Most known for her legendary country music career, Dolly Parton has also had a successful stint in Hollywood, appearing in a number of hit movies. Few recording artists have as varied a resume as Dolly Parton, and the noted songsmith has such a large personality that she was destined for the big screen. Besides lending memorable tunes to the movies she starred in, Parton also delivered strong performances that further endeared her to audiences. Regardless of what part she's playing, Parton elevates any movie project she takes a role in.
Dolly Parton got her start as a regular performer on , and she immediately made a splash with her lovable, larger-than-life personality. After years of success as a recording artist, Hollywood came calling in the early '80s, and she made her big screen debut in the 1980 movie . While the have been notable, it was Parton's actual performances on screen that got her the most attention. Her movies listed below vary in quality, but Parton shines in every one of them, making even her worst screen efforts worth seeing for her reliable and enjoyable charm.
Very little goes right in Disney's The titular Frank McKlusky, played by Dave Sheridan mimicking Jim Carrey's shtick, is an insurance investigator trying to solve the murder of his partner. Dolly Parton appears as McKlusky's overly protective mother, and she was woefully miscast in the understated role. The comedy fails to launch, as many of the jokes are ill-timed and not all that funny. received an extremely limited theatrical release before quickly fading away.
After the 2000 comedy became a smash hit, the studio dragged its feet when it came to releasing a sequel, and feels entirely unnecessary. Following her success in the first movie, Sandra Bullock's FBI Agent Gracie Hart is tasked with solving a high-profile kidnapping. Dolly Parton only appears as herself in a brief cameo and has little to do with the movie's financial success. Despite almost universally negative reviews, grossed over $100 million (via ) due in large part to name recognition and Bullock's star power.
Throughout the 1980s, Dolly Parton was on a roll in Hollywood, but 1984's was the singer's first big stumble on the big screen. The movie follows Parton's Jake Farris, a hit country singer who attempts to get out of her contract by turning a regular Joe (Sylvester Stallone) into a country music star. Despite its notable actors and Bob Clark () as the director, the movie misses the mark mostly because of its lackluster script. Parton and Stallone have very little chemistry, and the North versus South angle is quite tired. Even though it was a flop, did produce a few top-10 country hits for Parton.
With two powerful personalities, Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah, as its leads, is a spirited showing despite its many flaws. The movie follows Latifah's Vi Rose as she clashes with Parton's G.G. Sparrow over the direction of their church's gospel choir. Stuffed with overripe clichés involving star-crossed lovers, the movie delivers musically when all else fails. received middling to poor reviews from critics who questioned its overall authenticity, and it was not the commercial hit that it should have been considering its all-star cast. Parton is as charming as always, but even she couldn't save the movie from underperforming.
were all the rage in the 1990s, and revived the incredibly popular sitcom of the same name from that bygone era. The movie follows Jed Clampett (Jim Varney) a poor mountaineer who accidentally becomes a millionaire by discovering oil on his property. The heartwarming and nostalgic movie wasn't popular with critics, but it grossed an impressive $50 million (via ). Parton has a cameo in the movie as herself, and though she wasn't given much to do, she did contribute the quintessential Dolly song "If You Ain't Got Love" to the soundtrack.
Occasionally, movies with the silliest premises manage to surprise, and far exceeded its expectations. In the retelling of William Shakespeare's , the animated feature follows a pair of garden gnomes who fall in love despite the disapproval of their feuding families. Dolly Parton voices the race announcer Dolly Gnome, a character who is a clear approximation of herself. Its cute tone is undeniable, but , and it received mixed reviews from critics. Nevertheless, the movie was a box office smash, grossing nearly $200 million (via ) and spawning a sequel.
Movies that cast Dolly Parton in a lead role often rely on her charisma to carry the story, and is a prime example. Parton plays Shirlee Kenyon, a dance instructor who moves to Chicago and finds success as a radio talk show host by giving advice to others. Though the romance between Parton and co-star James Woods is dull, she is the star of the show. The movie received middling reviews, but Parton's performance was praised for being especially strong. She recorded all the songs for the film's soundtrack, and was clearly just meant to be a vehicle for the singer.
After a decade of making movies, Dolly Parton was only known for comedic roles, but allowed her to show more of herself than ever before. The movie chronicles a group of women in a small Southern town who bond over the triumphs and tragedies of their lives. Though it's mostly remembered as one of , Parton also shines as the town gossip, Truvy Jones. was met with praise from critics, but it was a certified hit when it grossed over $90 million (via ) and grew into a staple of popular culture.
not only takes advantage of Dolly Parton's musical prowess but also puts her flamboyant personality at the forefront. The movie follows a local sheriff (Burt Reynolds) as he fights to keep a brothel known as the "Chicken Ranch" open despite outside pressure to shut it down. Parton and Reynolds have electric onscreen chemistry, and the musical numbers are catchy and well-produced. Parton received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance, and her co-star Charles Durning scored an Oscar nod for his work. Despite middling reviews, it grossed almost $70 million (via ).
Dolly Parton's first role, in ,became the part that would define her career on screen. In the movie, a trio of office workers (Parton alongside ) conspire to get revenge against their misogynistic boss (Dabney Coleman). The movie grossed over $100 million (via ), and Parton holds her own alongside her more experienced co-leads. Parton scored an Oscar nomination for the title song, which remains one of her most memorable tunes. The movie is so beloved that the ranked it among its 100 funniest films of all time.
