'The Dukes of Hazzard's John Schneider Talks 'Grief' Ahead of First Christmas Since Wife's Death
John Schneider and Alicia Allain
John Schneider is bracing himself for the upcoming holidays, which will be his first Christmas since the death of his wife Alicia Allain.
The Dukes of Hazzard star, 63, recently opened up to Fox News in a new interview about going through this year's holiday season without the company of his wife, who died in February at age 53 following a battle with breast cancer.
While Schneider plans to spend the holidays with his in-laws and Allain's daughter, he told the outlet, "it's going to be rough" without his late wife.
"Grief is a funny thing," he added to the outlet. "Grief will sneak up on you and smack you in the back of the head. Truly, when you least expect it. But usually right as you're having a great time."
"It's almost like grief says, 'No, no, no, no, no. You're not going to smile today,'" he continued, "'You're not going to laugh today.'"
But nevertheless, the actor is hoping to "make the best" of his situation, after coming to accept that "grief will never go away."
"It's just something we learn to carry. And I'm learning," he said. "Not a lesson I ever wanted. Not a skill I ever wanted to acquire. But, you know, here it is."
Earlier this month, Schneider shared a vulnerable message with his social media followers, announcing that he is deciding to "choose joy," during this holiday season, while at the same time "not trying to hide [his] grief."
"There is power in the words 'Yes, I’m grieving… but I’m still here and I’m going to make the best of it,'" he wrote in his Dec. 8 Instagram post. "Today I am going to use my weakness to help someone get stronger…And in so doing…I will get stronger myself."
