What Happened to Richard Bartlett Schroder?

Ricky Schroder, born Richard Bartlett Schroder on April 13, 1970, rose to fame as a child actor, notably winning a Golden Globe for his debut in the 1979 film 'The Champ' and later starring in the popular sitcom 'Silver Spoons' from 1982 to 1987. As he matured, Schroder made a conscious effort to shed his child star image, dropping the 'y' from his first name to be billed as Rick Schroder and seeking more serious roles. This transition was solidified by his acclaimed performance in the Western miniseries 'Lonesome Dove' in 1989 and a significant role as Detective Danny Sorenson in the police drama 'NYPD Blue' from 1998 to 2001.

Beyond his acting career, Schroder has become increasingly known for his outspoken conservative political views and activism. He spoke at the 2000 Republican National Convention and has long identified as a Republican, though he stated in 2010 that he didn't align with either major party. His personal life has also seen significant changes; he divorced Andrea Bernard in 2016 after 24 years of marriage, with whom he shares four children. In 2019, he faced two arrests for suspicion of domestic violence, though no charges were ultimately filed.

A key turning point in his public persona as an activist came in November 2020 when he contributed $150,000 to the bail fund for Kyle Rittenhouse, a teenager charged and later acquitted in the shooting deaths of two people during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. This was followed by a viral confrontation in May 2021 with a Costco employee over mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, where Schroder expressed strong anti-mandate sentiments and urged a boycott of the store. In March 2022, while traveling with the U.S. freedom convoy, he again made headlines for calling a security guard a 'Nazi' for enforcing mask rules at the Dwight D. Eisenhower museum.

In his personal life, Schroder remarried Julie Trammel on July 9, 2025. As of July 2026, Schroder remains highly active in conservative circles. He and his wife attended the preliminary hearing in Provo, Utah, for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in September 2025. Schroder publicly urged Robinson to confess to the crime, pleading for him to seek forgiveness. Additionally, a video resurfaced in July 2026 featuring Schroder discussing a disturbing alleged ritual he witnessed as a teenager, which he claims shaped his belief that a secret cult has infiltrated the U.S. government. He also launched the Reel American Heroes Foundation in January 2024, aiming to produce positive, value-driven content and counteract mainstream media narratives. His net worth is estimated at $25 million as of December 2025, accumulated through his extensive career in acting, directing, producing, and real estate investments.