Ricky Schroder is standing by his criticism of Dolly Parton’s COVID-19 vaccine advocacy following her death at 80. The actor has now claimed he personally warned the country icon against supporting vaccination efforts and that she should have listened.
Among the celebrities who slammed him for his original post, the band Garbage point-blank told him to “f-ck off.”
Ricky Schroder has doubled down on his criticism of Dolly Parton’s vaccine advocacy just days after the country music legend’s death.
The “NYPD Blue” actor shared a clip on his Instagram Story in which Parton discusses her Moderna COVID-19 vaccination. Parton famously donated $1 million toward early coronavirus vaccine research.
“I warned Dolly to not support the Experiment,” Schroder wrote over the clip, according to Entertainment Weekly. He added that he “wished she listened,” alongside a frowning emoji.
Schroder previously played Parton’s father in the TV movies “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” and “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.”
Schroder Comes Under Fire For Political Dolly Parton Tribute
Schroder found himself embroiled in a heated internet backlash after using a memorial post for country music legend Dolly Parton to highlight his personal political grievances.
Following Parton’s passing at age 80, the “NYPD Blue” star took to social media to share a throwback photo of himself alongside the late icon.
However, it was the caption accompanying the image that quickly sparked heavy backlash.
“I didn’t 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 shared on Threads.
Dolly Parton Personally Chose Ricky Schroder To Play Her Father
Schroder famously portrayed Parton’s father, Robert Lee Parton, in the 2015 NBC television film “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” and its 2016 sequel, “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.”
He previously explained that the late “Jolene” singer herself had personally selected him for the role, noting at the time that he reminded her of her actual father.
“It started with Dolly, who was very hands-on in choosing the cast for her family,” Schroder said. “Then I heard from Dolly that I reminded her of her father Lee Parton.”
Fans And Celebrities Turn On Ricky Schroder Over Dolly Tribute
Regardless of the cordial professional relationship he had with Parton, fans and public figures were quick to call Schroder out for airing his ideological differences during a moment of global mourning.
Rock band Garbage gave a blunt and fiery two-word rebuttal, telling him to “f-ck off,” while Brandon Frankel, partner to Gabourey Sidibe, commented, “Way to ruin your tribute -sshole.”
Comedian Murray Hill wrote, “Guess you didn’t listen to her thoughts on not judging people and allowing people to be who they are. How lame to be divisive and hate-fueled in the same breath as someone who has done so much and is filled with love and empathy. No love like Christian hate.”
A Reddit user wrote, “Using someone’s death as an excuse to advocate for something they would have hated is pretty low, yeah.”
A second user fired, “If your ‘tribute’ includes telling the world how a person was wrong, then it isn’t a tribute, it’s a last dig.”
Dolly Parton Passed After A Private Battle With Cancer
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for the global icon from all quarters, including Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Jeff Bezos, Miley Cyrus, and a host of other Hollywood celebrities.
She has been celebrated not just for her hit songs, but also for her extensive philanthropy, including a famous $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center that helped with COVID-19 research.
A rep for the singer told PEOPLE that she passed after a “brief battle with cancer,” although its exact nature remains unclear. Days before the shocking news, TMZ reported that she was hospitalized with “kidney and autoimmune issues.”
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope, and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the reps told the news outlet.
They added, “Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones.”
