Ricky Schroder: From child star to Hollywood cult!

Ricky Schroder: From child star to Hollywood cult!

Richard “Ricky” Bartlett Schroder, born April 13, 1970, is not only an American actor but also a filmmaker whose career spanned from early childhood to adulthood. Having become famous as one of the biggest child stars, he received a Golden Globe in 1980 at the age of just 9 for his impressive screen debut in “The Champ”. That same year, his role in “The Little Lord” brought him national fame. This film, which still airs on television at Christmas time, is considered a classic and cemented its status in the entertainment industry. Schweizer Illustrierte reports that the “Young Artist Award” is given to talented children and young people in film and TV, with Drew Barrymore as one of the earliest winners, receiving the award at just 6 years old.

After his early success in children's roles, Schroder starred in the popular sitcom "Silver Spoons" in 1982, which aired until 1987. The young actor, who was born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island, had the talent to find recognition in more mature roles later in his career. These include notable appearances in the miniseries “Lonesome Dove” (1989) and in the series “NYPD Blue,” which ran from 1998 to 2001. Wikipedia documents that Schroder also made his directorial debut in 2004 with the film “Black Cloud” and has since produced several films and series, including “Locker 13” and the documentary “The Fighting Season”.

A versatile actor and filmmaker

Schroder, who appeared in numerous catalogs and commercials as a child, encountered challenges in the film industry throughout his youth. After “Silver Spoons,” he had a hard time finding suitable roles, which led to a push to establish himself as an adult actor. He attended Mesa State College in Colorado after graduating and worked hard to get into show business.

Despite his difficulties in adapting to adult roles, he achieved some notable return successes. His role in “Too Young the Hero” (1988) and continued guest appearances in various TV series helped to revitalize his career. His performances in “Lonesome Dove” and its sequel enabled him to make a successful return to the screens.

Personal life and controversies

Apart from his acting career, Schroder is also known for his personal life. He has four children with his first wife, Andrea Bernard, whom he married in 1992, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2016. In July 2025 he married again, this time to Julie Trammel. He is also active in politics and identifies as a Republican. Schroder spoke at the 2000 Republican National Convention.

However, his name was not only in the news in positive contexts. He was arrested twice for domestic violence in 2019, but no charges were filed. He also made headlines in 2020 when he donated $150,000 to Kyle Rittenhouse's bail. He also found himself in controversy in 2021 when he harassed a Costco employee about the mask requirement. Wikipedia also mentions that in 2022 he made rude comments to a security guard at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum regarding the mask requirement.