over whether she is also the biological or adoptive mother of Robbi Chong, born in 1965. Tommy Chong has referenced both as his daughters, though some sources say Robbi may be from a later relationship.

Rae Dawn Chong became a prominent actress in the 1980s, starring in films like Commando, The Color Purple, and Soul Man. She has acknowledged her mother’s influence on her discipline, identity, and cultural awareness.

Maxine raised her daughters with a sense of independence, often away from Hollywood chaos, despite their father’s rising fame.

Impact on Career

While Tommy Chong’s public career exploded after their divorce, Maxine Sneed’s influence during his early development cannot be overstated. She provided emotional and domestic stability during the most formative years of his career—long before he became a household name.

Her strong editorial and intellectual background may also have influenced Chong’s ability to connect with diverse audiences through socially conscious humor.

Cultural Influence and Family Legacy

Maxine Sneed’s mixed heritage had a profound impact on her daughters’ sense of identity and artistry. Her insistence on education, poise, and privacy helped Rae Dawn and possibly Robbi navigate careers in an industry often unfriendly to women of color.

Maxine’s legacy is also preserved in her editorial work, contributing to Black media during a transformative time.

Legal and Privacy Considerations

One of the most notable things about Maxine Sneed is her ability to stay out of the tabloids. In a world where celebrity families often find their private lives exposed, Maxine has remained mostly invisible in the public eye. She has never granted interviews or published memoirs, and legal records about her personal life are sealed or unavailable.

This intense privacy has helped shield her children from excessive media scrutiny and kept her own legacy on her terms.

Net Worth and Financial Standing

Maxine Sneed’s net worth is difficult to determine. Unlike Tommy Chong, who has amassed wealth through comedy, film, and cannabis ventures, Maxine lived a more modest and quiet life.

Some estimates place her net worth between $500,000 and $1 million, primarily from her editorial career, potential alimony, and her children’s success.

Conclusion

Maxine Sneed – Journalist, Editor & Tommy Chong’s Former Partner – may not be a household name, but her impact runs deep. As an editor who supported Black media, a mother to talented daughters, and a key figure in Tommy Chong’s early years, her story bridges private strength and cultural contribution. Though she has chosen to remain out of the public eye, her legacy endures through the success of her children and the influence she quietly wielded during a transformative era.

(FAQs) About Maxine Sneed

1. Who is Maxine Sneed?
   Maxine Sneed is a Canadian-American editor known for her marriage to Tommy Chong and for being the mother of actress Rae Dawn Chong.

2. Was Maxine Sneed married to Tommy Chong?
   Yes, they were married from around 1960 to 1970.

3. What is Maxine Sneed’s profession?
   She was an editor for Black Radio Magazine.

4. How many children does Maxine Sneed have?
   She is confirmed to have one daughter, Rae Dawn Chong; Robbi Chong may also be her daughter.

5. Where is Maxine Sneed now?
   She lives a private life, possibly in Canada or the U.S., and has stayed out of the public spotlight for decades.