Forrie J. Smith claimed he lost his seat on a plane Saturday because he refused to sit next to a masked passenger.
The 65-year-old Yellowstone star, who is anti-vax, made the accusation on Instagram, telling his more than 508,000 Instagram followers his version of why he was removed from his flight.
“You know, my people on social media tell me you like me face to face, but you know what, I can’t say what I want face to face,” the bearded actor said to the camera with airport sounds on the background. “So, I just got kicked out of a plane.”
Not realizing which airport he was in, the Among Wolves actor asked, “Where the hell am I?”
Forrie J. Smith, 65, said he had to leave a flight in Houston on Saturday
A woman off camera answered Houston.
“Houston, Texas,” he repeated, then continued his claim that he was forced to leave the flight “because I didn’t feel comfortable sitting next to someone wearing a mask.” He did not say which airline he was trying to fly.
The Oak & Eden Whiskey employee, who seemed to slur his words slightly, admitted: ‘Yes, I have been drinking.’
“I’ve been at the airport for three hours, yes, I’ve been drinking, but I’m not drunk, but they threw me off the plane because I’m drunk.”
He then seemed to blame the audience, saying, “because y’all don’t stand up and tell everyone what nonsense this is.”
“I just told them I didn’t feel comfortable sitting next to someone who had to wear a mask,” he said, “and I’m off the plane.”
In the video, he wore a camouflage cap on his head, a black and white checked shirt and a forest green jacket.
He is best known for his role as Lloyd Pierce in the critically acclaimed drama Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser and Luke Grimes.
The actor is best known for his role as Lloyd Pierce in Yellowstone
The actor said he was told to leave the plane “because I didn’t feel comfortable sitting next to someone wearing a mask.”
Fans who saw the video were less than understanding of his stance against the mask.
“I cannot possibly understand why anyone else wearing a mask is so threatening to some people!!! Many people live with a loved one who has compromised immunity (e.g. cancer, heart disease) or they themselves may have compromised immunity,” one former follower wrote.
“How vulnerable are some people that a simple mask confuses them so much?” they asked. ‘It’s absolutely ridiculous!! While I appreciate Mr. Smith’s talent, it leaves me with no respect for him as a person. Unfollow!’
‘NGL…..lost some respect. What if this person was visiting a sick family member and was just being extra safe? Always be kind…. You never know what they’re going through,” one follower wrote.
Smith said the airline accused him of being drunk and that was why he was removed from the flight. “I’ve been at the airport for three hours, yes, I’ve been drinking, but I’m not drunk, but they threw me off the plane because I’m drunk,” he said into the camera
“Man up and admit that alcohol made you run and now you’re paying the price,” advised another.
The Centers for Disease Control has recommended wearing a mask while using public transport, including planes, due to the risk of flu, Covid and the respiratory virus RSV.
In 2022, he was unable to attend the SAG Awards because he did not receive a COVID shot.
At the time, he apologized to fans for not being able to attend because he “had not been vaccinated and it is a requirement to be vaccinated.”
“I am not vaccinated, I will not be vaccinated,” Smith added. “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 will never. I believe they compromise your immunity.”