The world was shocked by the news that legendary country music icon Dolly Parton has passed away, aged 80.
The news was shared publicly by her nephew Bryan Seaver in a video message via Parton’s Instagram page.
“My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist becoming an extended part of your family, whether you liked it or not.”
“Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible,” he said.
“Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
Seaver said his family are determined to continue her legacy. You can watch the full message from Seaver below.
Dolly Parton was undoubtably one of the most influential figures in country music, and pop culture, of the last six decades. Coming from humble beginnings, Parton was born into a farming family and used to sing in her small town church from the young age of six. She went on to perform on her local TV station when she was 16 and from there, her climb to stardom began.
Over the years, Parton has not only become known for industry changing hits like “Jolene”, “I Will Always Love You” and “9 to 5” just to name a few, but for the way she marketed herself as a glitzy icon with big hair and an even bigger personality.
Where to watch Dolly Parton’s movies
Along with her music, Parton starred in a number of iconic films. As huge fans in the TV WEEK office, we thought we’d compile a list of her best movies and where to watch them.
9-5 (1980)
9-5 tells the story of three working women who band together to overthrow their tyrannical, sexist boss.
The film stars Jane Fonda as newcomer to the workforce Judy, Lily Tomlin as hard working Violet who is constantly looked over for promotions and Parton as the beautiful assistant Doralee who always has to reject her bosses unwanted advances. After a particularly awful day at work, the women find themselves bonding over drinks. There, they fantasise about hilarious ways to hill their boss. However, it’s not long before a series of misunderstandings turn their alcohol-fuelled fantasies into reality.
WHERE TO WATCH: Disney+
Steel Magnolias (1989)
Steel Magnolias is an iconic comedy drama following a close-knit group of six incredible women. Set in Louisiana, the film follows the group as they support each other through the various struggles, joys and losses that life throws at them.
Starring alongside Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah, Parton plays Truvy Jones, the owner of the local beauty parlour where the gals share gossip and wisdom.
WHERE TO WATCH: Prime Video
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical film based on the 1978 stage musical of the same name. It is set in a long-running brothel in Texas known as the Chicken Ranch. The ranch is run by the elegant Miss Mona Stangley (Parton) who keeps the brother running in tip-top shape and an unmatched sense of community.
But the future of the brothel comes into question when a pious television reporter called Melvin P. Thorpe (Dom DeLuise) targets the brothel in a public campaign due to his belief that it’s a sinful place. Mona and her partner Sherriff Ed Earl Dodd (Burt Reynolds) have to fight to keep it running.
WHERE TO WATCH: Apple TV
Straight talk (1992)
Straight Talk follows small-town dance instructor Shirlee Kenyon (Parton) who moves to Chicago after being fired from her dance studio for giving too much advice to her students. Once there, she lands a receptionist job at a local radio station but after she is mistaken for the staiton’s freshly hired psychologist, she finds herself speaking on air. With her straight talking ways, she’s an instant hit and the station decides to keep her on despite her lack of qualifications.
Soon enough, a newspaper reporter named Jack (James Woods) is assigned to investigate her and find out her true identity. But the spark between them certainly puts his investigation into question.
WHERE TO WATCH: Apple TV
Rhinestone (1984)
Rhinestone is a 1984 musical comedy starring Parton and Sylvester Stallone. It follows a struggling country singer Jake Farris, played by Parton, who is stuck in a bad contract with a nightclub manager named Freddy (Freddie Ugo).
In an effort to escape the contract’s clutches, she bets Freddy that she can take anyone off the streets of New York and transform them into a hit country singer in just two weeks. The first person who walks by is Nick Martinelli (Stallone), an unpolished New York cab driver.
WHERE TO WATCH: Physical DVD through Amazon.
Dolly Parton Magic Mountain Christmas (2022)
In 2022, Dolly starred in a fantastical Christmas film called Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas. The light-hearted special follows Dolly as she attempts to lift the spirits of the world by sharing the “mountain magic” she connects to during the holidays with a TV network special.
The films follows her efforts to bring this special to life from Dollywood, with all the production stress and rehearsal chaos you’d expect. But along the way, she takes a journey through her past thanks to three mysterious Wise Mountain Men.
If it sounds bizarre, it’s because it is. But in the best way.
WHERE TO WATCH: Apple TV
From laugh-out-loud comedies to musicals we’ll be singing for years to come, Dolly Parton’s light on screen was unmistakable. So, in celebration of her remarkable life, grab the popcorn, hit play and celebrate the magnificent life of a true entertainment icon.
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