The veteran performer has built a career spanning more than five decades, with over 180 acting credits to his name.
His signature role transformed him into an icon and made him one of the most familiar faces on 1980s television.
He later took on the role of father to one of pop culture’s most famous aliens.
In recent years, however, he has faced controversy, including accusations of racism after 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, the 66-year-old has been spotted during a rare outing in West Hollywood. Can you identify him?
This actor has been spotted during a rare outing in West Hollywood at age 66. Can you guess who he is?
It is John Schneider, the star of The Dukes of Hazzard and Smallville!
Schneider showed off his trademark shaggy blond hair while leaving Craig’s, a restaurant popular with celebrities.
He was accompanied by his wife, 59-year-old Dee Dee Schneider, as well as 91-year-old Canadian actress Ruta Lee.
Schneider became a household name playing Bo Duke in the beloved action-comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard, which ran from 1979 to 1985.
From 2001 to 2011, he played Jonathan Kent in Smallville—the stepfather of Clark Kent, better known as Superman, the alien hero from the planet Krypton.
Yet it is his more recent controversies that have kept Schneider in the headlines.
In February 2024, he drew criticism after comparing Beyoncé to a dog marking its territory when discussing her newly announced country album.
During an appearance on conservative network One America News, Schneider was asked about “leftist” musicians, including the then-45-year-old singer, who move between musical genres.
He is John Schneider, who starred in The Dukes of Hazzard! (Above, seen at the bottom alongside Tom Wopat)
EXPLORE MORE: Reckless Visitors Litter Yellowstone’s Iconic Thermal Pools
The actor displayed his signature shaggy blond hair while leaving celebrity-favorite restaurant Craig’s.
He was joined on the outing by his wife, 59-year-old Dee Dee Schneider, 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 comments drew the ire from Beyonce’s fans and many on social media at the time as many had branded the actor as racist.
The previous year, he was at the center of a Secret Service investigation after making a death threat against then President Biden.
Schneider’s claim to fame was for his portrayal of Bo Duke in iconic action comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard which aired from 1979 to 1985 (Above with Wopat and Catherine Bach)
He then portrayed Jonathan Kent, the stepfather to Clark Kent AKA Superman who was an alien from the planet Krypton, in television series Smallville which aired from 2001 to 2011 (Above with Annette O’Toole and Tom Welling)
In February 2024, Schneider was embroiled in controversy as he compared Beyonce to a dog marking its territory after she announced her country album (Above, Beyonce in LA in February 2017)
The previous year, he was at the center of a Secret Service investigation after making a death threat against then US President Joe Biden
Join the discussion
Should celebrities face public backlash for controversial views, or does everyone deserve a second chance?
He took to X In December 2023 to write: ‘Mr President, I believe you are guilty of treason and should be publicly hung. Your son too. Your response is..? Sincerely, John Schneider’
Schneider deleted the post, but not before TMZ reported on it.
He later denied that he was making a direct threat or advocating for violence as he eventually faced a preliminary investigation by the Secret Service.
Schneider married Dee Dee Sorvino, who is the widow of Paul Sorvino, in July 2024 as both had lost their spouses in the previous two years leading up to their marriage.
