Maxine Sneed is widely known as the first wife of Tommy Chong, but her life includes more than a connection to the famous comedian. She came from a notable Black Canadian family, raised daughters linked to Hollywood, supported her musician brother, and built a lasting career in media production. Because she values privacy, many personal details remain unconfirmed.
Quick Bio of Maxine Sneed
| Quick Bio | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maxine Sneed |
| Other Known Names | Maxine Chong, Maxine Chong-Morrow, Maxine Morrow |
| Date of Birth | September 23; birth year not publicly verified |
| Age | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birthplace | Canada; exact city is unknown |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Black Canadian; Cherokee ancestry is reported but unverified |
| Parents | Napoleon Sneed and Willa Sneed |
| Siblings | Floyd Sneed and Bernard “Bernie” Sneed |
| Former Husband | Tommy Chong |
| Children | Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong |
| Profession | Former production director and media professional |
| Known For | Being Tommy Chong’s first wife and working at Black Radio Exclusive |
Early Life, Family, and Ethnicity
Maxine Sneed was born in Canada to Napoleon Sneed and Willa Sneed, née Carothers. Her known brothers were Floyd Chester Sneed and Bernard “Bernie” Sneed. The family had connections to Alberta’s historic Black community and Amber Valley, supporting descriptions of Maxine Sneed ethnicity as Black Canadian. Claims of Cherokee ancestry remain widely reported but unverified.
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Maxine Sneed’s Age and Birthday
Searches for Maxine Sneed age often show 1940 as her birth year, although no dependable public record confirms that date. An archived edition of Black Radio Exclusive listed September 23 as the birthday of Maxine Chong-Morrow, a name professionally associated with her. Her exact birth year, current age, and specific Canadian birthplace remain private.
Marriage to Tommy Chong
Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong married in 1960, before he became internationally famous through Cheech & Chong. At the time, he was developing his career as a musician and entertainer in Canada. Their marriage lasted approximately ten years and ended in 1970. The precise reason for their divorce has never been reliably documented in public records.
Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong
Maxine raised Rae Dawn Chong, the actress known for Quest for Fire, The Color Purple, Commando, and Soul Man. Rae has explained that Maxine was the mother who raised her, although she was not her biological mother. Maxine and Tommy are also the parents of Robbi Chong, who worked as a model, actress, and producer.
Her Connection to Floyd Sneed
Her younger brother Floyd Sneed became the original drummer for Three Dog Night. Family accounts say Maxine Sneed encouraged his musical ambitions by buying him a drum set during the early 1960s. Tommy Chong later invited Floyd to perform in an early band, connecting the Sneed family with the Canadian music scene before either man achieved wider recognition.
Career at Black Radio Exclusive
Many Maxine Sneed bio pages describe her simply as a magazine editor, but archival records identify her more accurately as production director of Black Radio Exclusive. Working as Maxine Chong-Morrow, she had reportedly served the publication for at least ten years by 1988. Her career supported coverage of Black music, urban radio, record promotion, and entertainment culture.
Why She Used Different Names
Public records connect her with Maxine Sneed, Maxine Chong, Maxine Chong-Morrow, and Maxine Morrow. Sneed was her birth surname, while Chong came from her first marriage. The later Morrow surname may suggest another marriage or legal change, but no dependable source confirms the identity of a later partner or her current relationship status.
Maxine Sneed Movies and Documentary Appearance
People searching for Maxine Sneed movies may assume she pursued acting, but she has no established acting career. Her best-known screen credit is an appearance as herself in Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie. The documentary premiered at SXSW in 2024, where she joined a public discussion, and later received a wider American theatrical release in 2025.
Maxine Sneed Now
Interest in Maxine Sneed now increased following her rare documentary appearance. She has not publicly confirmed her current home, daily routine, or personal relationships. Some websites place her in Canada, while others suggest California because of her family and publishing connections. Neither location is firmly supported by a recent interview, official profile, or verified personal account.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Maxine Sneed net worth is unknown. Celebrity websites publish estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, but those numbers lack financial records or transparent calculations. Her most clearly documented income source was her long-term media-production work. Tommy Chong’s later fortune should not be used to estimate hers because the couple divorced before his largest successes.
Education, Height, and Physical Appearance
No trustworthy source identifies the schools, college, or university she attended. Her height, weight, body measurements, and other physical details are also unconfirmed. Precise figures published by biography websites often appear without sources, and one height frequently attached to her name belongs to another entertainer called Maxine. Such information should not be presented as verified fact.
Social Media, Wikipedia, and Obituary Confusion
No verified social media account belonging to Maxine Sneed has been identified. She also lacks a full standalone English-language Wikipedia article, although a limited Wikidata entry exists. Searches for actor obituary Maxine Sneed can surface notices for unrelated women with the same name. None has been reliably connected to Tommy Chong, Rae Dawn Chong, or Robbi Chong.
Life Beyond Her Famous Marriage
Her story connects Black Canadian history, music, film, publishing, and one of comedy’s most recognizable partnerships. She supported her brother’s musical beginnings, raised daughters who entered entertainment, and developed her own professional identity behind the scenes. Her private nature has made accurate reporting especially important because unsupported claims can easily be mistaken for established biographical facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maxine Sneed?
Maxine Sneed is a Canadian former media professional best known as Tommy Chong’s first wife. She also worked as a production director for Black Radio Exclusive.
How old is Maxine Sneed?
Her exact age is not publicly known because her birth year has never been reliably confirmed. Archival records indicate that her birthday is September 23.
When did Maxine Sneed marry Tommy Chong?
Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong married in 1960. Their marriage lasted about ten years before they divorced in 1970.
Does Maxine Sneed have children?
She raised Rae Dawn Chong and is the mother of Robbi Chong. Both daughters have worked in the entertainment industry.
Where is Maxine Sneed now?
Her current residence and personal life remain private. Her most recent known public appearance was connected to Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie.
Final Thoughts
The most reliable portrait of Maxine Sneed is that of a Canadian media professional, mother, sister, and former wife of Tommy Chong. Her marriage brought lasting public curiosity, but her work at Black Radio Exclusive and influence within her family deserve equal attention. Her exact age, wealth, education, location, and current relationship status remain appropriately private.
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