‘Yellowstone’ Star Forrie J. Smith to Skip SAG Awards Over Covid Vaccine Mandate

Forrie J. Smith, best known for playing ranch hand Lloyd Pierce on Paramount‘s western drama Yellowstone, has said he will not attend the upcoming Screen Actors Guild Awards due to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

The actor shared a video on his Instagram (which has since been deleted), apologizing to his fans for not attending the awards ceremony. “I want to apologize to y’all for not being at the Screen Actors Guild Awards,” he said (via Deadline). “I mean no offense to anyone. I’m not vaccinated, and it’s a requirement to be vaccinated.”

He added that he is “not vaccinated” and “will not get vaccinated,” explaining that he hasn’t been vaccinated since he was a child. “I don’t vaccinate my dogs; I don’t vaccinate my horses. I’ve never had a flu shot. I never will,” he continued. “I believe they compromise your immunities… It’s no offense to anyone. It’s just my beliefs. I just don’t believe in that stuff. Whatever.”

Smith is nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series alongside the rest of the Yellowstone cast, which includes the likes of Kevin Costner, Wes Bentley, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser, Taylor Sheridan, and Gil Birmingham.

Yellowstone, which has become one of the Paramount Network’s most popular shows, was renewed for a fifth season earlier this month. Season 5 will be split into two installments of seven episodes each and is expected to start filming in May.

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Smith has starred in the show since Season 1, portraying senior ranch hand Lloyd. He was a recurring character across the first two seasons before being promoted to series regular in Season 3.

“Thank you all, you all enjoy watching the show anyway, and maybe next year,” Smith signed off his video.

Yellowstone, Season 5, TBA, Paramount Network

2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Live, Sunday, February 27, 8/7c, TNT & TBS