Lily Tomlin, Reba McEntire, More Honor Dolly Parton After Her Death at 80

Lily Tomlin, Reba McEntire, More Honor Dolly Parton After Her Death at 80


The world is mourning the loss of beloved country music star Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at her home in Nashville, her nephew said in a video message. She was 80.

Her death comes a few weeks after she provided an update on her health in a video on Aug. 16 after she missed an event at Dollywood, telling fans, β€œSometimes I get a little dizzy and I get dehydrated.”

The β€œJolene” singer, who dealt with kidney stones earlier this year, also promised to keep active.

β€œAll has gone well on the medical end of things, and I continue working away on all of our other projects,” she said.

Parton was a giant not just in country music, but entertainment as a whole, releasing her debut album, β€œHello, I’m Dolly,” in 1967 before going on to win multiple Grammys and making the leap to the big screen, appearing in classics like the 1980 comedy β€œ9 to 5” and 1989’s β€œSteel Magnolias.”

Here’s a look at how some famous friends are mourning her death.

Reba McEntire

Fellow country music legend and close friend Reba McEntire penned a tribute on X.

β€œWell, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side,” she began. β€œDolly, 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.”

She continued, β€œThere will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang.”

McEntire said she knows Parton will be in heaven singing her favorite songs with all her loved ones.

β€œI’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. I will always love you, Reba,” she concluded.

Dionne Warwick

Music icon Dionne Warwick uploaded a picture of her and Parton holding hands on stage together as they performed their duet β€œPeace Like a River.”

β€œI will certainly miss her laugher, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace my friend. My heart is heavy,” Warwick said.

Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine, who shared the screen with Parton in β€œSteel Magnolias,” said in a statement to NBC News, β€œGod sent her to us, and she has returned home.”

Keith Urban

Courtesy @keithurban

Keith Urban shared a brief message to his Instagram story that said, β€œHeartbroken today. Dolly Parton,” and included a broken heart. β€œHonestly…… I have no words right now.”

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer, who co-starred with Parton in the 2012 musical dramedy β€œJoyful Noise,” shared a black-and-white photo of the icon on Instagram. She uploaded a picture of them in β€œJoyful Noise,” as well.

β€œI’m devastated. Truly,” she said in the caption.

Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves mourned Parton’s passing in a series of tweets.

β€œDolly,” she wrote and included a broken heart emoji. β€œThis one really hurts.” In a follow-up message, Musgraves said, β€œThe world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.” For her final tweet, she added, β€œSo glad she’s with her Carl Dean,” referring to Parton’s late husband who died in 2023. β€œNo one talk to me today.”

Lily Tomlin

Parton’s β€œ9 to 5” co-star Lily Tomlin uploaded Jamie Lee Curtis’ tribute β€” which said β€œThank you, Dolly. For all of it,” beneath a black-and-white snap of Parton and Dean β€” to her Instagram story. Tomlin added Parton’s version of β€œI Will Always Love You” to the post.

She then shared a few pictures of Parton on the next slide, including one of them with fellow β€œ9 to 5” star Jane Fonda and their reunion at the 69th Emmy Awards.

Lily Tomlin remembers "9 to 5" co-star Dolly Parton after news of death on Aug. 25, 2026.
Lily Tomlin remembers “9 to 5” co-star Dolly Parton after news of death on Aug. 25, 2026.Instagram

She also praised Parton for being a β€œcomedy treasure” in a third slide featuring Parton’s hit β€œ9 to 5.”

KhloΓ© Kardashian

KhloΓ© Kardashian posted a photo to her Instagram story of her with Parton, writing that she was β€œheartbroken,” along with a longer message about her legacy.

Courtesy @khloekardashian

β€œSome people are so so extraordinary, their existence feels almost impossible. Dolly was one of those people,” she said, in part.Keith Hu β€œA once-in-a-lifetime soul. A woman whose light, heart, talent and humanity changed this world forever.”

Parton appeared on Kardashian’s podcast, β€œKhloΓ© In Wonder Land,” last July.