Country music icon Dolly Parton was remembered with an emotional tribute at the 2026 Emmy Awards, weeks after her death at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
A picture of late US singer-songwriter Dolly Parton is projected on screen as US singer/songwriter Noah Kahan performs during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles on September 14, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Dolly Parton was honoured with an emotional tribute at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday, weeks after the legendary singer and actress died at the age of 80.
Parton died on August 25, after a private battle with cancer. Her death was acknowledged during the ceremony at the Peacock Theater, where actress Sally Field and country music star Reba McEntire paid tribute to the late entertainer.
Field, who starred alongside Parton in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias, introduced the tribute.
“If there are truly angels on earth, then we just lost one, Dolly Parton,” Field said.
Recalling their time working together, Field described Parton as genuine, humble, supportive and “blisteringly funny”, while praising her humanitarian work and the impact she had on Tennessee and beyond.
She concluded by saying, “God bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend. I am not the only one on Earth that will love you forever and ever.”
An archival clip of Parton was then shown from the 1983 Emmy Awards, where she introduced and performed her song Appalachian Memories.
McEntire subsequently performed an orchestral rendition of the song as a tribute to Parton. The country singer, who was a longtime friend of Parton, ended the performance with an emotional message to her late friend.
“I love you, Dolly. So much,” McEntire said.
Dolly Parton’s Emmy Legacy
Parton had a long association with television, both as a performer and producer.
She received multiple Primetime Emmy nominations during her career and won the Outstanding Television Movie award in 2021 as an executive producer of Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square. The film also won an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming.
Her other Emmy nominations included Cher… Special in 1978, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love in 2017, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: These Old Bones in 2020 and Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas in 2023.
Beyond her appearances on television, Parton co-founded Sandollar Productions with her longtime manager Sandy Gallin. The company produced television series including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel. She also starred in her own variety show, Dolly, and made appearances on programmes including Hannah Montana.
The tribute at the Emmys highlighted Parton’s impact across music, film and television, as well as her philanthropic legacy.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were hosted by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay.
