Yellowstone'sForrie J. Smith Says He Was ‘Kicked Off’ Plane for Refusing to Sit Next to Passenger in Mask

Mar. 15, 2025

Forrie J. Smith recalls being “kicked off” an airplane in Houston.Photo:Forrie J. Smith/Instagram

Forrie J. Smith/Instagram

Forrie J. Smithis claiming he was “kicked off” a flight after he refused to sit next to a passenger in a face mask.

TheYellowstoneactor, 65, who plays Lloyd Pierce on the Paramount+ series, shared a detailed recap of his version of events in a video posted to hisInstagramon Sunday.

“I just got kicked off a plane in . . . where the hell am I at?” he begins in the video. Someone off camera then reminds him what city he’s in. “Houston, Texas, because I told them I didn’t feel comfortable sitting next to somebody with a mask on.”

He adds that he had consumed alcohol prior to filming the video.

“Yeah, I’ve been drinking — I’ve been sitting in the airport for three hours, yeah I’m drinking — but I ain’t drunk,” he says.

“They’ve thrown me off the plane because I’m drunk, because you people won’t stand up and tell everybody what bulls— this is,” the actor continues. “I just told them I didn’t feel comfortable sitting next to somebody that had to wear a mask, and I’m off the plane.”

In the caption, he wrote, “You need to hear this story.”

The actor did not disclose what airline he was attempting to fly.

“So drunk you don’t even know where you are? I don’t know man, maybe it’s time to travel in your own private jet if you have a phobia of masks,” one user commented.

Another questioned, “Why would you feel uncomfortable sitting next to a masked person?”

Meanwhile, a different comment pointed out, “You didn’t want to sit next to a mask-wearer. And now you’re not. So …”

Others felt that he simply failed to take into account the needs of potentially “immunocompromised people” who need to wear masks to protect themselves or loved ones, noting he has “no idea what they are wearing it for.”

A representative for Paramount+ did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Forrie J. Smith in ‘Yellowstone’ season 3.Cam McLeod/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Cam McLeod/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Smith has previously beenopen about his stance on certain protocolsfollowing the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, he was prohibited from attending theScreen Actors Guild Awardsas all attendees needed to show proof of vaccination. According toVariety, the actor shared his opinion on getting vaccinated in a since-deleted Instagram video.

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“I want to apologize to y’all for not being at the Screen Actors Guild Awards,” he said in the clip. “I mean no offense to anyone. I’m not vaccinated, and it’s a requirement to be vaccinated.”

He added, “I’m not vaccinated, I will not get vaccinated. I haven’t been vaccinated since I was a little kid. I don’t vaccinate my dogs, I don’t vaccinate my horses. I’ve never had a flu shot. I never will. I believe they compromise your immunities…It’s just my beliefs. I just don’t believe in that stuff. Whatever.”

source: people.com