Stars Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton After Her Death
Stars Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton After Her Death
Alyssa Norwin Tue, August 25, 2026 at 8:37 PM UTC
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Dolly Parton performs during "Dolly: An Original Musical" fireside chat and press conference at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on January 28, 2025 - Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Dolly Parton‘s nephew confirmed her death at the age of 80 on August 25, and tributes from celebrities began pouring in after the news broke. Hollywood and the country music community have been left devastated by the heartbreaking announcement.
Kacey Musgraves was one of the first country stars to weigh in, writing on X, “Dolly. This really hurts. The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden. So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.” Sally Field kept it simple and sweet in her Instagram tribute, writing, “If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one. Dolly Parton. There will never be another. I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together. Forever. Rest in peace beautiful Dolly.”
Parton’s 9 to 5 costar and longtime friend Jane Fonda wrote on Instagram, “I am devastated. I just learned that Dolly has moved on. I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this – more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever. We have our memories of her, her songs, Dollywood, ‘9to5,’ the millions of books she got into the hands of children, all the iconic images that bring her to us. And they are all blessings.”
She continued, “Let’s be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now. I never knew anyone like her. She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves. She was many things…lyricist, songstress, player of many instruments, writer, prankster, visionary, loyal friend, who’d never go to bed before she and her friends had laughed so hard they’d have to cross their legs. She had a survivor’s instinct and seemed to always know just what to do, just what to say, to make things right…and then she’s stick her butt out the car window and moon Kenny Roger’s home. She was the voluptuous embodiment of empathy. That’s something of hers she’d want us all to take with us.”
Fonda concluded, “To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you. You know that without me telling you. She loved all her fans and they are legion. And you know she doesn’t want y’all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit. But first, watch the final episode of Grace and Frankie where she’s an Angel, the head honcho working class angel in Heaven.”
A longtime fan of Parton, Khloé Kardashian had a touching tribute to share. “I swear I believed Mrs Dolly was immortal,” she wrote. “Some people are so extraordinary, their existence feels almost impossible. Dolly was one of those people. A once-in-a-lifetime soul. A woman whose light, heart, talent and humanity changed this world forever. To have admired her was a gift. To have met her, spent time in her presence, and somehow been lucky enough that Dolly Parton knew my name… I will never have words big enough for what that means to me.
What an astronomical human being. What a legacy. What a loss. There will never be another Dolly.”
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins took to her own social media to add, “Damn. RIP Dolly. What a singular force she was.” Julianne Hough commented on the Instagram post announcing Parton’s death with, “We will always love you, Dolly.”
Also in the comments section, Lucy Hale wrote, “1 of 1,” and Olivia Holt said, “we will always love you dolly.”
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Maren Morris shared a throwback video of herself and Parton singing and captioned it, “there will never be another. @dollyparton was who we could all agree on. she was and is such a light.”
On her Instagram, Reba McEntire posted, “Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her. I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart.”
Pedro Pascalwrote, “One of one . We must make more. #DollyParton #Love,” and Seth MacFarlane said, “The news of Dolly Parton’s passing is devastating. I had the extraordinary experience of working with her on The Orville, and it was a joy to discover that she really was exactly the person we all hoped she was. Her kindness, generosity, and authenticity were evident from moment one, and the benign yet assured command she maintained over her empire was obvious from the genuine love and trust you could see from everyone who worked for her. The world is a dimmer place today without her.”
Henry Winklertweeted, “What a sad day for America what a sad day for the world what a sad day for the pardon family. Dolly! We will miss you in more ways than one can say you were a treasure on this earth.” Lance Bass called Parton “the best of the best” and added, “We will always love you Dolly!”
In her tribute, Jamie Lee Curtis wrote, “Thank you, Dolly. For all of it,” and Rosie O’Donnell said, “This earth angel has gone back to heaven where she came from – heartbroken.”
In March 2025, Parton’s husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, died. Afterwards, she was open about the fact that she let her own health issues fall to the wayside as she cared for him in his final months.
Parton gave People a promising update about her health on August 21, just four days before it was confirmed that she had died. “I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago,” she said said. “I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”
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For the most part, though, the specifics about Parton’s health issues were kept private. She and Dean did not have any children during their marriage.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
