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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton

Actor, producer and composer, also writer · Died August 25, 2026, aged 80 · Sevierville, Tennessee, USA

Dolly Rebecca Parton (January 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026) was an American singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist known primarily for her decades-long career in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album debut in 1967 with Hello, I'm Dolly, which led to success during the remainder of the 1960s (both as a solo artist and with a series of duet albums with Porter Wagoner) before her sales and chart peak arrived during the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Some of Parton's albums in the 1990s did not sell as well. However, she achieved commercial success again in the new millennium and has released albums on various independent labels since 2000, including Dolly Records. With a career spanning 60 years, Parton has been described as a "country legend" and has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Parton's music includes the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)-certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards. She has had 25 singles reach No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts, a record for a female artist (tied with Reba McEntire). She has 44 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and 110 career-charted singles over the past 40 years. She has composed over 3,000 songs, including "I Will Always Love You" (a two-time U.S. country chart-topper and an international hit for Whitney Houston), "Jolene", "Coat of Many Colors", and "9 to 5". As an actress, she has starred in the films 9 to 5 in 1980 and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in 1982 (for each of which she earned Best Actress Golden Globe nominations) as well as Rhinestone in 1984, Steel Magnolias in 1989, Straight Talk in 1992, and Joyful Noise in 2012. Parton has received various accolades, including 11 Grammy Awards from 50 nominations. She has won ten Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year. She is one of seven female artists to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award. Parton has five Academy of Country Music Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), four People's Choice Awards, and three American Music Awards. She is also in a select group to have received at least one nomination from the Academy, Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Awards. In 1999, Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2005, she received the National Medal of Arts. In 2022, she was nominated for and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a nomination she had initially declined but ultimately accepted. Outside of her work in the music industry, she also co-owns The Dollywood Company, which manages several entertainment venues, including the Dollywood theme park, the Splash Country water park, and many dinner theatre venues such as The Dolly Parton Stampede and Pirates Voyage. She has founded some charitable and philanthropic organizations, chief among them being the Dollywood Foundation, which manages several projects to bring education and poverty relief to East Tennessee, where she was raised.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 19, 1946
Died
August 25, 2026 (aged 80)
From
Sevierville, Tennessee, USA
Works as
Actor, producer and composer, also writer
Titles
42 on MovieCove · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26

What are Dolly Parton's films like?

Across their 43 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 90th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Biography5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Music3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Music movies
Musical2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Musical movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Society
30%
Bonds
26%
Self
20%
Ideas
8%
Power
7%
Morality
6%
Survival
3%
Family bonds15 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity15 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 40 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 33 · Serious 6 · Dark 1

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 32 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 2

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 23 · Charged 17 · Intense 0

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 33 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 18 · Some laughs 16 · Funny 6

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 33 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 37 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 39 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

17 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 8 of 17 analyzed roles.

Hero
8 of 17
Mentor
3 of 17
Ally
3 of 17
Herald
2 of 17
Trickster
1 of 17
Show the 17 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
35
Joyful
23
Hopeful
16
Contemplative
9
Melancholic
10
Other
20

How their films linger

Feel-good30 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy24
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Dolly Parton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 42 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dolly Parton's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 42 with a MovieCove page; 156 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Bárbara Tinoco - A Curta Vida de uma Popstar, Live at MEO Arena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Songs

  • Dolly Parton's Pet Gala(2024)

    Executive Producer · Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • ET Vault Unlocked: Dolly Parton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Dolly Parton Rockstar Global First Listen Event (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Composer · Actor

  • Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas(2022)

    Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • A Holly Dolly Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Executive Producer · as Self - Host / Performer

  • Christmas on the Square(2020)

    Composer · Executive Producer · Lyricist · Musical · as Angel

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Christmas at Dollywood(2019)

    as Dolly Parton

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Dolly Parton: 50 Years At The Opry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Executive Producer · as Self

  • Dolly Parton's Heartstrings(2019)

    Show 8 episodes · Composer · Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Amber & Dolly: 9 to 5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Dolly Parton

  • Dumplin'(2018)

    Songs

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Feminists: What Were They Thinking?(2018)

    as Doralee Rhodes

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Olympia(2018)

    as Truvy Jones

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Orville(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Dolly Parton

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love(2016)

    Executive Producer · as The Painted Lady

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors(2015)

    Executive Producer · as Self - Narrator

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Grace and Frankie(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Agnes

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Lily's Driftwood Bay(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Noleen (voice)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • A Country Christmas Story(2013)

    as Dolly Parton

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Inequality for All(2013)

    as Doralee Rhodes (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Joyful Noise(2012)

    as G.G. Sparrow

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom(2011)

    as Dolly Parton (voice)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Gnomeo & Juliet(2011)

    as Dolly Gnome (voice)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Dolly: Live from London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Executive Producer · as Self

  • 9 to 5: The Musical (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Lyricist · Musical

  • Hannah Montana(2006)

    Show 3 episodes · as Aunt Dolly

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous(2005)

    as Dolly Parton

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Transamerica(2005)

    Songs

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies(2004)

    as Doralee Rhodes

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Frank McKlusky, C.I.(2002)

    as Edith McKlusky

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Reba(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Dolly Majors

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Blue Valley Songbird(1999)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Leanna Taylor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Jackie's Back!(1999)

    as Dolly Parton

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Dolly Partons Precious Memories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story(1997)

    as Dolly Parton

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer(1997)

    Show 144 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Unlikely Angel(1996)

    Executive Producer · Songs · as Ruby Diamond

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • TFI Friday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge(1995)

    as Dolly Parton

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story(1995)

    as Dolly Parton

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Magic School Bus(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Katrina Eloise 'Murph' Murphy (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Beverly Hillbillies(1993)

    as Dolly Parton

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Straight Talk(1992)

    Composer · Songs · as Shirlee Kenyon

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Wild Texas Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Executive Producer · Music Supervisor · Vocals · Writer · as Thiola Rayfield

  • Christmas at Home(1990)

    Executive Producer · Music Supervisor · as Self

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Dolly Parton (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Steel Magnolias(1989)

    as Truvy Jones

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • A Down Home Country Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Composer · Production Supervisor · Songs · as Self

  • Dolly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 22 episodes · Creator · as Self - Host

  • A Smoky Mountain Christmas(1986)

    Producer · Songs · Story · as Lorna Davis

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Designing Women(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Dolly Parton, Guardian Movie Star

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Rhinestone(1984)

    Composer · Music Supervisor · as Jake Ferris

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Alvin and the Chipmunks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Dolly Parton (voice)

  • The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas(1982)

    Songs · as Mona Stangley

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Best Little Special In Texas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Lily: Sold Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Dolly Parton

  • 9 to 5(1980)

    Theme Song Performance · as Doralee Rhodes

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The South Bank Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Run, Rose, Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Producer · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 60 titles, 59 of them dated from 1962 to 2026; peak year 2020.

Biggest box office

9 to 5 (1980)

$103M worldwide

Highest rated

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Lily's Driftwood Bay (2014)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19622026

Peak 2020 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 7 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting46 of 60: 33 only acting, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score58thWriting4 of 60: 1 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing15 of 60: 6 only producing, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thMusic6 of 60: 0 only music, 6 with another roleOther crew13 of 60: 4 only other crew, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rd

60 titles, 16 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 7 of them.

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s1 · acting1980s12 · 10 acting · 6 crew1990s14 · 12 acting · 6 crew2000s9 · 6 acting · 3 crew2010s15 · 11 acting · 5 crew2020s7 · 4 acting · 6 crew

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 31% of 13 roles
8090

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Dolly Parton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 32; across their 39 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 72nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Approval · how many liked their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Midcredits score across 42 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up19
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 42 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor, producer

Christmas at Home (1990)

95th percentile spread · 20% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Inequality for All (2013)

Midcredits 97th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 59/100 in their films, across 26 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 34. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Dolly Parton's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 24 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 43 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 37 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 20 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Dolly Parton work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dolly Parton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Lily Tomlin shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers