Μake us preferred on Google Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80 , was “at least temporarily,” in her words, “a full-fledged movie star,” according to her autobiography “Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business.”
In the book, the country music legend recounted the Hollywood recognition that followed the success of her musical “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” in 1982. Parton’s film career yielded classics, including “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias,” as well as flops, like “Rhinestone.” Here’s a look at her most memorable roles.
“9 to 5” (1980)
She played: Secretary Doralee Rhodes, who takes revenge on her boorish boss
Her story: Parton’s greatest contribution to the movie might have been its title—and the song she wrote for it, in which she croons about grabbing herself a “cup of ambition.” But Parton was just as instrumental on screen, starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, as one of three women who take revenge on their cruel, sexual harasser of a boss. It was her first movie role, and Fonda was eager to cast her. Parton was at first reluctant, but she signed up on the advice of her manager. “As it turned out, it was the perfect role for me to break into the movies,” she wrote. She had a great time with her co-stars. “A lot of people were sayin’, ‘Boy, I would l-o-o-o-v-e to see that. There ain’t no way them three bitches are gonna get along! Can you imagine three women like that?!’ And you know, we had the greatest time,” Parton said in an interview with Rolling Stone . To prepare, Parton memorized the entire script.
“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982)
She played: Mona, the madam who presides over the “Chicken Ranch”
Her story: In her book, Parton wrote that after she had a “wonderful time” on “9 to 5,” she was eager to do another movie. So she signed on to play the sweet brothel proprietor in this film, based on a 1978 Broadway musical. It was the “completely opposite experience,” she wrote, adding, “I was still relatively green in the movie business and didn’t know that by the time I got involved there was already what they call ‘a lot of blood on the project.’” Her co-star Burt Reynolds was in a bad mood. People were being fired. Critics panned the movie, which paired her with Reynolds as the sheriff who also happens to be her lover, but it became a bona fide hit anyway and was the ninth highest grossing movie of the year.
“Rhinestone” (1984)
She played: Jake Farris, a singer who tries to make a New York cabbie (Sylvester Stallone) a country star
Her story: The film was a massive flop. Parton wrote in her book: “I guess the public didn’t want to see Sylvester Stallone do comedy. Or maybe they didn’t want to see me do Sylvester Stallone. One thing is certain: They didn’t want to see ‘Rhinestone.’” Parton adored Stallone, whom she called “better than popcorn.”
“Steel Magnolias” (1989)
She played: Truvy, the Louisiana hairdresser whose home serves as a gathering spot for the local women
Her story: The director Herbert Ross didn’t particularly like Parton, telling her she couldn’t act. Her retort: “‘I’m not an actress, I’m Dolly Parton. I’m a personality who has been hired to do this movie. You’re the director. It’s your job to make me look like I’m acting.’” Others strongly disagreed with Ross. In his review, Roger Ebert called her “one of the sunniest and most natural of actresses.” Parton told the Associated Press at the time that if she hadn’t become a star she might have sought a job like Truvy’s . “I would have wanted to have a career in glamour, to be able to keep up my hair and nails and makeup, and have an excuse to do it,” she said.
“Joyful Noise” (2012)
She played: G.G. Sparrow, a member of a local Georgia church choir
Her story: After an extended period where her film work was mostly cameos, Parton returned to the screen in this inspirational comedy about a small town church choir where she plays antagonist to Queen Latifah’s choir director. Speaking with NPR, Parton said she was happy to make jokes about her plastic surgery , even encouraging writer-director Todd Graff to make those kinds of references. “I said, ‘Look, I’m not touchy at all about this. If we can get a laugh, I’m all for it,’” she said.
Write to Esther Zuckerman at esther.zuckerman@wsj.com
