Forrie J. Smith - The Authentic Cowboy Ranch Hand of Yellowstone

Introducing Forrie J. Smith - The Real Deal Cowboy

Forrie J. Smith is about as authentic of a cowboy as you can get. Known for portraying no-nonsense ranch foreman Lloyd Pierce on the hit show Yellowstone, Smith lives the real cowboy lifestyle when he's not in front of the camera.

Born in the small town of Helena, Montana in 1959, Forrie J. Smith grew up on a cattle and horse ranch. The western landscape and ranching culture shaped him from a young age. He has been riding horses since before he could walk and immersed himself into the cowboy way of life through the guidance of the ranch hands he looked up to.

Early Years on the Ranch

As a young boy on the ranch, Smith learned from some true western icons, including ranch foreman Burtron Davis and bronc rider Jonny Eagle. He quickly became adept at breaking horses thanks to their mentorship.

Smith later spent time living in the wilderness areas of Idaho, Wyoming, and New Mexico as a hunting and fishing guide. This further connected him to the land and frontier mentality. He became known across the region as an honest, hard-working cowboy – the type of reputation characteristic of his future Yellowstone character Lloyd.

Transition from Ranch Hand to Actor

His authentic demeanor and cowboy cred caught the eye of Hollywood in the late 1980s. Smith got into acting with small television roles here and there. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that his acting career really took off with appearances in major films like Joe Dirt and The Ridiculous 6.

In 2018, Smith achieved a career breakthrough playing Lloyd on the smash Paramount Network drama Yellowstone. His portrayal of the tough but fair ranch hand boss Lloyd Pierce has become a fan favorite. The role seems custom-made for him given Smith’s real-life background.

Life on the Ranch Today

When not on set filming Yellowstone, Forrie J. Smith maintains ranch properties in both New Mexico and Tennessee along with his fellow rancher and musician, Stacey Ketchum. Even after achieving fame and Hollywood success, Smith remains dedicated to the ranching and cowboy lifestyle.

Role as a Steward of the Land

Smith has a deep appreciation of both the beauty and harshness of ranch country landscapes. He sees himself as a steward of the land, caring for the herds, resources, and natural habitats that make up a working ranch. This aligns seamlessly with the character Lloyd and his dedication to protecting the Yellowstone Ranch on the show.

A day on Smith’s ranch may involve mending fences, moving cattle between grazing pastures, assisting with births of calves, rescuing animals in distress, repairing structures, battling tough terrain and weather, plus all the other hands-on duties that come with ranch ownership. Ranch life builds resilience, responsibility, and resourcefulness - traits Smith carries both on and off screen.

Passing Along the Cowboy Code

As an experienced horseman and rancher, Smith makes it a point to pass down knowledge to the next generation of young cowboys. That includes the cowboys in training who work on his ranches in New Mexico and Tennessee. In showcasing the day-to-day efforts behind raising cattle and horses, he helps continue the legacy of the western lifestyle.

Additionally, Smith regularly collaborates with fellow musicians and artists like friend Stacey Ketchum. Together they blend authentic ranch life imagery and cowboy themes into creative projects that turn even more fans onto the western culture Smith embodies. Through these collaborations they continue to stoke interest in the cowboy way of life.

So while his cowboy character Lloyd may be tough as nails on Yellowstone, the real-life Forrie J. Smith has a clear passion both on and off screen for keeping the ranching tradition alive. And he enjoys sharing all it has taught him over a lifetime as a steward of ranch lands across the American West.

FAQs

Where is Forrie J. Smith from originally?

Forrie Smith grew up on a cattle and horse ranch in the small town of Helena, Montana before moving around the Western states like Idaho, Wyoming, and New Mexico.

What ranches does Forrie J. Smith own?

Smith owns ranch properties in both New Mexico and Tennessee where he raises cattle and horses when not busy filming Yellowstone.

How much of Forrie J. Smith’s life is similar to his Yellowstone character?

There are many similarities between Smith and his character Lloyd Pierce given that they both live on and dedicate themselves to caring for ranch properties across tough landscapes.

What does Forrie J. Smith do to pass on cowboy culture?

He makes it a priority to mentor younger working cowboys on his ranches. Smith also collaborates on creative projects like music that showcase cowboy and ranch life.