From Studio to Screen: A Look at Dolly Parton’s Film And Television Career In Photos

Dolly Parton’s reign as a country music icon is undisputed, but the Queen of Country has also cultivated an impressive career on the silver screen and the small screen. 

Parton’s major television breakthrough came in 1967 when country star Porter Wagoner invited her to join his weekly syndicated variety program, The Porter Wagoner Show. This move was the most critical step in her early career. Parton replaced singer Norma Jean as the female vocalist on the show and became Wagoner’s full-time duet partner, appearing in 218 episodes over seven years.

Parton made her film debut in the 1980 hit 9 to 5, starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Doralee Rhodes, a secretary who plots revenge on her sexist boss. The role introduced her to a massive mainstream audience, earning her critical praise and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Even more significantly, she wrote and performed the iconic title song, “9 to 5,” which earned her her first Academy Award nomination.

Following her success, she earned her second Golden Globe nomination for the 1982 film adaptation of the Broadway musical, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She then joined the star-studded ensemble of the film Steel Magnolias in 1989. She continued to work consistently, moving to the small screen with guest roles in Designing Women (1990) and Babes (1991) and later appearing on Hannah Montana (2006) opposite her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus. Her career came full circle in 2022 when she reunited with her 9 to 5 co-stars on Grace and Frankie in 2022.

Scroll down to revisit Dolly Parton’s film and television career in photos.