Tributes from across the entertainment world are pouring in after the death of country music icon Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at 80.
Lily Tomlin, Parton’s longtime friend and her co-star in the 1980 comedy classic “9 to 5,” shared a brief but emotional message on Instagram: “No words…💔.”
“9 to 5” marked Parton’s film debut and became one of the defining projects of her career. She also wrote and performed the movie’s smash-hit theme song, which topped the charts and earned Grammy recognition.
Speaking at the 16th Annual Governors Awards in 2025, Tomlin reflected on the song’s enduring impact, saying “9 to 5” was “so much bigger than any singular theme song on a movie soundtrack” and had “became an anthem for our culture of the time.”
Tomlin also praised Parton beyond her music, saying her “humanitarian achievements are as staggering as her formidable singing career” and describing her as “one of the few people who remains in this world that everyone loves and respects.”
Country star Kacey Musgraves was among the artists who reacted publicly Tuesday after news of Parton’s death spread.
“This really really hurts,” Musgraves wrote in a series of posts on X. “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.” Carl Dean, Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, died last year at 82.
Parton’s fellow country singer and actress Reba McEntire also paid tribute on Instagram, writing, “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,” she continued. “… 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.”
Khloe Kardashian, a Parton superfan, also took to social media Tuesday, writing in an Instagram story post, “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,” Kardashian wrote. “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,” she added. “There will never be another Dolly.
Jack White of The White Stripes, who covered Parton’s hit song “Jolene” in 2000, posted a photo of Parton on Instagram with the caption, “Instant Sainthood.”
Actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth wrote on Instagram that she was “heartbroken,” calling Parton her “ultimate inspiration.”
“I met Dolly on several occasions and she always made me feel like one of her own. She even agreed to sing with me on one of my records,” Chenoweth said. “… The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never forget her because she is impossible to forget. I love you Dolly and I will ALWAYS love you.”
The Muppets also honored the legendary performer, saying in a statement on Facebook, “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.”
Actress Octavia Spencer called Parton “a gift to the world,” writing on social media, [Y]our voice, your philanthropic heart, and warmth made us … feel seen and that the world was a pretty decent place.”Actor Colman Domingo wrote on social media, “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.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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