Ricky Schroder doubles down on anti-vaccine criticism after Dolly Parton’s death: ‘I warned’ her

Joey NolfiThu, August 27, 2026 at 5:28 PM UTC

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Ricky Schroder and Dolly PartonCredit: JB Lacroix/WireImageKey Points -

NYPD Blue actor Ricky Schroder has again criticized Dolly Parton after her death.

The star previously spoke out against her support for the transgender community and her pro-vaccine stance.

Schroder said in a new Instagram post that he “warned” Parton against vaccine treatments — particularly amid her donating $1 million to COVID vaccine research.

After speaking out against Dolly Parton’s support for the transgender community and vaccine advocacy, controversial actor Ricky Schroder has doubled down on the sentiment days after Parton died at age 80.

Schroder, known for his roles on the crime drama series NYPD Blue and as a dramatized version of Parton’s father in two prior Christmas movies, again lashed out on social media at Parton’s pro-vaccine humanitarian work.

“I warned Dolly to not support the Experiment,” Schroder wrote late Wednesday on his Instagram Story, over a video clip of Parton speaking about getting a Moderna COVID vaccine shot after she donated $1 million to early research efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Schroder added that he “wished she listened” to him, and added a frown-face emoji at the end of his latest remarks.

Ricky Schroder and Dolly PartonCredit: Ben Cohen/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Entertainment Weekly did not receive a response to a request for comment sent to Schroder’s Reel American Heroes organization. EW has additionally reached out to a representative for Parton.

Shortly after news of Parton’s death broke Tuesday, Schroder shared a photo of himself posing next to Parton, writing in the Instagram 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.”

Though Schroder and Parton clearly shared different views, they worked together on two TV movies: Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors (2015) and its 2016 sequel, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, in which Schroder played the aforementioned iteration of Parton’s father.

The actor’s initial tribute drew strong blowback from fans and stars alike, with journalist Katie Couric replying with one word —“Ick” — under Schroder’s post on Threads.

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Rock band Garbage, fronted by lead singer Shirley Manson, also replied from its official account, stating, “F--- off Ricky Schroeder.”

Schroder’s social media profiles often share strongly conservative content. A recent post on Instagram showed what appeared to be AI-generated caricatures of liberals, with text calling them “demonic socialists of America” while one individual held a cup that read “GAY DUST” on it.

Parton’s steadfast support of the LGBTQ community —amid other humanitarian efforts — earned significant praise from GLAAD, a media organization dedicated to LGBTQ equality.

GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis honored the “Jolene” and “9 to 5” performer in a statement after the singer’s death, calling her “the queen of inclusivity and philanthropy” while praising “her support for LGBTQ people.”

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After she died, a past clip of Parton speaking in an interview her support for LGBTQ people went viral on social media. “If you’re gay, you’re gay. If you’re straight, you’re straight. And you should be allowed to be how you are, and who you are,” she said in the interview, later responding to a question about pushback she received from Christians over her queer community support: “I keep saying, well, if you define Christian like you think you are, why are you judging people? That’s God’s job.”

She finished, “We’re supposed to love one another and we’re supposed to not judge.”

on Entertainment Weekly

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