Actress and Music Legend Dolly Parton Dies Aged 80

From her iconic music career to beloved roles in ‘Nine to Five’ and ‘Steel Magnolias,’ Parton leaves behind a legacy that transcended country music.

Dolly Parton performs at the Academy Award during the 78th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, March 5, 2006. Credit/Provider: Courtesy of AMPAS. Copyright: ©AMPAS.

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Country Star Dolly Parton passes away at 80
She was best known for hit songs like ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’
A look at her career as a musician, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist.

Country star Dolly Parton, known for her globally popular hits like “Jolene” and 'Nine to Five,' has passed away at the age of 80. She was not only beloved for her music, but was also as an actress, philanthropist, and an icon whose career spanned nearly six decades.

Nine to Five

"Getting even is a full-time job."

PGComedy

Audience
Score

Release Date: Dec 19, 1980

Run Time: 1 hr 50 min

Budget: $10,000,000

Watch Nine to Five Online

The announcement of her passing was posted to the late singer’s Instagram, with a video from her nephew Bryan Seaver on behalf of Parton’s family:

“She finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”

While the cause of death has not been released, her family says the singer died peacefully in Nashville.

Dolly Parton: Life and Career

Born January 19, 1946, in Sevierville, Tennessee, Parton grew up in a large family in the Great Smoky Mountains. Her humble upbringing would become a recurring theme throughout her songwriting and public persona. She began performing as a child before making her mark on country music in the 1960s, eventually becoming one of the world's most successful and recognizable performers.

Parton's songwriting catalog included some of the most enduring songs in American popular music, including "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "I Will Always Love You." She wrote approximately 3,000 songs and sold over 100 million records worldwide, earning 11 Grammy Awards along the way.

Dolly Parton: Television and Film

(L to R) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in 'Nine to Five.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Parton filled her film career with roles in ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,’ ‘Rhinestone, ’ and, most notably, ‘Steel Magnolias’. As Truvy Jones, the owner of a Louisiana beauty salon, Parton held her own alongside a star-studded ensemble that included Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts. The film became one of her most beloved acting roles and remains a favorite among movie fans.

Parton also appeared in films including ‘Straight Talk,’ ‘Gnomeo & Juliet,’ and ‘Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square’, and made numerous television appearances throughout her career.

Dolly Parton: Off Screen

(L to R) Dolly Parton and 78th Academy Awards Producer Gil Cates during rehearsals at the Capitol Records building in Hollywood for the 78th annual Academy Awards. Credit/Provider: Courtesy of AMPAS. Copyright: ©AMPAS.

Away from the screen and recording studio, Parton built an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy. She founded Dollywood in Tennessee and established the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which provides free books to children. Her charitable work extended to education, disaster relief, and medical research, including a $1 million donation that supported COVID-19 vaccine research.

Parton's appeal was never limited to one audience or generation. Her humor, warmth, business savvy and unmistakable personality made her a rare entertainment figure capable of crossing boundaries between country music, Hollywood and popular culture.

Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy that is impossible to define by a single career. She was a songwriter whose words resonate with all, an actress who became part of movie history, a businesswoman who built an entertainment empire, and a philanthropist whose generosity touched millions.