Colleagues and admirers of Dolly Parton paid tribute to the late country music icon after the announcement of her death Tuesday.
Her “9 to 5” co-star Lily Tomlin was among the first to honor the late “I Will Always Love You” singer with a black and white picture of the two of them in their youth, stating simply “No words.”
Jane Fonda also paid tribute to Parton, saying that she “just learned” of the passing of her confidant and “9 to 5” co-star.
“I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this – more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram statement. “Let’s be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now. I never knew anyone like her. She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves. She was many things…lyricist, songstress, player of many instruments, writer, prankster, visionary, loyal friend, who’d never go to bed before she and her friends had laughed so hard they’d have to cross their legs.”
“She was the voluptuous embodiment of empathy. That’s something of hers she’d want us all to take with us,” she added.
The actor and activist specifically acknowledged Parton’s LGBTQ+ fans.
“To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you. You know that without me telling you,” Fonda said. “She loved all her fans and they are legion. And you know she doesn’t want y’all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit. But first, watch the final episode of Grace and Frankie where she’s an Angel, the head honcho working class angel in Heaven.”
President Donald Trump said that he would lower flags to half-staff for the entire week to honor the American legend in his tribute.
“Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” he wrote in a Truth Social post. “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will. In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
Others flooded the comment section of Parton’s most recent Instagram post in which her nephew and head of security Bryan Seaver confirmed her passing.
“Thank you, Dolly! You made the world a better place <3,” Leslie Mann commented on the video.
“Dolly was one of a kind. What a legend and we will all miss her dearly,” comedian Heather McMahan added.
Country star Kacey Musgraves mourned Parton on X, saying “no one talk to me today.”
“This really really hurts,” she wrote. “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
The Country Music Association honored the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award winner for her six decades-long career and her contributions to country music at large.
“At the end of the day, few artists define Country Music better than the one-word, Dolly,” Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO, said. “Over her decades-long career, I worked with her on a number of programs. She was always the most professional in every setting, often walking off the bus in heels and hair and makeup ready to go, before expected and before the cast and crew.”
“However, along with the music, our biggest loss today is her work as a philanthropist and the genuine difference she has made in people’s lives throughout the world. There will only ever be one Dolly,” she added.
Keke Palmer, who worked with the singer-songwriter on the musical dramedy film “Joyful Noise,” paid tribute to the singer. She shared a picture of them on set together from 2012.
Keith Urban said in an Instagram story he was “heartbroken.”
GLAAD’s president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis thanks Parton for her contributions to the LGBTQ+ community through her activism and philanthropy.
“Dolly Parton was not only the ‘Queen of Country Music’, but indeed the queen of inclusivity and philanthropy. Her support for LGBTQ people spans decades, from the 1990s with her track ‘Family,’ where she expressed that all should be welcome regardless of religion or sexual orientation; to the powerful ballad “Travelin’ Thru,” which Parton penned for the film “TransAmerica” and earned her an Oscar nomination; to her early support of marriage equality in 2009, well before its legalization,” she wrote. “Parton’s warm spirit, kindheartedness and joie de vivre deeply resonated with the LGBTQ community, cementing her as a global queer icon whose art always held space for outsiders, no matter the risk. Parton’s entire career was built on love and respect for all, and her unwavering allyship is a legacy that will last forever.”
Seth MacFarlane said “the world is a dimmer place today without her” in his tribute to the legend. The two shared the screen on comedy sci-fi series “The Orville.”
“I had the extraordinary experience of working with her on ‘The Orville,’ and it was a joy to discover that she really was exactly the person we all hoped she was,” he wrote in a post to X. “Her kindness, generosity, and authenticity were evident from moment one, and the benign yet assured command she maintained over her empire was obvious from the genuine love and trust you could see from everyone who worked for her. The world is a dimmer place today without her.
Kristin Chenoweth shared that she was heartbroken to hear the news of Parton’s passing in a carousel post on Instagram.
“I met Dolly on several occasions and she always made me feel like one of her own,” she wrote. “She even agreed to sing with me on one of my records. My ultimate inspiration. 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.”
Read more reactions to Parton’s passing below:
Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side.
— Reba McEntire (@reba) August 25, 2026
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… pic.twitter.com/qpbvKUNbiM
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. pic.twitter.com/kKOuTrcFo9
— Colman Domingo (@colmandomingo) August 25, 2026
Heartbroken to hear about Queen @DollyParton’s passing 😭💔 She was a true icon and such an inspiration to me. Her talent, heart and kindness touched so many lives, and she truly left this world better than she found it 🥹✨ Sending all my love to her family, friends and everyone… pic.twitter.com/FdKC6sPTGf
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) August 25, 2026
Dolly Parton’s music helped light up the world. She was a brilliant songwriter, cultural icon, and dedicated philanthropist who helped instill a love of reading and learning in millions of children around the world. May she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/TfOcr6e2oe
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 25, 2026
I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today. I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on The Voice. I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like… pic.twitter.com/9ycD4lSpO9
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) August 25, 2026
Rest peacefully Dolly, thank you for the joy and the music and the example you set for us all ❤️
— Noah Kahan (@NoahKahan) August 25, 2026
Dolly Parton was one of a kind—a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart. She rose high from her East Tennessee roots and never forgot where she came from. And she always believed in giving back, especially in…
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 25, 2026
Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left… pic.twitter.com/swUmwRG0XJ
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) August 25, 2026
