Dolly Parton’s co-star Ricky Schroder sparks furious backlash over ‘disrespectful’ tribute to late country legend
Dolly Parton’s co-star Ricky Schroder sparked outrage among fans over his ‘disrespectful’ tribute to the country legend, who died on Tuesday at the age of 80.
The actor, 56, has been getting severe criticism over a ‘foul’ Instagram remembrance post, where he took a swipe at Parton’s politics just hours after the news of her death broke.
The post featured a photo of him with the Jolene singer, along with the caption: ‘I didnt agree with her advocating for Transgender Covid Vaccine support…but Loved her anyway. Thank you for choosing me Dolly to be your Movie Daddy.’
Schroder played Parton’s father, Robert Lee Patton, in the bio TV movies Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors (2015) and Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love (2016).
Fans in the comments called the move deeply insensitive, as they lambasted Schroder’s ‘transphobic and anti-vaccine’ post.
Journalist Katie Couric simply wrote ‘ick’ while singer Boy George quipped, ‘Oh shut up!’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Schroder for comment, but has yet to hear back.
Dolly Parton’s co-star Ricky Schroder, 56, sparked outrage among fans over his ‘disrespectful’ tribute to the country legend, who died on Tuesday at the age of 80; He is pictured in 2019
The actor has been getting severe criticism over a ‘foul’ Instagram remembrance post, where he took a swipe at Parton’s politics just hours after the news of her death broke; Seen in 2015
‘I didnt agree with her advocating for Transgender Covid Vaccine support…but Loved her anyway. Thank you for choosing me Dolly to be your Movie Daddy,’ he wrote in the tribute
Amid the backlash, Schroder also took to his Instagram Stories to post a clip of Parton sharing her support for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Underneath, he wrote: ‘I warned Dolly to not support the Experiment. Wished she listened [sad face emoji].’
Fans underneath his Instagram post and on Threads lashed out in the comments, with one writing, ‘Ricky, she just died. You could have honored her without using her death to remind everyone that you disapproved of her supporting trans people and vaccines. What a s****y, self-centered tribute.’
‘“I loved her anyway” what a strange tribute. Good Lord,’ Lioness star Jay Huguley wrote.
‘Oh ick. That’s just foul,’ another fan added.
‘What a backhanded tribute. Yuck.’
‘Why bring up what you didn’t like?’ someone else questioned.
‘Wow… you should have said nothing.’
‘Imagine being the first (and probably only) person in the whole world to post something negative about Dolly. NOT COOL,’ yet another fan wrote.
‘He could have left the “I didn’t agree with…’ part out. There was no need for it.’
‘No need to even post that..’
‘Don’t make it about you or politics. It’s not a tribute but a statement about you. Why bother?’
‘But what’s the point bringing up things that you didn’t agree on? Does it make you feel better?’ yet another fan asked.
Schroder also posted a clip of Parton sharing her support for the COVID-19 vaccine and wrote: ‘I warned Dolly to not support the Experiment. Wished she listened [sad face emoji]’
Fans in the comments called the move deeply insensitive, as they lambasted Schroder’s ‘transphobic and anti-vaccine’ post
‘She lived her life being a light and not talking politics yet you have do it first thing in a post the day she passes?’
Another fan called it a ‘tone deaf tribute’, adding, ‘Dolly advocated for love and not judging anyone.’
‘What a tacky post. Shame on you.’
‘Why are some celebrities making their “tributes” to Dolly about them??? Do better or don’t do it at all!!’
‘Honestly dude, please just sit down and be quiet. Honor her or don’t. This is weird,’ yet another comment read.
‘Way to show disrespect schroder. You just had to make it about you you couldnt just offer your sympathies. You had to tell everybody what we already know. That you’re a trumper and a has been actor.’
Schroder was seemingly targeting Parton’s outspoken support for the LGBTQIA+ community, including her opposition to anti-trans legislation.
A devout Christian, Parton spoke about her support for her queer fans in a 2014 Billboard interview.
Schroder played Parton’s father in the bio TV movies Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors (2015) and Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love (2016); Pictured in 2016
Parton was outspoken about her support for the transgender community and her COVID-19 vaccine advocacy; She is pictured 2004
Should tributes to beloved stars ever include criticism of their beliefs, or is that always disrespectful?
‘If people want to pass judgment, they’re already sinning. The sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing. I try to love everybody,’ she said.
When North Carolina’s contentious anti-transgender ‘bathroom bill’ sparked national outrage in 2016, Parton addressed the controversy with her signature compassion.
‘I think everybody should be treated with respect,’ she told CNN, adding, ‘I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are.’
The country icon also played a pivotal role in battling COVID-19, donating $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help fund the research behind the Moderna vaccine.
The country music legend’s death shocked the world and came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fueling fan fears for her wellbeing.
Those close to the singer said she had both become increasingly reclusive and secretive about her own ill health in recent months.
And on Tuesday, Parton’s representatives revealed she died following a ‘brief battle with cancer’ in a statement to People, though they did not disclose what type of cancer it was.
The star’s death was first confirmed Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.
Parton died on Tuesday following a ‘brief battle with cancer’; She is pictured in 2006
The singer, often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades; Pictured in 1977
She died Tuesday morning after being hospitalized Friday at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ.
Family insiders indicated that a private service for close friends and relations will be held in Nashville within the next few days.
Fellow stars paid tribute following the news, including Hillary Clinton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Khloe Kardashian and more.
President Donald Trump also paid tribute to Parton and ordered American flags lowered nationwide for one week in her honor.
Parton, often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades. Her famous hits include Jolene, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You.