Maxine Sneed: Everything to Know About Tommy Chong’s First Wife

Maxine Sneed is a Canadian woman best known as the first wife of comedian and actor Tommy Chong. She helped raise actress Rae Dawn Chong and is the mother of actress and former model Robbi Chong. Maxine supported the family during Tommy’s early career and largely stayed away from public attention after their marriage ended.

Quick Facts About Maxine Sneed

Early Life

Maxine Sneed was born in Canada. Her exact birthplace and birth year have not been reliably documented.

She reportedly celebrates her birthday on September 23. Because her birth year is unknown, her current age cannot be reliably calculated.

Maxine has been described as having Black Canadian and Cherokee ancestry.

Very little reliable information is available about her parents, childhood, or education.

Maxine Sneed’s Brother, Floyd Sneed

Maxine’s brother was musician Floyd Sneed.

Floyd became best known as the drummer for the rock band Three Dog Night. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

His connection with music also played a role in Maxine’s relationship with Tommy Chong.

Tommy knew Maxine through her brother when he was a young musician.

How Did Maxine Sneed Meet Tommy Chong?

Maxine met Tommy through her brother Floyd, who played music with him.

Maxine and Tommy began dating when they were young. According to Tommy’s account, their relationship ended for a period after he started working as a truck driver.

During their time apart, Tommy became involved with another woman.

Maxine later contacted Tommy and told him she was ready for marriage. The couple reunited and eventually married.

Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong’s Marriage

Sources disagree about exactly when Maxine and Tommy married.

Many biographies list 1960 as their marriage year. Other detailed accounts give September 23, 1961, which was reportedly Maxine’s birthday.

Because the available sources conflict, the exact wedding date should not be treated as settled.

The couple married in Canada and later lived in Vancouver.

Their early marriage took place years before Tommy became widely known through Cheech & Chong.

Their Early Married Life

After marrying, Maxine and Tommy built their life together in Canada.

Maxine reportedly found work as a secretary at a large company. Tommy worked various jobs while continuing his interest in music.

The family later moved several times as Tommy’s career developed.

Rae Dawn Chong has said the family moved to Detroit in 1967 and then to Los Angeles in 1969.

When they reached Los Angeles, Maxine worked and helped support the family while Tommy continued pursuing his career.

Maxine Sneed’s Career

Maxine worked outside the entertainment industry.

Family accounts say she worked as a secretary during her early marriage. Rae Dawn Chong has also said Maxine became an executive assistant to the chairman of Exxon Oil after the family moved to Los Angeles.

Many online biographies additionally describe Maxine as a former editor at Black Radio Magazine.

However, detailed information about her work at the magazine, including her exact position and employment dates, is not well documented.

Her work as a secretary and executive assistant has stronger support from family accounts.

Maxine Sneed and Rae Dawn Chong’s Relationship

Maxine is commonly described as Rae Dawn Chong’s mother. However, their relationship needs an important explanation.

Rae has said that Maxine was not her biological mother.

According to Rae’s own account, she was born to another woman and was placed in an orphanage when she was around three months old. Rae’s paternal grandmother later brought her into Tommy’s family.

Maxine then raised Rae and became the woman Rae knew as her mother.

Rae has publicly referred to Maxine as her adopted mom.

This means Maxine played the role of Rae’s mother throughout her childhood even though she was not her biological mother.

Who Is Rae Dawn Chong’s Biological Mother?

The identity of Rae Dawn Chong’s biological mother is less clearly documented.

Some secondary sources identify her as a woman named Gail, sometimes giving the name Gail Toolson.

Rae has said her biological mother was very young when she became pregnant and later placed her in an orphanage after experiencing difficult family circumstances.

The name Gail Toolson is widely reported, but it is safer to treat the name as reported rather than fully confirmed.

Rae Dawn Chong

Rae Dawn Chong was born on February 28, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

She later became an actress.

Her notable films include Quest for Fire, Beat Street, Commando, The Color Purple, Soul Man, and The Principal.

Her performance in Quest for Fire earned her a Genie Award.

Rae has spoken publicly about Maxine’s role in raising and supporting her.

Maxine Sneed’s Daughter Robbi Chong

Maxine and Tommy’s biological daughter is Robbi Lynn Chong.

Robbi was born on May 28, 1965, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

One account gives her birth year as 1963, but stronger biographical records support 1965.

Robbi later became a model and actress.

She joined Click Modeling Agency when she was 19 and worked as a model in Paris during the 1980s.

Her screen credits include The Cosby Show, The Outer Limits, Murder One, Dave’s World, Jimmy Hollywood, and Poltergeist: The Legacy.

Maxine Supported the Family Financially

Maxine played an important role in supporting the family during Tommy’s early career.

Rae Dawn has said Maxine worked as an executive assistant after the family arrived in Los Angeles and helped support the household.

Tommy’s own accounts also describe Maxine helping him financially after their relationship had started to fall apart.

She reportedly gave him money when he was struggling and lent him her car.

These details come from family accounts rather than financial records, but both Tommy and Rae have spoken about Maxine’s support.

Tommy Chong’s Relationship With Shelby

Tommy later became involved with Shelby, who would become his second wife.

According to accounts of this period, Tommy and Shelby developed a relationship while his marriage to Maxine was already experiencing problems.

Shelby became pregnant during their relationship.

Some biographies state that Tommy’s infidelity caused his divorce from Maxine. However, the details surrounding the breakdown of the marriage are more complicated, and the exact reason for their legal divorce has not been clearly documented.

When Did Maxine Sneed and Tommy Chong Divorce?

Sources disagree about the year Maxine and Tommy officially divorced.

Many biographies give 1970 as the divorce year.

Other detailed accounts say the divorce took place in 1974.

Because reliable sources do not agree, it is safest to say that their marriage ended in the early 1970s, with both 1970 and 1974 reported as the formal divorce year.

Tommy married Shelby Chong in 1975.

Maxine Continued Helping Tommy After Their Separation

Maxine reportedly continued to support Tommy even after their relationship ended.

Tommy has said she gave him money when he was struggling and allowed him to use her car.

According to another family account, Maxine also helped care for Precious, Tommy and Shelby’s daughter, when Shelby was hospitalized.

Tommy has spoken positively about Maxine years after their divorce and described her as a very decent person.

The former couple also reportedly continued seeing each other occasionally at family gatherings.

Maxine Sneed’s Connection to Cheech Marin

Maxine was also present during the early years of Tommy’s comedy partnership with Cheech Marin.

Tommy and Cheech reportedly stayed for a period with Maxine and her daughters in Los Angeles while developing their comedy careers.

The living arrangement eventually became difficult, and Cheech moved elsewhere.

Tommy and Cheech later became famous as the comedy duo Cheech & Chong.

Their projects included Up in Smoke, Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie, Nice Dreams, and Things Are Tough All Over.

Maxine Sneed’s Ex-Husband, Tommy Chong

Tommy Chong was born Thomas Bing Kin Chong on May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

He is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, musician, writer, and cannabis activist.

He became famous as one half of Cheech & Chong alongside Cheech Marin.

Tommy also played Leo Chingkwake on the television sitcom That ’70s Show.

Before his comedy career, Tommy was involved in music and played guitar in several groups.

After his marriage to Maxine ended, he married actress and comedian Shelby Chong in 1975.

Did Maxine Sneed Appear in Movies?

Maxine Sneed does not have a known acting career.

Unlike Tommy, Rae Dawn, and Robbi, she did not build a career in film or television.

Some websites discuss “Maxine Sneed’s movies,” but there are no established acting credits connected to her.

Maxine Sneed’s Net Worth

Maxine Sneed’s personal net worth is not reliably known.

Some celebrity websites publish estimates, but there is no strong financial evidence supporting a specific amount.

Her former husband’s wealth should not be used to estimate Maxine’s personal finances.

Social Media

Maxine does not appear to have a clearly verified public Instagram, Facebook, X, or TikTok account.

Photos of her sometimes appear through family members and other online accounts, but these should not be confused with Maxine’s own social media profiles.

Where Is Maxine Sneed Now?

Maxine has lived a very private life since her marriage to Tommy Chong ended.

Some websites claim she currently lives in Canada, while others place her in the United States. Neither location has been reliably confirmed.

Her current residence, work, and day-to-day activities are not publicly known.

Facts About Maxine Sneed

• Maxine Sneed is Tommy Chong’s first wife.
• She was born in Canada.
• Her birthday is reported to be September 23.
• Her birth year and current age are not reliably known.
• She has been described as having Black Canadian and Cherokee ancestry.
• Her brother was Three Dog Night drummer Floyd Sneed.
• She met Tommy through her brother.
• Sources disagree on whether she married Tommy in 1960 or 1961.
• Maxine raised Rae Dawn Chong from infancy.
• Rae has described Maxine as her adopted mother.
• Maxine is not Rae Dawn Chong’s biological mother.
• Maxine and Tommy’s biological daughter is Robbi Chong.
• Robbi was born in Vancouver in 1965.
• Maxine worked as a secretary and later as an executive assistant.
• She is also widely reported to have worked as an editor for Black Radio Magazine.
• Maxine supported her family financially during Tommy’s early career.
• Sources give either 1970 or 1974 as the year of her divorce from Tommy.
• She reportedly continued helping Tommy after their separation.
• She has no established acting career.
• Her personal net worth is not reliably known.
• Her current residence and activities are private.

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