The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards paused to honour the life and legacy of country music legend and Hollywood icon Dolly Parton, who died at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
Parton was remembered during the ceremony at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on September 14, with actress Sally Field and country music star Reba McEntire leading an emotional tribute to the late entertainer.
Field, who starred alongside Parton in the 1989 classic Steel Magnolias, took to the stage to remember her longtime friend.
Describing Parton as genuine, humble, supportive and remarkably funny, Field reflected on the friendship they developed while working together and praised the late star’s humanitarian contributions.
“If there are truly angels on Earth, then we just lost one: Dolly Parton,” Field said during the tribute.
The ceremony then featured archival footage of Parton introducing her 1983 song “Appalachian Memories,” before McEntire took the stage to perform the song in honour of her late friend.
McEntire, who was a longtime friend of Parton, ended the performance with an emotional message: “I love you, Dolly. So much.”
Parton died on August 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer. Her death brought an end to a career spanning more than six decades across music, film and television.
Born in rural Tennessee as one of 12 children, Parton rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in country music. Her songwriting produced enduring hits including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” the latter becoming an international phenomenon after Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard.
Beyond music, Parton established herself as an accomplished actress, starring in films including 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk. She also built a significant television legacy as a performer and producer.
Her connection to television extended behind the screen through Sandollar Productions, the company she co-founded with Sandy Gallin. The production company was involved in television projects including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.
Parton also had her own Emmy success. She received multiple Primetime Emmy nominations throughout her career and won an Emmy in 2021 as an executive producer of Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square.
Her humanitarian work was another defining part of her legacy, particularly through the Dollywood Foundation and its Imagination Library, which provides books to children.
At the 78th Emmys, the tribute brought together her music, acting, television achievements and humanitarian work, giving the entertainment industry a moment to reflect on the extraordinary career of a woman whose influence reached far beyond country music.
