She’s the first wife of comedy legend Tommy Chong and mother to actress Rae Dawn Chong. While her name might not carry the same recognition as her famous family members, Maxine Sneed built her own career as an editor at Black Radio Magazine and raised two daughters who became successful actresses.
Unlike many connected to Hollywood fame, Maxine chose privacy over publicity. Her story offers a look at the woman who shaped a family while staying true to her values during an era when voices like hers were rarely heard in mainstream media.
Early Life and Heritage
Maxine Sneed was born on September 23, and comes from a mixed ethnic background that includes African-Canadian and Cherokee roots. She was born in Canada, though specific details about her childhood, parents, and education remain private—a pattern she maintained throughout her life.
Growing up in mid-20th century Canada as a woman of mixed heritage shaped her identity and later influenced her professional choices. Her brother was Floyd Sneed, a drummer, connecting her family to the music world even before her marriage to Tommy Chong.
Her cultural background gave her a unique perspective during a time when diversity in Canadian media was limited. This foundation would later inform her career path in journalism and publishing.
Marriage to Tommy Chong
Maxine Sneed married Tommy Chong in 1960 in Canada, beginning a marriage that lasted about ten years. At the time of their marriage, Tommy was still establishing himself in the entertainment industry, years before he would become famous as half of the comedy duo Cheech & Chong.
Their marriage spanned a transformative period. The 1960s brought massive social changes, and Tommy’s career evolved from musician to comedian during this decade. While he built his public profile, Maxine maintained her own professional path in media.
The couple faced challenges that ultimately led to their separation. Their marriage faced serious challenges, including reports of Tommy Chong’s infidelity, which contributed to their separation. The marriage ended in divorce in 1970, after roughly a decade together.
Despite the difficulties, Maxine handled the separation with dignity. There are no public records of bitter disputes or sensational stories from her side, reflecting her preference for handling personal matters privately.
Her Daughters: Rae Dawn and Robbi Chong
Maxine’s most lasting contribution may be as a mother to two successful daughters. During their marriage, they had two daughters, Rae Dawn and Robbi Chong, who later became successful actresses.
1. Rae Dawn Chong
Rae Dawn was born on February 28, 1961, and her early life was complicated because her biological mother was a 16-year-old who, after losing her own mother, placed Rae Dawn in an orphanage. Tommy Chong’s mother later adopted Rae Dawn and brought her to live with Tommy and Maxine, who raised her as their own.
Maxine embraced Rae Dawn fully, raising her with the same love and commitment as she would her biological daughter. This decision speaks to her character—she chose love over biology and provided a stable home for a child who needed it.
Rae Dawn grew up to become a successful actress, known for films like Quest for Fire, for which she won a Genie Award, as well as roles in The Colour Purple and Commando. Her success in Hollywood stands as a testament to the foundation Maxine provided.
2. Robbi Chong
Robbi Chong, born on May 28, 1965, began her career as an international model before moving into acting. She appeared in various TV shows and films such as Murder One, The Cosby Show, and Only God Can.
Both daughters pursued entertainment careers, but their paths differed from their mother’s. While Maxine worked behind the scenes in media, her daughters chose the spotlight—yet both benefited from the values and stability she provided during their formative years.
Career as a Magazine Editor
Beyond her role as wife and mother, Maxine built her own professional identity. She worked as an editor at Black Radio Magazine, a position that carried significant cultural importance during the 1960s.
As an editor, Maxine made decisions about content coverage and editorial direction at a time when representation of Black voices in mainstream publications was limited. Her role placed her at the intersection of music, culture, and social change during a pivotal period in North American history.
Working in Black media during the civil rights era meant more than just a job—it represented a commitment to cultural representation and community. The exact period of her work at Black Radio Magazine remains unclear from public records, but her choice of this publication reflects a personal connection to promoting Black artists and voices.
Her work contributed to a broader movement of Black-owned and Black-focused media that helped shape how communities saw themselves and were seen by others. This aspect of her life remains less documented than her family connections, but it represents an important part of her individual legacy.
Life After Divorce
Following her 1970 divorce from Tommy Chong, Maxine made a deliberate choice to step away from public attention. While Tommy went on to marry actress and producer Shelby Fiddis in 1975 and his career with Cheech & Chong skyrocketed through the 1970s and 1980s, Maxine focused on her daughters and her own life away from the cameras.
This decision to maintain privacy stands out, especially in an era when celebrity connections often lead to continued media attention. Maxine chose a different path—one of quiet dignity and independence.
Today, Maxine Sneed is believed to be living quietly in Canada, maintaining a very private lifestyle. She does not have any known public social media accounts, and there have been no recent news updates about her activities or career.
Her absence from social media and public events is intentional. In an age where almost everyone maintains some online presence, her choice to remain private demonstrates a commitment to living life on her own terms, free from the pressures of public scrutiny.
Her Lasting Legacy
Maxine’s legacy is strongly linked to her role as the mother of Rae Dawn and Robbi Chong, two successful actresses who have made important contributions to film and television. Through her daughters, she influenced the entertainment industry indirectly but meaningfully.
Her work as an editor at Black Radio Magazine helped highlight voices in Canadian media, showcasing her dedication to cultural representation. This professional achievement, though less publicized than her family connections, represents her independent contribution to media and culture.
Beyond measurable achievements, Maxine’s legacy includes the values she instilled in her daughters. Both Rae Dawn and Robbi credit their upbringing for shaping who they became, and that foundation came largely from their mother’s influence.
Her story also represents something broader—the experience of women who support famous partners while maintaining their own identities and careers. She didn’t seek fame through her connections; instead, she built a quiet but meaningful life focused on family, work, and personal values.
Why Her Story Matters
In celebrity culture, we often focus exclusively on those in the spotlight while overlooking the people who shape their lives behind the scenes. Maxine Sneed’s story matters precisely because she chose not to chase fame despite having every opportunity to do so.
Her work in Black media during the 1960s contributed to cultural representation at a time when such platforms were crucial for community identity and pride. Her role as a mother who raised successful, talented daughters while navigating complex family dynamics shows strength and commitment that deserve recognition.
Most significantly, her choice to live privately in an increasingly public world demonstrates that there are different ways to measure a meaningful life. Success doesn’t require constant visibility, and influence doesn’t demand social media followers.
Conclusion
Maxine Sneed’s life tells a story that goes beyond celebrity connections. She was a professional editor who contributed to Black media representation, a mother who raised two successful daughters under complex circumstances, and a woman who chose privacy and dignity over fame.
Her influence continues through her daughters’ careers and the values she instilled in them. While she may not seek recognition, her story deserves to be told—not because of who she was married to, but because of who she was and remains: a woman who lived according to her own principles and made meaningful contributions to her family and community.
In a world obsessed with visibility, Maxine Sneed reminds us that some of the most meaningful lives are lived quietly, away from cameras and headlines, focused on what truly matters—family, integrity, and personal fulfillment.