Dolly Parton filmography
American singer, songwriter, and actress with extensive filmography.
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Dolly Parton, an American country singer, songwriter, and actress, has acted in 12 films released in theaters and logged more than 400 television appearances. Her first time on TV came in 1956 at age 10, on the *Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour*, following earlier radio work with Cas Walker. Her big television break arrived in 1967 when Porter Wagoner discovered her and invited her onto his weekly variety program, *The Porter Wagoner Show*. She was a regular on that show for 218 episodes, from 1967 to 1975, and that exposure is widely seen as launching her to superstardom.
After leaving Wagoner’s show, Parton shifted toward a pop sound in 1976 and 1977. During that period, she hosted her own variety series, *Dolly!*, which ran for a single season. Her fame skyrocketed after a series of visits to *The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson* starting in 1977, and she became a frequent presence in TV specials, including those headlined by Mac Davis and Cher—both of whom shared her manager, Sandy Gallin.
Parton made her theatrical film debut in 1980 as Doralee Rhodes in *9 to 5*. She also wrote the movie’s theme song, which earned nominations for an Academy Award and a Grammy. In 1982, she played Mona Stangley in *The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas*, contributing two songs to the score: “Sneakin’ Around” and “I Will Always Love You.” That film and Parton herself received Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) and Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical), respectively. In 1984, she starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in *Rhinestone*, which was widely panned and is considered a commercial and critical flop, though its soundtrack produced two top-10 hits for her: “Tennessee Homesick Blues” and “God Won’t Get You.”
That same year, Parton co-starred with Kenny Rogers in the Christmas TV special *Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember*, promoting their joint album *Once Upon a Christmas*. In 1986, she starred in the TV movie *A Smoky Mountain Christmas*. During the 1987–1988 TV season, she tried a second variety show on ABC, also called *Dolly*; like her first, it lasted only one season. In 1989, she appeared in *Steel Magnolias* alongside Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah, and Olympia Dukakis. She then starred in the 1991 TV movie *Wild Texas Wind*.
- Field
- Country music, acting
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Country music, film and television appearances
Lore & Background
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. Following her departure from Wagoner's show, Parton starred in her own variety show Dolly!, which ran for one season. Her popularity exploded after a string of appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson beginning in 1977.
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, she appeared in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as Mona Stangley. In 1984, Parton starred in Rhinestone with Sylvester Stallone; the film was panned and is generally regarded as a commercial and critical flop. She later starred in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias with Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah, and Olympia Dukakis. Parton returned to the silver screen in 1992 with James Woods in Straight Talk. In the 2000s, she made appearances in 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.
Reader's Guide
Dolly Parton's filmography spans over five decades, encompassing theatrical films, made-for-television movies, variety shows, and cameo appearances. Her debut in 9 to 5 established her as a film actress and showcased her songwriting talent. Despite the critical failure of Rhinestone, her soundtrack yielded two top 10 hits. Parton's television work includes regular appearances on The Porter Wagoner Show, her own variety series Dolly! and a later ABC variety show also titled Dolly, both lasting one season. She also starred in television specials such as Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember with Kenny Rogers and made-for-television films like A Smoky Mountain Christmas, Wild Texas Wind, Unlikely Angel, and Blue Valley Songbird. In the 2010s, Parton partnered with NBC for Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors and its sequel, and with Netflix for the series Dolly Parton's Heartstrings. Her filmography reflects a career that moved between country music stardom and mainstream entertainment, with her acting roles often intersecting with her musical output.
Did You Know?
- She appeared on 218 episodes of The Porter Wagoner Show between 1967 and 1975.
- Parton wrote the theme song for her film debut 9 to 5, which was nominated for an Academy Award and a Grammy.
- She starred in the 1984 Christmas television special Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember with Kenny Rogers.
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