Dolly Parton dead at 80: Celebrities react to country music superstar's death
Dolly Parton died Tuesday at the age of 80.
Celebrities are offering their condolences following the death of country music superstar Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80.
Lily Tomlin, Parton's longtime friend and one of her co-stars in the 1980 hit comedy "9 to 5," wrote on Instagram, "No words…💔."
The movie was Parton's big-screen debut, and she wrote and performed the film's chart-topping, Grammy-winning theme song.
Tomlin said at the 16th Annual Governors Awards in 2025 that the song "9 to 5" was "so much bigger than any singular theme song on a movie soundtrack," saying it "became an anthem for our culture of the time."
She added at the time that Parton's "humanitarian achievements are as staggering as her formidable singing career" and called her "one of the few people who remains in this world that everyone loves and respects."
Country singer Kacey Musgraves also shared a message on social media Tuesday, following news of Parton's death.
"This really really hurts," she wrote in a series of posts on X. "The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden."
Dean, who was Parton's husband of nearly 60 years, died last year at the age of 82.
Parton’s fellow country singer and actress Reba McEntire wrote on Instagram, "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.
