Maxine Sneed is best known as the first wife of comedian and actor Tommy Chong, but her story extends beyond their marriage. She worked in music publishing, raised two daughters who entered entertainment, and came from a Canadian family with notable musical connections. Although she has remained largely outside the spotlight, historical records reveal details about her career, family background, and life before and after Chong’s rise to fame.
Quick Bio of Maxine Sneed
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maxine Sneed |
| Also Known As | Maxine Chong-Morrow, Maxine Morrow |
| Profession | Former music publishing professional and production director |
| Date of Birth | September 23 (reported); birth year not publicly confirmed |
| Age | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birthplace | Not publicly confirmed; family roots in Alberta, Canada |
| Family Background | Black Canadian family with connections to Calgary and Amber Valley, Alberta |
| Parents | Napoleon Sneed and Willa Sneed (née Carothers) |
| Former Spouse | Tommy Chong (marriage commonly reported as 1960–1970; dates disputed) |
| Children | Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong (raised with Tommy Chong; Rae Dawn’s biological parentage is disputed) |
| Sibling | Floyd Sneed, drummer and founding member of Three Dog Night |
| Career | Production director at Black Radio Exclusive magazine during the 1980s |
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly verified; unofficial online estimates of approximately $1 million are unsubstantiated |
Who Is Maxine Sneed?
Maxine Sneed is a former publishing professional associated with Black Radio Exclusive, a publication covering Black radio, recording artists, and the music industry. She married Tommy Chong before he achieved international recognition with Cheech Marin.
Historical records also identify her as Maxine Chong-Morrow and Maxine Morrow, née Sneed. These names appear in publishing documents and family records, although her complete relationship history is not publicly documented.
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Early Life, Family, and Education
Maxine comes from a family with strong connections to Calgary, Alberta, and Canada’s Black community. Her parents were Napoleon Sneed and Willa Sneed, née Carothers, according to the obituary of her brother, musician Floyd Sneed.
The family’s history includes connections to Amber Valley, a significant Black Canadian settlement. Some biographies also describe Maxine as having Cherokee ancestry, but her specific Indigenous lineage has not been independently verified.
How Old Is Maxine Sneed?
A September 1989 issue of Black Radio Exclusive lists September 23 as Maxine’s birthday. However, the publication does not establish her birth year.
Although some websites report that she was born in 1940, reliable documentation supporting that year remains unavailable. Her precise age in 2026 and birthplace therefore cannot be confirmed.
Information about her education is similarly limited. No reliable public records establish which schools she attended or whether she earned a college degree.
Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong’s Marriage
Maxine married Tommy Chong, born May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta, during his early entertainment career. Before becoming famous as one-half of Cheech & Chong, he worked as a musician in Canada’s developing rock and R&B scene.
Biographical references commonly date their marriage from 1960 to 1970. However, IMDb lists September 23, 1961, as their wedding date and 1974 as the divorce year. These conflicting accounts make the exact timeline uncertain.
Chong’s early musical activities included Little Daddy and the Bachelors, a group that featured Maxine’s brother Floyd Sneed. His partnership with Cheech Marin eventually brought widespread success through comedy albums, performances, and films.
Why Did They Divorce?
Maxine and Tommy’s marriage ended in divorce, but the precise reasons have not been reliably established. Some entertainment websites attribute their separation to infidelity or personal disagreements, without sufficient firsthand evidence.
Tommy subsequently married Shelby Chong in 1975. Shelby became involved in his comedy career, while Maxine maintained a considerably lower public profile.
Maxine Sneed’s Children
Maxine and Tommy Chong raised two daughters, Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong, who developed their own entertainment careers.
Rae Dawn Chong
Rae Dawn Chong was born on February 28, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta. She became known for films including Quest for Fire (1981), Beat Street (1984), Commando (1985), and The Color Purple (1985).
Her performance in Quest for Fire earned her the 1983 Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.
Modern biographical sources commonly identify Maxine as Rae Dawn’s mother. However, historical reporting, including a 1986 Washington Post profile, presents a more complicated account of Rae Dawn’s childhood and parentage. The available evidence supports Maxine’s role in raising her without conclusively resolving every question about biological parentage.
Robbi Chong
Robbi Chong, born in 1965, pursued modeling and acting. A November 1986 Los Angeles Times report described her work as a fashion model in Paris and her developing film career.
She later expanded into production, serving as a producer of Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie, a documentary about her father’s comedy partnership.
Although both daughters entered the public eye, little verified information is available about their private relationships with Maxine today.
Maxine Sneed’s Career in Music Publishing
Maxine established a professional career at Black Radio Exclusive, an American publication covering broadcasting, recording artists, and developments in Black music.
A July 18, 1986 issue listed her as Maxine Chong-Morrow among its production personnel. By February 1987, the magazine identified her as production director, a title that also appeared in issues from 1988 and 1989.
Many online biographies describe her simply as an editor, but contemporary mastheads establish the more specific production-director position. Her precise responsibilities have not been fully documented.
A January 22, 1988 publisher’s note indicated that she had worked with the publication for at least a decade, suggesting an association beginning around 1978 or earlier.
The same note offered condolences following the death of her father, Napoleon Sneed, in Calgary. Her exact employment dates and subsequent professional activities remain unknown.
Her Brother Floyd Sneed and Three Dog Night
Maxine’s brother, Floyd Chester Sneed, was born November 22, 1942, and became a founding member and drummer of Three Dog Night. The American rock band achieved major success with recordings including Joy to the World.
According to Floyd’s obituary, Maxine bought him his first drum set in the early 1960s. Tommy Chong later invited Floyd to perform with Little Daddy and the Bachelors, connecting the family’s musical interests with Chong’s early career.
Floyd died on January 27, 2023. His obituary, published in February 2023, identified Maxine Morrow, née Sneed, as his surviving sister. This provides one of the more recent documented references to her.
Maxine Sneed’s Movies and Documentary Appearance
Unlike her former husband and daughters, Maxine has no widely documented professional acting career.
However, entertainment databases credit her with appearing as herself in Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie. The documentary premiered at SXSW in March 2024 and received a wider U.S. theatrical release on April 25, 2025.
Robbi Chong served as a producer, while David Bushell directed the film. Paramount+ announced its streaming availability in April 2026.
The extent of Maxine’s participation and whether she received compensation have not been independently established.
Maxine Sneed Net Worth and Income Sources
Maxine Sneed’s net worth remains unverified. Some celebrity biography websites circulate estimates around $1 million, but these figures lack reliable financial documentation and should not be treated as confirmed wealth.
Her clearest documented income source was her publishing career, particularly her long association with Black Radio Exclusive. However, her salary, benefits, and total career earnings have not been publicly disclosed.
There is no reliable evidence establishing that she received continuing entertainment royalties, substantial divorce settlements, or income from other businesses.
Likewise, no verified records identify her real estate holdings, investments, or other significant personal assets. Tommy Chong’s financial success cannot reasonably be used to calculate his former wife’s wealth.
Her historical publishing work establishes professional experience, not a measurable personal fortune.
Where Is Maxine Sneed Now?
Maxine’s current residence, occupation, marital status, and daily activities are not reliably documented. Her identification as a surviving sister in Floyd Sneed’s 2023 obituary provides a recent family record but does not establish her circumstances in October 2026.
No sufficiently verified recent death announcement has been identified, although that absence alone cannot conclusively establish her present status.
Her limited media presence also makes claims about retirement, health, or personal relationships difficult to substantiate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maxine Sneed?
Maxine Sneed is a former music publishing professional best known as Tommy Chong’s first wife. She worked as production director at Black Radio Exclusive magazine.
When were Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong married?
Their marriage is commonly dated from 1960 to 1970, although some biographical sources report different dates.
How many children does Maxine Sneed have?
Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong raised two daughters, actresses Rae Dawn Chong and Robbi Chong. Historical sources differ regarding Rae Dawn’s biological parentage.
What is Maxine Sneed’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly verified. Online estimates of approximately $1 million lack reliable financial documentation.
Is Maxine Sneed still alive in 2026?
Maxine was identified as a surviving family member in her brother Floyd Sneed’s 2023 obituary. Her status in 2026 has not been independently confirmed.
Conclusion
Maxine Sneed’s biography reveals more than her former marriage to Tommy Chong. Her work at Black Radio Exclusive, her connection to Three Dog Night drummer Floyd Sneed, and her role in the Chong family’s history establish a distinctive place in the entertainment world.
Although her exact age, present circumstances, and personal net worth remain unconfirmed, contemporary publishing records and family accounts provide a credible picture of her professional and personal background. Her story illustrates how someone connected to famous entertainers can also have a meaningful history beyond public recognition.
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