He is a veteran performer with more than five decades in the entertainment industry and over 180 credits to his name.
The part that made him famous turned him into an icon and one of the most instantly recognizable faces on 1980s television.
He later played the father of one of the most famous aliens in pop-culture history.
In recent years, however, he has attracted controversy after being accused of racism for criticizing Beyoncé’s move into country music.
The conservative actor also targeted former US President Joe Biden, prompting an investigation by the Secret Service.
Now 66, he has been spotted on a rare outing in West Hollywood. Can you guess who he is?
The 66-year-old actor was recently spotted on a rare outing in West Hollywood. Can you guess who he is?
He is John Schneider, the star of The Dukes of Hazzard and Smallville!
Schneider showed off his trademark shaggy blond hair while leaving the celebrity-favorite restaurant Craig’s.
He was accompanied by his wife, Dee Dee Schneider, 59, and 91-year-old Canadian actress Ruta Lee.
Schneider became a household name playing Bo Duke in the iconic action-comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard, which ran from 1979 to 1985.
From 2001 to 2011, he played Jonathan Kent, the stepfather of Clark Kent—better known as Superman—in the television series Smallville. Superman was an alien from the planet Krypton.
In more recent years, though, it has been Schneider’s controversies that have kept him in the headlines.
In February 2024, he sparked outrage by comparing Beyoncé to a dog marking its territory after she announced her country album.
Appearing on the conservative network One America News, Schneider was asked about “leftist” musicians—including the singer, now 45—who move into different musical genres.
John Schneider starred as Bo Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard (above, pictured at the bottom alongside Tom Wopat)
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The actor displayed his signature shaggy blond hair while leaving celebrity-favorite restaurant Craig’s
Schneider was joined on the outing by his wife, Dee Dee Schneider, 59, and 91-year-old Canadian actress Ruta Lee
“The lefties in the entertainment industry just won’t leave any area alone, right? They just have to seize control over every aspect, don’t they?” the host asked Schneider, who is also a country musician.
Schneider responded: “They’ve got to make their mark, just like a dog in a dog walk park. You know, every dog has to mark every tree, right? So that’s what’s going on here.”
His remarks angered Beyoncé’s fans and drew widespread criticism on social media, with many accusing the actor of racism.
The year before, Schneider became the subject of a Secret Service investigation after making a death threat against then-President Biden.
Schneider rose to fame as Bo Duke in the action-comedy classic The Dukes of Hazzard, which aired from 1979 to 1985 (above, with Wopat and Catherine Bach)
He later played Jonathan Kent, Clark Kent—also known as Superman’s—stepfather in Smallville, which ran from 2001 to 2011 (above, with Annette O’Toole and Tom Welling)
Schneider caused controversy in February 2024 by comparing Beyoncé to a dog marking its territory after she announced her country album (above, Beyoncé in Los Angeles in February 2017)
The previous year, Schneider became the focus of a Secret Service investigation after threatening then-US President Joe Biden
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In December 2023, Schneider wrote on X: “Mr President, I believe you are guilty of treason and should be publicly hung. Your son too. Your response is..? Sincerely, John Schneider.”
He deleted the post, but TMZ reported on it before it was removed.
Schneider later denied that he had issued a direct threat or encouraged violence, although the Secret Service ultimately conducted a preliminary investigation.
Schneider married Dee Dee Sorvino, the widow of actor Paul Sorvino, in July 2024. Both had lost their spouses in the two years before their wedding.
