Yellowstone Actor Forrie Smith Alleges Removal from Flight for Declining Seat Near Masked Individual

Yellowstone’s Forrie Smith Claims He Was ‘Kicked Off’ a Plane for Refusing to Sit Next to Masked Person

Forrie J. Smith MBS/MEGA

Yellowstone star Forrie Smith recently shared on Instagram that he was asked to leave a plane because he did not want to sit next to a passenger wearing a mask. Smith, who is 65 years old, expressed his frustration in a video posted on Saturday, March 23. In the video, he mentioned that he prefers to communicate face to face, but he was unable to say what he wanted to say in person. Smith humorously questioned his location after being removed from the plane.

A voice in the background interrupted, saying, "You're in Houston."

He then explained, "I'm in Houston, Texas. I asked to move because I didn't want to sit beside someone wearing a mask."

In the clip, Smith confessed to drinking and mentioned that he had been waiting at the airport for three hours. He clarified, "I’ve been sitting in the airport for three hours, yeah, I’ve been drinking. I ain’t drunk."

He went on to say, "But they kicked me off the plane for being drunk. You all need to speak up and call out how ridiculous this is. I simply expressed my discomfort about sitting next to someone wearing a mask, and they removed me from the plane."

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A post shared by Forrie J. Smith (@forriejsmithcowboy)

The video cut out as Smith spoke mid-sentence. He captioned the post on Saturday, “You need to hear this story. #cowboy #country #western #yellowstone #yellowstonetv.”

Smith started off as a recurring character in the popular Paramount drama series for the first two seasons. He later became a member of the main cast in season 3, portraying the role of ranch hand Lloyd Pierce at the Dutton Ranch.

During the 2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Yellowstone received a nomination. Smith informed his Instagram followers through a now-deleted post that he would not be attending the event. This decision was due to his personal choice of not getting vaccinated against COVID-19. (Ultimately, Yellowstone did not win the award for ensemble in a television drama, losing to Succession.)

"I want to apologize to everyone for not attending the Screen Actors Guild Awards," Smith mentioned on Instagram according to Variety. "I want to clarify that it's not because of any disrespect. The reason is that I'm not vaccinated, and it's a requirement for the event."

Smith also explained that he has no plans to get vaccinated. "I have never been vaccinated since I was a child. I don't vaccinate my pets or my horses," he shared. "I have never taken a flu shot and I don't intend to. I believe that vaccines can weaken your immune system. It's just my personal belief. I don't have faith in those things. That's just how I feel."

Editor's P/S:

The incident involving Yellowstone star Forrie Smith highlights the ongoing debate surrounding mask mandates and personal choice. Smith's refusal to sit next to a masked passenger on a plane raises questions about the balance between individual rights and public health concerns. While Smith claims to prefer face-to-face communication, his actions suggest a lack of consideration for the comfort and safety of others.

It's important to note that mask mandates are often implemented to protect vulnerable populations, such as the immunocompromised or those with underlying health conditions. By refusing to wear a mask, Smith potentially puts others at risk of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, his comments about drinking and being asked to leave the plane raise concerns about his behavior and judgment. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to wear a mask is a personal one, but it's essential to consider the potential consequences of our choices and respect the safety and well-being of those around us.