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Singers, actors, and more are all paying their respects to Dolly Parton. On August 25, Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver confirmed in a video message that she died in Nashville. He echoed the feeling of “heaviness” many are going through as they grieve her death. Parton’s impact went beyond country music. Her presence onstage through beloved hits like “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene,” and onscreen in 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, will be remembered by her collaborators, co-stars, and celebrity fans.
Below, tributes from the people closest to her and those who were impacted by her work as an artist.
Most celebrities go on The Muppet Show, but Dolly Parton had the Muppets come to her. Miss Piggy and Kermit joined her on her variety show, Dolly, in both 1987 and 1988. The official Muppets Instagram posted: “There will never be another quite like Dolly Parton. She was the ultimate singer, songwriter, actress, performer, and philanthropist. She filled the world with light and we are so grateful for every second we got to spend with her onstage and off.”
Friend. Songwriter. The Great Harmonizer of Humanity. Dolly. Dolly. Dolly. Forever Dolly. pic.twitter.com/ZEdUS1PrcV
Her 9 to 5 co-star remembered her as a “great harmonizer of humanity” and a longtime friend..
Parton’s multifaceted personality is a common memory among those who knew her, including her 9 to 5 co-star Jane Fonda. “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,” Fonda remembered. “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.”
I will certainly miss her laugher, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace my friend. My heart is heavy. pic.twitter.com/4sVARNLX0z
The two women were longtime friends and brief collaborators. They sang a duet Parton wrote in the 1980s called “Peace Like a River” nearly 40 years after it was first written. Warwick told CNN on August 25 that Parton wanted to invite her on to the duet to “keep it in the family.” Besides her undeniable talent, what Warwick will remember most about Parton is her humor. “We laughed a lot more than we sang,” she said, smiling. “She was the funniest woman I’ve ever met. Just her way about her was so pleasant, so easy to be around. I’m going to truly, truly miss her.”
Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness. What a light. We are all grateful that we lived in a time of Dolly Parton. We will always love her. pic.twitter.com/kKOuTrcFo9
Domingo praised Parton’s ability to be talented and empathetic. He wrote on X, “Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness. What a light.”
Parton’s Steel Magnolias co-star told “Page Six,” “Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”
The Mandalorian star posted a photo of Parton alongside the caption, “One of one 💔. We must make more.”
Palmer shared a photo of herself and Parton on the set of the 2012 film Joyful Noise. She wrote, “I’m devastated. Truly.”
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