Before her August 2026 death, Dolly Parton reflected on her life in a handful of documentaries
Credit: Andrew Putler/Redferns
NEED TO KNOW
- Dolly Parton reflected on her life — from her childhood to becoming the best-selling female country music artist of all time — in several documentaries
- The Queen of Country died on Aug. 25 at 80 years old
- In addition to her various documentaries, Parton also starred in several memorable films
Dolly Parton was a beloved singer, actress and philanthropist.
The Queen of Country’s decades-long career began when she was just a child, and she reflected on her multifaceted life in several documentaries and projects before her death.
Parton died on Aug. 25 at 80 years old. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in a video shared to her Instagram account. Her rep later confirmed to PEOPLE that Parton died following a “brief battle with cancer.”
The singer — who was born in 1946 and was one of 12 children — began singing when she was just 6 years old. Parton went on to become the best-selling female country music artist of all time and sold more than 160 million albums worldwide, which included hit songs like “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5” and “Jolene.”
In addition to her music career, she starred in a myriad of movies, television shows and musicals, and also created her own Dollywood amusement park located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Beyond her professional life, she valued philanthropy and created her Imagination Library, a monthly book gifting program for children under five.
Here are 12 documentaries and movies to watch to celebrate Dolly Parton’s life.
01 of 12
Dolly Parton: Here I Am
Credit: Rob Hoffman/PBS
Parton participated in the 2019 documentary, Dolly Parton: Here I Am, which told the story of her life and musical career from the perspective of both Parton and some of the most important people in her life — including some of her friends, mentors and fellow artists.
The BBC documentary, directed by Francis Whately, also features interviews from Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Mac Davis, among others.
“Join the legend for a moving, musical journey through the people and places that shaped her iconic career,” a summary of the documentary reads. “Featuring career-spanning archival footage of the undisputed queen of country music, the film reveals the spirit, soul and hard work of an artist who has inspired countless others.”
Dolly Parton: Here I Am is available to stream on PBS and the BBC.
02 of 12
Dolly Parton — From Rhinestones to Rock & Roll
Credit: Larry McCormack/ABC
To celebrate her 2023 rock album, Rockstar, Parton sat down with Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts to discuss how her career evolved from her humble country beginnings to her pivotal rock album in the one-hour TV special, Dolly Parton — From Rhinestones to Rock & Roll.
“Join Dolly Parton & Robin Roberts as they discuss Dolly’s astonishing career – with numerous rock artists on her new album – stories behind her iconic fashion looks, her book & more,” the description reads.
Dolly Parton — From Rhinestones to Rock & Roll is available to watch on Hulu.
03 of 12
Dolly Parton: Big Hair, Bigger Heart
Credit: Ron Davis/Getty
Dolly Parton: Big Hair, Bigger Heart showcases Parton’s life, from her upbringing to her lasting legacy. The 2024 documentary features personal interviews from Parton.
“No royal beginnings for this Queen of Country Music, Dolly Parton,” the description reads. “Known for her larger-than-life positive attitude parading big hair and bold make-up, she would later carve out her own identity as a singer, composer, movie actress, and entrepreneur. Despite dirt poor roots, Dolly Parton leaves a rich legacy.”
Dolly Parton: Big Hair, Bigger Heart is available to stream on Prime Video and Pluto TV.
04 of 12
Dolly Parton: Queen of Country
Credit: Tubi
In 2015, Parton participated in the documentary Dolly Parton: Queen of Country, which tells the story of Parton’s life and becoming the “most honored female country performer of all time.”
“Her career began at an early age. She started as a child performer on the radio, then went on to record a few singles at the age of just 13,” the description reads. “She is quite simply the reigning queen of Country Music … this is her story.”
Dolly Parton: Queen of Country is available to watch on Pluto TV, Tubi and Apple TV.
05 of 12
Coat of Many Colors
Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
While Parton participated in several documentaries and interviews of the years, she also wrote about her life and childhood. In 1971, she wrote the hit autobiographical song “Coat of Many Colors,” which described growing up in a poor home in Tennessee.
More than four decades later, Parton helped create a television movie based on the song, called Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors. Parton served as an executive producer and narrator and helped cast the movie. In the adaptation, which was written by Pamela K. Long and directed by Stephen Herek, Alyvia Alyn Lind portrayed Parton.
“When she came in, it just kind of blew it all out of the water and she got the part,” Parton told WBIR of Lind’s audition. “And, she’s going to make me look awfully good.”
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors is available to rent on Prime Video, YouTube, Fandango and Google Play.
06 of 12
9 to 5
Credit: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
Beyond the documentaries about Parton’s life, there are several beloved movies where fans can witness her acting abilities.
One of Parton’s most well-known roles was her first feature film, 9 to 5, which hit theaters in 1980. In addition to writing the hit song, also called “9 to 5,” for the movie, she also acted alongside Fonda, Tomlin and the late Dabney Coleman.
Parton portrayed the Southern office secretary Doralee Rhodes, which she previously told PEOPLE “was tailor-made” for her. For her work on the film and song, she won two Grammy Awards, received an Academy Award nomination and nabbed three Golden Globe nominations.
9 to 5 is available to watch on Philo and can be rented on several streamers, such as Prime Video and Apple TV.
07 of 12
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock
After breaking out with one of the most successful feature film debuts to date, Parton kept the acting ball rolling with the 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
The musical comedy, which was based on the 1978 stage musical of the same name, starred Parton as Mona Stangley, the sweet madam. Parton’s hit 1973 song, “I Will Always Love You,” was also included in the film.
She was nominated for another Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas can be rented on several streamers, including YouTube, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango.
08 of 12
Rhinestone
Credit: 20th Century-Fox/Getty
Parton garnered her next acting credit in the 1984 romantic comedy Rhinestone, where she played country singer Jake Farris and Sylvester Stallone portrayed her love interest, New York cab driver Nick Martinelli.
The movie was based on Larry Weiss’ 1975 song “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Although the film wasn’t a commercial success, it helped bring two of Parton’s songs from the film — “Tennessee Homesick Blues” and “God Won’t Get You” — to the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Rhinestone is available to stream on the Roku Channel.
09 of 12
Steel Magnolias
Credit: Sony
Although she’s acted in a variety of beloved movies, Parton’s appearance in Steel Magnolias quickly became an instant classic.
The 1989 comedy drama, which was adapted from Robert Harling’s 1987 play of the same name, followed the lives of a tight-knit group of women living in a small town in the South.
Parton played Truvy Jones, the kind-hearted beauty salon owner, while other cast members included Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah and the late Olympia Dukakis.
While promoting the film, Parton told NBC News that she deeply resonated with her character, because she grew up doing people’s hair and may have done that professionally if her performing career didn’t work out.
“She’s not different from me at all,” Parton said. “It wasn’t hard for me to play a southern girl with a southern accent, and it’s not foreign to me for me to do hair, because I grew up doing my sister’s hair, my friend’s hair. I started cutting and bleaching and sawing on my own hair when I was about 15 years old, and I love it.”
She continued, “And I think probably had I not been fortunate and made it in the business, which is what I wanted to do, I probably would have been a beautician and probably been a good one.”
Steel Magnolias is available to watch on Hulu, Pluto, Sling TV and Paramount+.
10 of 12
Straight Talk
Credit: Snap/Shutterstock
In 1992, Parton starred in her second rom-com, Straight Talk, alongside James Woods, Griffin Dunne and the late Michael Madsen. Parton portrayed Shirlee Kenyon, a small-town girl who moves to Chicago and becomes a popular radio show therapist.
“We Dollyized it as much as we possibly could,” Parton told The Morning Call in April 1992. “I drug up every old country saying I’d ever heard.”
Straight Talk can be rented on several streamers, including Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube and Google Play.
11 of 12
The Beverly Hillbillies
Credit: 20TH CENTURY FOX/Alamy
The following year, Parton challenged herself in a unique way by playing herself in a memorable cameo in the 1993 film, The Beverly Hillbillies.
The comedy was based on the hit TV show of the same name and featured Parton performing with her full band. She also recorded the original song “If You Ain’t Got Love” and reunited with her 9 to 5 costars Tomlin and Coleman.
The Beverly Hillbillies is available to stream on Prime Video.
12 of 12
Joyful Noise
Credit: Alcon Entertainment/Kobal/Shutterstock
After taking a hiatus from movies, Parton returned to the big screen in the 2012 musical comedy Joyful Noise, where she butts heads with Queen Latifah while trying to save their Georgian gospel choir.
In addition to acting, Parton also wrote three original songs for the film.
“Well, I love to write. Especially when I’ve got a challenge,” Parton told NPR in January 2012. “I just need a subject, and I’m off and running, ’cause I know how to rhyme, and I love the music, and I just go for it.”
Joyful Noise is available to stream on the Roku Channel and can be rented on YouTube, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango.
Read the full article here
