Jane Fonda Gets Emotional Remembering Dolly Parton: “I Never Knew Anyone Like Her”

HOLLYWOOD — Jane Fonda became emotional while remembering her longtime friend and 9 to 5 co-star Dolly Parton, sharing personal stories that revealed why she considered the country music icon such a rare and special person.

Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer. For Fonda, the loss was not simply the passing of a legendary entertainer — it was the loss of a close friend she had known and admired for decades.

Fonda Struggled to Hold Back Tears

During a recent interview, Fonda spoke warmly about Parton but became visibly emotional as she reflected on their friendship.

She described Parton as someone who combined humor, intelligence, compassion and an extraordinary ability to connect with people.

Fonda said Parton had a deep respect for her fans and never seemed to take their loyalty for granted.

That quality, she explained, was one of the things that made Parton different from so many other stars.

Their Friendship Began With ‘9 to 5’

Fonda and Parton first worked together on the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, alongside Lily Tomlin.

The movie became a huge success and turned Parton, who was already a major country music star, into an even bigger Hollywood personality.

Fonda had originally been involved in developing the project when it was conceived as a much darker story. She eventually helped steer it toward comedy and pushed for Parton to join the cast.

Parton ultimately made her film debut as Doralee Rhodes, while Fonda played Judy Bernly and Tomlin portrayed Violet Newstead.

The chemistry between the three women became one of the film’s biggest strengths.

Parton Memorized the Entire Script

Fonda also remembered being impressed by how seriously Parton approached acting despite having no previous major movie role.

According to Fonda, Parton had memorized the entire 9 to 5 script before filming began.

She also quickly demonstrated that she was far more than the stereotypical glamorous country singer some people might have expected.

Fonda said Parton was extremely sharp and understood exactly how she wanted to present herself to the public.

Dolly Helped Fonda With an Appalachian Role

Fonda recalled another important moment in their friendship when they worked together on the television movie The Dollmaker.

Fonda wanted to portray an Appalachian woman authentically, and Parton helped guide her.

Parton took Fonda through parts of Appalachia and introduced her to the culture and people of the region.

For Fonda, the experience showed how generous Parton could be with her knowledge and how seriously she took representing the community she came from.

A Small Moment Revealed Dolly’s Compassion

Fonda also recalled a seemingly insignificant moment that ultimately told her a lot about Parton’s character.

During a photo shoot, Fonda and Parton had playfully crossed their eyes for a picture.

Parton became upset because she worried the image could be interpreted as making fun of people with crossed eyes, including someone in her own family.

Fonda said the reaction demonstrated just how sensitive Parton was to other people’s feelings.

Rather than simply laughing it off, Parton thought about how someone else might perceive the joke.

That empathy was one of the qualities Fonda admired most about her.

She Never Lost Sight of Her Fans

Fonda also praised Parton’s relationship with her audience.

Despite becoming one of the biggest stars in the world, Parton remained highly conscious of the people who supported her career.

Fonda said Parton understood that her fans had invested emotionally in her music and that she always wanted to give them something in return.

That connection helped explain why Parton’s popularity lasted for generations.

A Friendship That Lasted for Decades

The success of 9 to 5 brought Fonda, Tomlin and Parton together, but their relationship continued long after the movie became a classic.

The three women reunited publicly over the years and remained connected despite their separate careers.

Parton’s death has now left Fonda and Tomlin among the many longtime friends and collaborators mourning her.

For Fonda, however, the memories go far beyond the famous movie they made together.

She remembers the woman behind the celebrity — playful, intelligent, deeply compassionate and fiercely loyal to the people she loved.

Dolly’s Legacy Lives On

Parton’s career stretched across music, film, television and philanthropy.

She became known for songs such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” while also building a remarkable charitable legacy through initiatives such as the Imagination Library.

But Fonda’s tribute suggests that Parton’s greatest impact may have been more personal.

She made people feel seen, respected and welcomed.

As Fonda mourns her longtime friend, she is also remembering the qualities that made Dolly Parton so beloved around the world.

For millions of fans, Dolly was a superstar.

For Jane Fonda, she was something much more personal: a remarkable friend whose kindness and humanity stayed with everyone who knew her.