Photo: Paramount Network / Courtesy Everett Collection
Forrie J. Smith will skip this year’sScreen Actors Guild Awardsdue to the show’s COVID protocols which require all attendees to show proof of vaccination.
TheYellowstoneactor, 62, said he refuses to receive a COVID vaccination in a since-deletedInstagramvideo, according toVariety.
“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.”
Smith 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.”
Reps for Smith did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Smith plays senior ranch hand, Lloyd Pierce, on the Paramount Network series. He was promoted as a series regular in season 3 after having a recurring role for the first two seasons.
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In addition to Smith, Kelsey Asbille, Wes Bentley, Ryan Bingham, Gil Birmingham, Ian Bohen, Eden Brolin, Kevin Costner, Hugh Dillon, Luke Grimes, Hassie Harrison, Cole Hauser, Jen Landon, Finn Little, Brecken Merrill, Will Patton, Piper Perabo, Kelly Reilly, Denim Richards, Taylor Sheridan andJefferson Whiteare nominated as part of theYellowstoneensemble.
TheSAG Awardsare requiring all ticketed attendees to “show proof of vaccination plus booster shot (if eligible), proof of negative lab-based COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours of event, and negative antigen (rapid) test the day of the event,” according to the event’sofficial website.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards are set to take place on Feb. 27 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.
source: people.com
