Cowboy Heart Behind the Set: Yellowstone’s Lloyd Star Crafts the Epic Bunkhouse
Fans of Yellowstone can’t get enough of the Dutton Ranch—but the real magic happens off-screen too. Forrie J. Smith, who brings loyal ranch hand Lloyd to life, isn’t just acting out cowboy tales. He’s a true rancher and rodeo pro who poured his heart into building the show’s iconic bunkhouse. This spot, where the hands kick back with beers and brawls, feels alive because Smith helped shape it from the ground up. As the series wraps its final season, we take a peek at how one man’s grit turned a simple set into the beating heart of the show.
From Rodeo Rings to Hollywood Hills
Smith grew up roping calves and riding broncs in Texas, far from the bright lights of TV. After a broken leg sidelined him from rodeo work, he turned to acting to keep his horse fed. Landing the role of Lloyd in 2018 was like coming home, since the character mirrors Smith’s own life as a seasoned cowboy. On set, he doesn’t just memorize lines—he lives them. His son, Forrest, even stepped in as young Lloyd in flashbacks, adding a personal family touch. Smith’s familiarity with real bunkhouses, honed during cattle drives, shines through every dusty corner of the set.
Hands-On Help for Authentic Vibes
When the Yellowstone team dreamed up the bunkhouse, they turned to Smith for advice. Set decorator Carly Curry, herself a ranch owner, asked him how cowboys truly live, sleep, and scrap. Smith shared stories of cramped quarters filled with old boots, faded photos, and the smell of leather and sweat. He suggested worn card tables for poker nights and hooks for saddles that double as home decor. Curry says his input made the space so authentic that creator Taylor Sheridan added extra scenes there, transforming it from background to star. Other touches inspired by Smith included faded rodeo trophies on the walls, rough-hewn wood bunks modeled after cattle drive spots, and a poker table with burn marks from real-life bar fights he had witnessed.
Wild Stories That Leapt from Life to Screen
Smith’s tales didn’t stop at décor—they inspired some of the show’s wildest moments. Remember season two’s opener, when Rip and Kayce unleash a bull in a bar to break up a bunkhouse brawl? That came straight from Smith’s memory of a real rodeo dust-up gone wrong. He told Sheridan about cowboys using livestock to settle scores, and the moment hit the script. These details add edge and humor, blending raw ranch life with compelling drama. Smith’s presence keeps the show honest, reminding everyone that Yellowstone isn’t just entertainment—it’s a nod to real-life cowboys.
Legacy of a True Wrangler
As Yellowstone rides into the sunset after five seasons, Smith’s influence on the bunkhouse cements his place as more than an actor. He’s the cowboy heart keeping the series grounded amid family feuds and land wars. Curry credits him for making the set a favorite hangout, where cast and crew feel the pull of the West. Off-camera, Smith still ranches and rides, passing his knowledge to his children like Forrest. Fans tuning in for the finale will notice those personal touches—a quiet thank-you to the man who made the bunkhouse feel like family. In a town full of make-believe, Smith is the genuine article, proving one cowboy’s touch can rope in millions.