Ricky Schroder Faces Backlash Over Divisive Dolly Parton Tribute

A message intended to honor country music legend Dolly Parton instead triggered widespread criticism after an actor who once played her father used the tribute to highlight political disagreements. As condolences arrived from public figures, entertainers and fans around the world following Parton’s death at 80, most focused on the warmth, generosity and lasting influence of the woman celebrated as the Queen of Country. One post, however, drew attention for a very different reason. Actor Ricky Schroder shared a photograph of himself with Parton after news of her passing. Schroder portrayed a fictionalized version of her father, Robert Lee Parton, in the television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors and its follow-up, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. Rather than limiting his farewell to their work together, he also brought up causes Parton had supported that he opposed. In the Instagram message, Schroder said he had disagreed with her public support for transgender people and Covid vaccines, but loved her regardless. He then thanked Parton for choosing him to be her on-screen father. The wording immediately upset many readers, who argued that a memorial was the wrong place to center ideological differences. One commenter called the message needlessly tacky toward someone remembered for loving people. Others asked why any disagreement had to be mentioned at all when the purpose of the post was supposed to be honoring her life. Several reactions made the same point in different ways: the tribute appeared to say more about Schroder than about Parton. One person described the added criticism as disrespectful, while another said he should simply have celebrated her memory. Well-known figures joined the response. Katie Couric reacted on Threads with a brief expression of disgust, and Boy George bluntly told Schroder to stop. Actor Jay Huguley questioned the phrase suggesting that Schroder loved Parton despite her beliefs, calling it an unusually self-focused way to remember her. Schroder, 56, worked beside Parton in both television films and referred to the role affectionately as being her “Movie Daddy.” His post indicated that he valued the opportunity even while choosing to emphasize their differences. Parton’s public record helps explain why that emphasis produced such a strong reaction. Across decades, she became known not only for her music and acting but also for philanthropy and support for communities that often faced exclusion. Her Imagination Library placed free books into the hands of millions of children. She also spoke in favor of LGBTQ+ equality and maintained a particularly devoted following among gay and transgender fans. Parton also made a major contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic. She donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for research that helped support development of the Moderna vaccine. After receiving the Moderna shot herself, she urged others not to hesitate. She even adapted the chorus of Jolene into a playful appeal encouraging vaccination, saying she was both old enough and sensible enough to get it. Parton explored LGBTQ+ themes in her work as well, including the song Travelin’ Thru, written for the 2005 film Transamerica, and repeatedly expressed acceptance throughout her career. Jane Fonda, Parton’s longtime friend and her co-star in 9 to 5, spoke directly to LGBTQ+ fans after the loss, assuring them that the singer had loved them. To critics of Schroder’s post, those positions were inseparable from the compassion they admired in Parton. The uproar was therefore less about whether two former co-stars had agreed on every issue and more about the choice to insert objections into a farewell. For many fans, a tribute should have centered the life Parton lived, the people she helped and the affection she inspired. By adding a list of disagreements, Schroder turned what could have been a simple remembrance into a debate, and the response showed how strongly admirers wanted her legacy of kindness to remain the focus.