Dolly Parton was honoured with an emotional tribute at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday, weeks after the legendary singer and actress died at the age of 80.
Parton died on August 25 following a private battle with cancer. Her death was acknowledged during the ceremony at the Peacock Theater, where actress Sally Field and country music star Reba McEntire paid tribute to the late entertainer.
Field, who starred alongside Parton in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias, introduced the tribute.
“If there are truly angels on earth, then we just lost one, Dolly Parton,” Field said.
Recalling their time working together, Field described Parton as genuine, humble, supportive and “blisteringly funny”. She also praised Parton’s humanitarian work and her impact on Tennessee and beyond.
“God bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend. I am not the only one on Earth that will love you forever and ever,” Field said.
An archival clip of Parton from the 1983 Emmy Awards was then shown, featuring her introduction and performance of her song Appalachian Memories.
McEntire, a longtime friend of Parton, followed with an orchestral rendition of the song before ending the performance with a message to the late singer.
“I love you, Dolly. So much,” McEntire said.
Parton had a long association with television as both a performer and producer. She received multiple Primetime Emmy nominations during her career and won the Outstanding Television Movie award in 2021 as an executive producer of Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square. The film also won an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming.
Her other Emmy nominations included Cher… Special in 1978, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love in 2017, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: These Old Bones in 2020 and Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas in 2023.
Beyond television appearances, Parton co-founded Sandollar Productions with her longtime manager, Sandy Gallin. The company produced television series including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel.
Parton also starred in her own variety show, Dolly, and appeared in programmes including Hannah Montana.
The Emmy tribute highlighted Parton’s contributions to music, film and television, as well as her philanthropic legacy.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were hosted by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay.
