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Promotional image of Dolly Parton in 1977
Dolly Parton in 1977

Dolly Parton is an American country singer, songwriter and actress. She has appeared in twelve theatrically released films and has made over 400 appearances on television.

Parton's first televised appearance was in 1956 on the Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour when she was 10 years old; she had previously appeared on Cas Walker's radio show. Her major television breakthrough came in 1967 when she was discovered by Porter Wagoner who had her join his weekly variety show, The Porter Wagoner Show. Parton appeared on 218 episodes of the show between 1967 and 1975 as a regular performer. Appearing on the show with Wagoner during this time is credited with helping to boost Parton to superstardom.

Following her departure from Wagoner's weekly show, Parton transitioned into a more pop-oriented musical style in 1976 and 1977. During this time Parton starred in her own variety show Dolly!, which ran for one season. Parton's popularity exploded following a string of appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson beginning in 1977, and she went on to be prominently featured in numerous television specials, including ones headlined by Mac Davis and Cher, with whom she shared manager Sandy Gallin.

In 1980 Parton made her theatrical film debut as Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5. She wrote the film's theme song, which was nominated for an Academy Award and a Grammy. In 1982 Parton appeared in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as Mona Stangley. She contributed two additional songs to the film's score, "Sneakin' Around" and "I Will Always Love You". The film and Parton herself were nominated for Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) and Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical), respectively. In 1984 Parton starred in Rhinestone with Sylvester Stallone. The film was panned upon its release, and is generally regarded as a commercial and critical flop. However, the soundtrack yielded two top 10 hits for Parton, "Tennessee Homesick Blues" and "God Won't Get You".

Parton starred in the Christmas television special Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember with Kenny Rogers in 1984 to promote their collaborative Christmas album Once Upon a Christmas. In 1986 Parton starred in the made-for-television film A Smoky Mountain Christmas. During the 1987–1988 television season, Parton attempted a second variety show on ABC, also titled Dolly. Like the previous series, this one also only lasted one season.

Parton starred in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias with Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Julia Roberts.

In 1991 Parton starred in the made-for-television film Wild Texas Wind.

Parton returned to the silver screen in 1992 with James Woods in the 1992 film Straight Talk. The film received mixed reviews, with most of the praise going to Parton and Woods' performances, while criticizing the storyline. In 1993 she made a cameo appearance in The Beverly Hillbillies.

In 1994 Parton starred in two pilot episodes for sitcoms, Heavens to Betsy,[1][2][3] and Mindin' My Own Business, neither of which were ordered to series. Parton starred in the made-for-television films Unlikely Angel in 1996 and Blue Valley Songbird in 1999.

In the 2000s Parton made appearances in the films Frank McKlusky, C.I. and Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous as well as television appearances on Reba and Hannah Montana.

Parton starred in the 2012 film Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan. She also made cameo appearances in The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom in 2011 and Hollywood to Dollywood in 2012.

In 2015 Parton and NBC produced the made-for-television film Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors featuring Parton as narrator. A sequel, Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love was produced in 2016, again featuring Parton as narrator and in a cameo appearance as the Painted Lady who inspired her signature style.

Parton and Netflix partnered together to produce a series of television films based on Parton's songs, titled Dolly Parton's Heartstrings. It was released in 2019.

Film

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
9 to 5 1980 Doralee Rhodes [4]
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas 1982 Mona Stangley [5]
Rhinestone 1984 Jake Farris [6]
Steel Magnolias 1989 Truvy Jones [7]
Straight Talk 1992 Shirlee Kenyon [8]
The Beverly Hillbillies 1993 Herself Cameo appearance [9]
Frank McKlusky, C.I. 2002 Edith McKlusky [10]
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous 2005 Herself Cameo appearance [11]
Gnomeo & Juliet 2011 Dolly Gnome Voice role [12]
The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom 2011 Herself Voice cameo [13]
Joyful Noise 2012 G.G. Sparrow [14]
Hollywood to Dollywood 2012 Herself Cameo appearance [15]
Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square 2020 Angel [16]
Run, Rose, Run TBA Also producer [17]

Television

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour 1956–1964 Herself [18]
The Early Morning Show 1964 Herself [19]
The Ralph Emery Early Morning Show 1967 Herself [20]
Music City USA 1967 Herself Guest performer [21]
The Wilburn Brothers Show 1967, 1973 Herself Guest performer [22]
[23]
The Porter Wagoner Show 1967–1974 Herself Main role [24]
The Kraft Music Hall 1968–1970 Herself "2nd Annual Country Music Association Awards"
"3rd Annual Country Music Association Awards"
"4th Annual Country Music Association Awards" 		[25]
[26]
[27]
An Old-Time Country Christmas 1969 Herself Television special [28]
Hee Haw 1970, 1972, 1975 Herself Musical guest, 3 episodes [29]
[30]
[31]
The Nashville Sound 1970 Herself Documentary [32]
The Mike Douglas Show 1970
1974
1977 		Herself Country vocalist, 1 episode
Guest, 1 episode
Co-host, 5 episodes 		[33]
[34]
[35]
The David Frost Show 1971 Herself [36]
That Good Ole Nashville Music 1971 Herself Guest performer [37]
The Rowan and Martin Special 1973 Herself Television special [38]
RCA's Opening Night 1973 Herself Television special [39]
Burt Reynolds' Late Show 1973 Herself Television special [40]
Dinah's Place 1974 Herself [41]
8th Annual Country Music Association Awards 1974 Herself Television special; performer – nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year [42]
In Concert 1975 Herself Performer (this episode was issued on LP in 1975) [43]
Sing Country 1975 1975 Herself Television special; performer [44]
9th Annual Country Music Association Awards 1975 Herself Television special; performer – won Female Vocalist of the Year and nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year [45]
The Ronnie Prophet Show 1975 Herself Guest performer [46]
Candid Camera 1975 Herself 2 episodes [47]
[48]
Grand Ole Opry 50th Anniversary 1975 Herself Television special [49]
Dinah! 1976 Herself Guest performer [50]
Dolly! 1976–1977 Herself Host, also performer [51]
Festival of Entertainment 1976 Herself Television special [52]
Sing Country 1976 1976 Herself Television special; performer [53]
The Mac Davis Show 1976 Herself 1 episode [54]
The Hollywood Squares 1976, 1978 Herself Panelist, 6 episodes [55]
[56]
10th Annual Country Music Association Awards 1976 Herself Television special; performer – won Female Vocalist of the Year and nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year [57]
The 4th Annual American Music Awards 1977 Herself Television special; nominated for Favorite Country Female Artist [58]
The 19th Annual Grammy Awards 1977 Herself Television special; nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female ("All I Can Do") [59]
Captain Kangaroo 1977 Herself [60]
Mac Davis: Sounds Like Home 1977 Herself Television special [61]
Musikladen 1977 Herself [62]
Cher... Special 1978 Herself Television special
50 Years of Country Music 1978 Herself Television special; host [63]
Dolly & Carol in Nashville 1979 Herself / Trudy Television special [64]
The Seventies: An Explosion of Country Music 1979 Herself Performer; later repackaged as Country Superstars of the '70s
A Christmas Special... With Love, Mac Davis 1979 Herself Television special [65]
Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters 1980 Herself Episode: Pilote
Mac Davis 10th Anniversary Special: I Still Believe in Music 1980 Herself Television special [66]
Lily: Sold Out 1981 Herself Special [67]
Alvin and the Chipmunks 1983 Herself Voice role; episode: "Urban Chipmunk"
Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember 1984 Herself Television special (a "Making of" special was also released)[68] [69]
Kenny & Dolly: Real Love 1985 Herself Television special; promotional title: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton: Together [70]
The Winning Hand 1985 Herself Television special [71]
A Smoky Mountain Christmas 1986 Lorna Davis Television film [72]
Dolly 1987–1988 Herself Host, also performer
Bob Hope's Jolly Christmas Show 1988 Herself Television special
Saturday Night Live 1989 Herself / various Host, also musical guest
Kenny, Dolly and Willie: Something Inside So Strong 1989 Herself Television special [73]
Designing Women 1990 Herself 2 episodes [74]
Dolly Parton: Christmas at Home 1990 Herself Television special
Babes 1991 Herself Episode: "Hello Dolly"
Wild Texas Wind 1991 Thiola "Big T" Rayfield Television film [75]
Heavens to Betsy 1994 Betsy Baxter Unaired TV pilot [1][2][3]
Mindin' My Own Business 1994 Catering business owner Unaired TV pilot [76]
Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story 1995 Herself Television film; cameo appearance [citation needed]
Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge 1995 Herself Television film
Unlikely Angel 1996 Ruby Diamond Television film [77]
Dolly Parton: Treasures 1996 Self Television special [78]
The Magic School Bus 1996 Katrina Eloise "Murph" Murphy Episode: "The Family Holiday Special" [79]
Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story 1997 Herself Television film; cameo appearance [citation needed]
The Simpsons 1999 Herself Voice role; episode: "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday"
Jackie's Back 1999 Herself Television film; cameo appearance [citation needed]
Blue Valley Songbird 1999 Leanna Taylor Television film [80]
Bette 2000 Herself Episode: "Halloween"
Reba 2005 Dolly Majors "Reba's Rules of Real Estate" [81]
Hannah Montana 2006–2007, 2010 Aunt Dolly 3 episodes [82]
[83]
[84]
17 Kids and Counting 2009 Herself
  • "Duggars in Dixie"
  • "Duggars Meet Dolly"
 [85]
[86]
Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood 2010 Herself [87]
Strictly Come Dancing 2011 Singer "Launch Show";[88] singing "Together You and I"
The Bachelorette 2012 Herself 1 episode
A Country Christmas Story 2013 Herself Television film [89]
Kenny & Dolly: An Intimate Conversation 2013 Herself [90]
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors 2015 Herself Television film; narrator; also executive producer [91]
Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love 2016 Herself / The Painted Lady Television film; narrator; also executive producer [92]
Dolly & Friends: The Making of a Soundtrack 2018 Herself Television special; making of the Dumplin' soundtrack album [93]
Country Music 2019 Herself Directed by Ken Burns; interviewed in all eight episodes [94]
Dolly Parton's Heartstrings 2019 Various roles 8 episodes [95]
Christmas at Dollywood 2019 Herself Television film (Hallmark) [96]
CMT Giants: Kenny Rogers 2020 Herself Performer (performed: "Sweet Music Man")
Biography: Dolly Parton 2020 Herself Aired as Dolly Parton: Here I Am in the UK and on Netflix
Biography: Kenny Rogers 2020 Herself
A Holly Dolly Christmas 2020 Herself Television special (CBS)
Grace & Frankie 2022 Agnes Episode: "The Beginning"
The Orville 2022 Hologram of herself Episode: "Midnight Blue" [97]
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas 2022 Herself Television film; also executive producer
Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party 2022 Herself Television special (NBC)
Call Me Kat 2023 Herself Episode: "Call Me Philliam"

References

  1. ^ a b Fleming, Michael (March 30, 1994). "Hold The Cooking Show". Variety. Retrieved January 6, 2023. Parton is now fixing to star in "Heavens to Betsy," created by David Babcock ("Herman's Head") and inspired by a song Parton wrote.
  2. ^ a b Jacobs, A.J. (December 2, 1994). "Dolly Parton's TV woes". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 6, 2023. Dolly Parton's TV sitcom "Heavens to Betsy" won't air after all because of creative problems. The show, which was to star Parton as a Las Vegas lounge singer, was being produced for CBS....
  3. ^ a b "Television – Quick Takes". Los Angeles Times. May 15, 1995. Retrieved January 6, 2023. Dolly Parton's TV sitcom "Heavens to Betsy" won't air after all because of creative problems. The show, which was to star Parton as a Las Vegas lounge singer, was being produced for CBS....
  4. ^ "9 to 5". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  5. ^ "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  6. ^ "Rhinestone". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  7. ^ "Steel Magnolias". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  8. ^ "Straight Talk". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  9. ^ "The Beverly Hillbillies". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  10. ^ "Frank McKlusky, C.I." IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  11. ^ "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  12. ^ "Gnomeo & Juliet". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  13. ^ "The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  14. ^ "Joyful Noise". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  15. ^ "Hollywood to Dollywood". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  16. ^ "Christmas on the Square". IMDb. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  17. ^ "Dolly Parton To Star In And Produce 'Run, Rose, Run' Movie Adaptation From Hello Sunshine". Deadline Hollywood. March 21, 2022.
  18. ^ "Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  19. ^ "The Early Morning Show - Episode dated 2 June 1964". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  20. ^ "The Ralph Emery Early Morning Show". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  21. ^ "Music City USA - Episode #1.6". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  22. ^ "The Wilburn Brothers Show - Episode #1.236". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  23. ^ "The Wilbur Brothers Show - Episode #1.540". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  24. ^ "The Porter Wagoner Show". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  25. ^ "2nd Annual Country Music Association Awards". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  26. ^ "3rd Annual Country Music Association Awards". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  27. ^ "4th Annual Country Music Association Awards". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  28. ^ "An Old-Time Country Christmas". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  29. ^ "Hee Haw - Episode #1.26". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  30. ^ "Hee Haw - Episode #3.19". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  31. ^ "Hee Haw - Episode #6.23". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  32. ^ "The Nashville Sound". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  33. ^ "The Mike Douglas Show - Episode #10.6". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  34. ^ "The Mike Douglas Show - Episode #13.99". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  35. ^ "The Mike Douglas Show - Episode #16.171". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  36. ^ "The David Frost Show - Episode #3.204". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  37. ^ "That Good Ole Nashville Music - Episode dated 1 September 1971". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  38. ^ "The Rowan and Martin Special". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  39. ^ "RCA's Opening Night". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  40. ^ "Burt Reynolds' Late Show". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  41. ^ "Dinah's Place - Episode dated 27 February 1974". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  42. ^ "8th Annual Country Music Association Awards". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  43. ^ "In Concert - Episode #3.15". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  44. ^ "Sing Country 1975". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  45. ^ "9th Annual Country Music Association Awards". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  46. ^ "The Ronnie Prophet Show - Episode dated 3 November 1975". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  47. ^ "Candid Camera - Episode #10.27". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  48. ^ "Candid Camera - Episode #10.34". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  49. ^ "Grand Ole Opry 50th Anniversary". IMDb. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  50. ^ "Dinah! – Episode #2.87". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  51. ^ "Dolly". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  52. ^ "Festival of Entertainment". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  53. ^ "Sing Country 1976". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  54. ^ "The Mac Davis Show - Episode #3.9". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  55. ^ "The Hollywood Squares - Episode #11.8". IMDb. December 2009. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  56. ^ "The Hollywood Squares - Episode dated 30 October 1978". IMDb. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  57. ^ "10th Annual Country Music Association Awards". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  58. ^ "The 4th Annual American Music Awards". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  59. ^ "The 19th Annual Grammy Awards". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  60. ^ "Captain Kangaroo - Episode dated 23 March 1977". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  61. ^ "Mac Davis: Sounds Like Home". IMDb. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  62. ^ "Musikladen - Episode #1.33". IMDb. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  63. ^ "50 Years of Country Music". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  64. ^ "Dolly and Carol in Nashville". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  65. ^ "A Christmas Special... With Love, Mac Davis". IMDb. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  66. ^ "Mac Davis 10th Anniversary Special: I Still Believe in Music". IMDb. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  67. ^ "Lily: Sold Out". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  68. ^ "The Making of Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  69. ^ "Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  70. ^ "Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Together". IMDb. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  71. ^ "The Winning Hand". IMDb. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  72. ^ "A Smoky Mountain Christmas". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  73. ^ "Kenny, Dolly and Willie: Something Inside So Strong". IMDb. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  74. ^ "Designing Woman - The First Day of the Last Decade of the Entire Twentieth Century: Part 1". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  75. ^ "Wild Texas Wind". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  76. ^ "Mindin' My Own Business". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  77. ^ "Unlikely Angel". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  78. ^ "Dolly Parton: Treasures". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  79. ^ "The Magic School Bus - The Family Holiday Special". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  80. ^ "Blue Valley Songbird". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  81. ^ "Reba - Reba's Rules of Real Estate". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  82. ^ "Hannah Montana - Good Golly, Miss Dolly". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  83. ^ "Hannah Montana - I Will Always Loathe You". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  84. ^ "Hannah Montana - Kiss It All Goodbye". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  85. ^ "17 Kids and Counting - Duggars in Dixie". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  86. ^ "17 Kids and Counting - Duggars Meet Dolly". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  87. ^ "Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood". IMDb. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  88. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing 2011: Dolly Parton sings 'Together You And I' (VIDEO)". Unreality TV. September 10, 2011. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  89. ^ "A Country Christmas Story". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  90. ^ "Kenny & Dolly: An Intimate Conversation". IMDb. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  91. ^ "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  92. ^ "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love". IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  93. ^ "Dolly & Friends: The Making of a Soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  94. ^ "Dolly Parton steals spotlight in second half of Ken Burns' 'Country Music' documentary". Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  95. ^ "Dolly Parton's Heartstrings". IMDb. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  96. ^ "Christmas at Dollywood". IMDb. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  97. ^ Weston, Christopher (July 21, 2022). "The Orville fans praise country icon Dolly Parton's 'beyond perfect' cameo". HITC. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
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