Sally Field reflected on Dolly Parton's legacy during a moving tribute to the late country music legend at the 2026 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Calif."If there are truly angels on earth, then we just lost one, Dolly Parton," Field confessed of her "Steel Magnolias" co-star.Parton died on Aug.25 following a "brief battle with cancer," according to her representatives.
She was 80.DOLLY PARTON'S LIFE IN HER OWN WORDS: FROM SMOKY MOUNTAINS POVERTY TO COUNTRY MUSIC IMMORTALITYDolly Parton and Rob Reiner were each honored during the 78th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday.(Getty Images)"It was my great, good fortune to have worked with Dolly in a film called 'Steel Magnolias,' and over the years I never stopped loving her though we lived very far apart," Field told the audience at the Peacock Theater.
"I adored her from day one, how could you not?""She was genuine, and humble, supportive and blisteringly funny with a bawdy sense of humor that would send any rude guy looking for a place to hide."CARRIE UNDERWOOD HONORS DOLLY PARTON'S FAITH AND LEGACY DURING EMOTIONAL CONCERT TRIBUTEReba McEntire performed a rendition of Parton's '83 hit, "Appalachian Memories." (Patrick T.Fallon)Field, 79, admitted that she "couldn't see then what a real giant Dolly was.""Not just as an artist, but as a human ...
She was a humanitarian who's contributions had made a profound difference in the lives of so many in her home state of Tennessee, and across our country," Field said."God bless you, Dolly Parton my friend.I am not the only one on earth that will love you forever and ever."Dolly Parton died in August after a brief battle with cancer.
(ABC Photo Archives)GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HEREDressed in a sparkling white gown, Reba McEntire then took the stage to perform a rendition of Parton's classic 1983 song, "Appalachian Memories."Parton was surrounded by loved ones at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center when she died peacefully in ...