Actor and country singer John Schneider, whose Christian-film credits include 2012’s “October Baby,” is mourning the death of his wife, Alicia Allain. The 53-year-old Allain, who died Feb. 21, was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago, but no cause of death has been provided.
Allain, married to Schneider since 2019, was a filmmaker and producer. The couple collaborated on films—including last year’s “To Die For“—and more than 100 songs.
John Schneider: ‘Hug Those You Love Tight’
In tributes posted online, John Schneider calls Allain by her nickname, “Smile.” He writes: “My beautiful Smile is pain free, living in her new body alongside Jesus.” After asking for privacy, the 62-year-old actor adds, “Hug those you love tight and let them know how you feel. We always did.”
Schneider, whose breakout TV role was Bo Duke in “The Dukes of Hazzard,” had been married twice before and went through an “awful” years-long divorce before marrying Allain. In January 2020, while promoting his memoir “My Life, My Way,” Schneider appeared on “Fox & Friends” with Allain, calling her his “miracle.” During that interview, the couple revealed Allain had stage 4 breast cancer, and at the time of her diagnosis “was three years into a five-year shelf life.”
After conducting research, Allain turned to keto, CBD oil, and minerals, saying her PET scans indicated those treatments worked. The couple then began marketing a brand of CBD products. “Obviously I’m not doctor,” Schneider told the “Fox & Friends” hosts, “but I believe that this is such a natural element that when you take it, your body says, ‘Ahh.’”
Actor Thanks God for ‘The Gift’ of His Wife
Allain’s obituary describes her as “a force that inspired others,” “kind and generous to all she met,” “very protective” of her family, and “a fighter until the end” It adds: “In lieu of flowers, please say prayers for her surviving family, tell someone you love that you love them in her honor, hug them and hold them tight.”
On Valentine’s Day, Schneider posted this request on Facebook: “Need everyone to pray for strength and willingness to start Physical Therapy for my Smile. She’s got some hard work ahead of her but anyone who has met her knows she is ‘As tough as a Waffle House Steak’ and is up to the challenge.”
After Allain’s death, the grieving actor describes feeling “broken” and says he’ll “never be the same.” Schneider writes: “Alicia was the fuel that ran my biggest dreams. The inspiration behind every creative thought. The very fabric of my soul. The glue that held me together.”
He also thanks the Lord “for sharing the gift of Alicia with me” and says he might change the name of his Louisiana studio store to Miss Alicia’s. “I’m sure my mom would understand,” adds Schneider.
