Within hours of the announcement that Dolly Parton had died on August 25, 2026, tributes began pouring in from musicians, actors, politicians, and millions of fans around the world. Among them was a post from actor Ricky Schroder, who had played Dolly Parton’s father in two NBC television films. But instead of a straightforward farewell, Schroder’s tribute included a political qualifier that turned his comment section into a firestorm and put his name back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The backlash was immediate and intense. It also sent a wave of searches for basic biographical information about Schroder: who he is married to now, what happened to his first marriage, and why his name has become associated with controversy over the past several years.
Here is everything worth knowing about Ricky Schroder, his current wife Julie Trammel, his first marriage and divorce, his career from child star to conservative activist, and the Dolly Parton tribute that reignited public criticism.
What Did Ricky Schroder Say About Dolly Parton?
On August 25, 2026, following news of Parton’s death at age 80, Schroder posted a photo of himself standing alongside Parton on his Instagram and Threads accounts. Both are smiling in the image, which appears to be from the production of one of their two films together.
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The caption read: “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.”
The post drew sharp criticism across social media. Commenters argued that a tribute to someone who had just died was not the appropriate moment to air political disagreements, particularly on subjects as personal as transgender rights and vaccination.
Brandon Frankel, a music industry executive who is married to actress Gabourey Sidibe, was among those who responded directly in the comments, calling Schroder’s post inappropriate. Numerous other users expressed similar frustration, with one writing: “In a world where the Ricky Schroders have the loudest voices, remember the Dolly Partons who have the kindest hearts.”
The backlash made Schroder’s name trend across multiple platforms, prompting widespread searches about his personal life and career history.
Who Is Ricky Schroder Married To?
Ricky Schroder is currently married to Julie Trammel, a theater actress. The couple wed on July 9, 2025, in an intimate beach ceremony at the Four Seasons resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They were the only two people present at the ceremony. Julie has since changed her last name to Schroder.
They announced the wedding publicly on August 20, 2025, sharing photos on Instagram showing them in wedding attire, holding hands on the beach. Julie wore a sleeveless white tulle gown with delicate beading and carried a bouquet of white flowers. Schroder wore a dark gray suit paired with casual black sneakers.
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In the comments, Schroder wrote: “I didn’t want the evening to ever end… so I married you.”
Julie captioned the photos with a verse from the Bible: “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6).
The couple obtained their marriage license at the Ouray County courthouse in Colorado on July 2, 2025. They originally intended to marry there on the Fourth of July, but the courthouse was closed for the holiday, so they pivoted to a beach ceremony in Mexico.
Julie told People that the couple’s decision to marry alone was intentional. “Our hearts are grateful,” they said in a joint statement.
How They Met
Julie first appeared on Schroder’s social media in early 2024, when the couple traveled together to Israel and shared photos at historic sites. Their engagement was announced in July 2024, when Julie posted a video of herself playing the 1971 Bill Evans song “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” on the piano. As the camera panned to the piano keys, a diamond engagement ring was visible on her left hand. She captioned the post: “I’ll be doing mine with Ricky.” Schroder reshared the clip on his Instagram Story, adding: “I love Julie.”
Beyond her public presence alongside Schroder, Julie has maintained a relatively private profile. She is identified as a theater actress, though her specific stage credits and professional background have not been widely covered.
First Marriage: Andrea Bernard Schroder
Schroder was previously married to Andrea Bernard. The two met in 1990 while Schroder was filming a movie in Calgary, Canada. They married in 1992.
The couple had four children together: Holden, Luke, Cambrie, and Faith. Andrea filed for divorce in 2016, citing irreconcilable differences. The marriage had lasted approximately 24 years.
Since the divorce, Andrea has maintained a public presence on social media. Schroder has spoken publicly about the importance of his four children in his life across multiple interviews.
Who Is Ricky Schroder?
Richard Bartlett Schroder was born on April 13, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York City, and raised on Staten Island. He is the son of Diane Schroder, who worked at AT&T, and Richard Bartlett Schroder, Sr., who worked at the same company. He has an older sister named Dawn.
Schroder’s mother began taking him to photo shoots when he was three months old. By the time he was a young child, he had already appeared in numerous commercials. His path to Hollywood began earlier than most, and his career has spanned more than four decades.
Child Stardom: The Champ and Silver Spoons
Schroder’s career began with the 1979 film The Champ, in which he starred alongside Jon Voight as T.J. Flynn, the young son of a washed-up boxer. His performance earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best New Male Star, making him the youngest male actor to win a Golden Globe at age nine. The film earned over $47 million at the worldwide box office.
In 1982, at age 12, he was cast as Ricky Stratton on the NBC sitcom Silver Spoons. The show ran for five seasons (1982-1987) and 116 episodes, turning Schroder into one of the most recognizable child actors of the 1980s.
Adult Career: Lonesome Dove and NYPD Blue
Unlike many child stars, Schroder successfully transitioned to adult roles. In 1989, he appeared as Newt Dobbs in the acclaimed Western miniseries Lonesome Dove, alongside Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones. The role demonstrated his range and established his credibility as an adult actor.
In 1995, he played Lt. Paul Hellerman in the submarine thriller Crimson Tide, alongside Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman.
From 1998 to 2001, he played Detective Danny Sorenson on the ABC police drama NYPD Blue, appearing across three seasons. The role is widely considered his most significant adult television work.
Directing and Producing
Schroder moved behind the camera with his 2004 feature film Black Cloud, which he wrote, directed, and starred in. The film won awards on the festival circuit. He also directed the music video for Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss’s “Whiskey Lullaby,” which earned him Director of the Year at the CMT Music Awards in 2005.
He later produced The Fighting Season, a war-based docuseries filmed in Afghanistan, and launched Ricky Schroder Productions.
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors
In 2015, Schroder was cast as Robert Lee Parton, Dolly Parton’s father, in the NBC made-for-television film Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors. He reprised the role in the 2016 sequel, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.
Both films were major ratings successes for NBC. During production, Parton sent Schroder a personal letter commending his portrayal of her late father, which he has spoken about publicly as a meaningful gesture. Parton personally selected him for the role.
Reel American Heroes Foundation
In early 2024, Schroder launched the Reel American Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit organization aimed at producing films, documentaries, and television series that promote what he has described as patriotic and traditional values. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he explained that the foundation was partly motivated by what he saw as Hollywood’s increasing focus on diversity guidelines and progressive messaging.
“I never fit in,” he said of his relationship with the entertainment industry. “Don’t lose sight of the Lord. Because in Hollywood, it’s easy to lose sight of the Lord there.”
A Pattern of Public Controversy
The Dolly Parton tribute is not the first time Schroder’s public statements have drawn significant backlash. His name has been linked to several high-profile controversies over the past several years.
Kyle Rittenhouse Bail (2020)
In November 2020, Schroder contributed an estimated $150,000 toward the $2 million bail for Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager charged with shooting three people, killing two, during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Schroder, alongside MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, helped fund Rittenhouse’s release.
Attorney Lin Wood publicly thanked Schroder and shared a photo of him posing with Rittenhouse after his release. The image circulated widely and drew intense criticism.
Schroder defended the decision in interviews, saying he believed Rittenhouse was innocent and had acted in self-defense. Rittenhouse was ultimately acquitted on all charges in November 2021.
The backlash against Schroder was severe enough that he reported online threats to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies determined that the comments did not meet the legal threshold for criminal threats, but a suspicious circumstances report was filed.
Domestic Violence Arrests (2019)
In April and May 2019, Schroder was arrested twice on suspicion of domestic violence within a 30-day period. Both arrests involved an alleged altercation with his then-girlfriend at his Malibu home.
He was booked at the Malibu Lost Hills police station and released on $50,000 bail after the second arrest. Prosecutors ultimately declined to file charges in both cases, citing insufficient evidence and an uncooperative victim.
Schroder later said the arrests damaged his reputation unfairly. “It sucked because everybody thought I was a woman beater, and I’m not a woman beater,” he told the New York Post. “I was tried and convicted in the court of the media.”
Ricky Schroder’s Net Worth
Estimates of Schroder’s net worth vary by source. Celebrity Net Worth places it at approximately $25 million, while other outlets estimate between $24 million and $40 million. His wealth comes from several sources: his decades-long acting career spanning television and film, directing and producing credits, residuals from syndicated shows like Silver Spoons and NYPD Blue, and real estate investments.
Notably, Schroder sold a 30-acre ranch estate for $9.3 million in 2019. He has maintained real estate holdings in both California and Colorado.
FAQ
Who is Ricky Schroder married to now?
Ricky Schroder is married to theater actress Julie Trammel, who now goes by Julie Schroder. They married on July 9, 2025, in a private beach ceremony at the Four Seasons in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They announced the wedding publicly on August 20, 2025.
What did Ricky Schroder say about Dolly Parton?
On August 25, 2026, following Parton’s death at age 80, Schroder posted a tribute on Instagram and Threads that included the line: “I didn’t agree with her advocating for Transgender & Covid Vaccine support… but Loved her anyway.” The political qualifier sparked significant backlash.
Why is Ricky Schroder being criticized?
Schroder faced criticism for inserting political disagreements into his tribute to Dolly Parton on the day of her death. Many felt the post was an inappropriate use of a memorial to air grievances about transgender advocacy and COVID-19 vaccination.
Was Ricky Schroder married before?
Yes. Schroder was previously married to Andrea Bernard from 1992 to 2016. They have four children: Holden, Luke, Cambrie, and Faith. Andrea filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
What is Ricky Schroder known for?
Schroder is known for his role as Ricky Stratton on the 1980s sitcom Silver Spoons, his Golden Globe-winning performance in the 1979 film The Champ, his role as Newt Dobbs in Lonesome Dove, and his portrayal of Detective Danny Sorenson on NYPD Blue (1998-2001). He also played Dolly Parton’s father in two NBC television films.
What is Ricky Schroder’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated between $24 million and $40 million, depending on the source. His wealth comes from acting, directing, producing, residuals, and real estate investments.
How did Ricky Schroder know Dolly Parton?
Parton personally cast Schroder as her father, Robert Lee Parton, in the 2015 NBC film Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors and its 2016 sequel. She sent him a personal letter during filming praising his portrayal.
Did Ricky Schroder help bail out Kyle Rittenhouse?
Yes. In November 2020, Schroder contributed an estimated $150,000 toward Kyle Rittenhouse’s $2 million bail. He defended the decision publicly, saying he believed Rittenhouse acted in self-defense. Rittenhouse was later acquitted.
Also Read: Dolly Parton’s Health Issues: Kidney Stones, Autoimmune Problems, Missed Dollywood Events
Last Updated on August 26, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
