The real cowboy behind Yellowstone’s Lloyd Pierce

Forrie Smith shares his story about breaking into Hollywood and how he balances his ranch life with acting

Forrie Smith has captured the attention of audiences with his rugged charm, scruffy voice and iconic mustache as the hit tv show “Yellowstone” character Lloyd Pierce.

Despite the allure and fame in Hollywood, Smith has remained grounded in his rich rodeo and ranching legacy. He juggles his demanding acting career, community involvement and ranch life.

Born and raised in Montana, Smith said he had his fair share of ranch chores as a young man. Growing up, before school and after school he had to tend to the animals before anything else. Decades later his priorities haven’t changed.

“I clean my own stalls. I feed my own horses. I take care of all that stuff,” Smith said.

When not filming, he can be found dedicating his time to his cattle ranch in Oklahoma or at his tranquil adobe in San Acacia, Socorro County.

No matter where he has lived or as the years have gone by he said he has remained committed to his belief in community service and helping others.

“I feel that it’s every person’s responsibility to try and make the world a better place every day,” Smith said, “ I don’t know where it come from. But even when I was living in my car and I didn’t even have a place to live, I always picked up trash, opened doors for people, smile. I always dressed as nice as I can. I just always felt that way.”

He said rural America feeds America and he will continue advocating for farmers and ranchers. He has not been shy to use his platform support ranchers and encourage youth groups such as 4H.

“You know, the more the more the world gives you, the more you should give back. I just feel that we need to help other people.” Smith said.

In Hollywood, one of Smith’s challenges was the expectation for actors to be available on short notice.

“They’re used to them actors in Hollywood that are sitting around waiting for the phone. So you know, the first couple years I would say ‘You guys can’t call me today to be in tomorrow. I got horses, I got cows, I got dogs. You just can’t do this’,” Smith said.

After the second year on Yellowstone he made some adjustments to his contract to prioritize and protect his lifestyle.

Working as a cowboy on the set of “Yellowstone” creates a unique dynamic. Smith embraces this, sharing tips and good-natured fun with his fellow actors.

“I tease them about the way they ride, Cole (Houser) has one arm out there and I’m like what are you doing trying to fly?,” Smith said with a hearty laugh.

Smith has been known for contributing to the authenticity of Yellowstone. He said when he first joined the crew Kevin Costner and Cole Houser would ask him questions about cowboying.

He told them the story about how he was out with his grandfather working with their cattle and his grandfather said that at .39 cents a pound they weren’t going to break even.

“I asked my granddad, why are we doing it? And he said We’re helping feed America. We’re helping feed our country. That’s why we’re doing it. So, I shared that with Kevin and Cole to give them a little insight into the ranch world.” Smith said.

Breaking into Hollywood

As a young man Smith had his eyes on rodeo nationals when opportunity came knocking at the door.

“An old rodeo cowboy from Montana come by and stop to see mom and he said ‘Man with your look, and as good as you are with horses and stuff, you need to come with me I’ll introduce you to the movies’,” Smith said.

At first Smith said he resisted because he was in the top 25 rodeo they year before and felt confident he was going to make rodeo nationals. But Smith also had to consider the hospital bills he had accumulated from rodeo injuries.

He ultimately decided to at least check it out and that’s how he landed his first job in the movie business on the pre-production of “Three Amigos” starring Chevy Chase, Martin Short and Steve Martin.

“They hired me right off as an expert horseman at $150 a day. Well, I was only making $10 an hour, punching nails, 10 hours a day. That’s 100 bucks, right? And then taxes. So I was like, oh yeah. Well, let me try that,” Smith said.

Smith was content as a stunt man and enjoyed working with horses but Hollywood had other plans for him.

He recalled on one small acting role he had the director took him aside because he was concerned that with Smith’s voice would overshadow the bad guy in the film. Smith was told instead of speaking his lines he could only use body expressions and hand movements.

“When he told me that I shrugged my shoulders. He goes, ‘Yeah, just like that’,” Smith said.

The director was impressed with his abilities but encouraged him to take acting classes.

“He told me, “With that voice and your look. You’re gonna be able to do all right as an actor too. I told him I don’t want to do that. I just been acting my way in that a bad situations all my life I don’t need any acting lessons,” Smith said.

In 1988 Smith made his way back to Albuquerque while working on the film “Gambler III”.

“I got in with a bunch of rodeo guys I knew, and got to hanging out over there working. There was a big-time Hollywood acting coach who moved out here, Lawrence Parks,” Smith said, “He got tired of the Hollywood scene and moved there to open an acting school."

Smith said he was grateful to be accepted by Parks who was picky about who he worked with.

“I learned how to break down a script and hit my mark, you know, all the basic stuff,” Smith said, “And I learned tricks to stay in character. You know, sometimes you work a couple days here, and then you’re off for a week or two weeks. Then you got to come back and you got to be that guy again,”

Over his career Smith has worked on dozens of films and tv shows over the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s.

But nothing would compare to his role on “Yellowstone”

“But of course, ‘Yellowstone’ would have to be my favorite. I was paid millions of dollars, and, you know, gave me this platform to be able to change some things in the world,” Smith said.

To his fans he said he is grateful for their support and encourages locals to come out as extras in an upcoming film with parts to be filmed at the Socorro Plaza in January.

“We’re going to use really cool spots in town and maybe bring some people, more people, that can build our workforce back up,” Smith said.