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‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Star John Schneider Explained Why He Opened a Movie Studio in Louisiana

John Schneider made a name for himself on CBS’s “Dukes of Hazzard.” He’s parlayed that success into helping boost Louisiana’s movie industry.

Schneider, during a 2014 interview with Larry Franks alongside costar Tom Wopat, talks about opening up a movie studio.

“The talent pool there is great in regard to crew,” he said. “There’s a lot of equipment there, lighting, camera packages, all that kind of stuff. The actor talent in Louisiana is fantastic. And then there’s the landscape is beautiful. My place has a river and a lake and a swamp, pine trees, and bamboo.”

‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Star Says Movie Studio Land Has Different Locations

Schneider said the land where his movie studio is located is varied. “You can park your truck in one spot, shoot many different locations, and not have to leave,” Schneider, who played Bo Duke on “Dukes of Hazzard,” said.

“Which is the independent filmmaker’s dream,” he said. “And there’s a 35 percent tax credit, which a lot of people have but it doesn’t come back to you in a timely fashion.”

Schneider also points out that the 35 percent tax credit comes back so quickly in Louisiana. The “Dukes of Hazzard” star said that it can be applied to a film’s post-production activities.

“Once you spend it, as long as you cross your t’s and dot your i’s, you’ve got everything legal,” he said, “then you get it right back and you can apply it to the film you’re actually shooting.”

Schneider Likes Helping Other Filmmakers See Their Dreams Come True

From his perspective, Schneider said the film studio is great “because I’m someone who came to Louisiana to stay there, to live, and to make movie after movie after movie. And help other people do the same thing. And they know that.”

Schneider, 61, is originally from Mount Kisco, N.Y. Besides “Dukes of Hazzard,” he also spent 10 seasons playing Jonathan Kent on “Smallville.”

During another interview on Prime Time Country in 1996, Schneider talked about the importance of a younger audience having the ability to watch a show with some solid messages in it.

“In years since ‘Dukes’- one of the last few shows you could sit down and watch as a family was ‘Dukes of Hazzard,’” Schneider said. “It was entertaining. But there was- where else do you learn to say grace before your meal and where else do you learn to say ‘yes sir’ and ‘yes ma’am?’”

“Dukes of Hazzard” was appropriate enough for adults and kids alike. While the car chases didn’t set the best example, Schneider justified it easily.

“And we did have the cars and all but that was just good old-fashioned fun,” he said.

Fun for some good ol’ boys like the Dukes.