Sally Field and Reba McEntire paid respect to the legendary Dolly Parton at the 2026 Emmys, just weeks after the country icon’s death.
The heartfelt musical tribute saw an introduction from Field, Parton’s “Steel Magnolias” co-star, and McEntire, one of Parton’s fellow country music superstars.
In the introduction, Field recalled working with Parton in their 1989 film, which also starred Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah.
“Over the years, I never stopped loving her,” Field gushed, praising Parton’s “blistering sense of humor” and admitting that she couldn’t see then what a “giant” she was at the time.
“God bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend. I am not the only one on earth who will love you forever,” Field concluded, before a video ran of Parton introducing her song “Appalachian Memories.”
McEntire then took the stage in a sparkling white dress, performing the emotional song to a live symphony.
Variety reported days aheadof television’s biggest night that a special tribute to the singer was in the works, though few details were offered.
“We’re holding it back,” producer Jesse Collins said, per the outlet. “But I think it will be a very beautiful tribute to Dolly.”
Country star Noah Kahan was also set to perform “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” during the In Memoriam segment following the country star’s tribute, the outlet reported.
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Parton was honored with a Primetime Emmy for her performance in the 2021 Netflix movie “Christmas on the Square,” and was nominated four additional times.
The “9 to 5” star died at the age of 80 on Aug. 25 after a private battle with cancer.
Page Six exclusively reported three days later that she was laid to rest in a private Nashville burial next to her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died at 82 in March 2025.
The country star’s cousin, Richie Owens, shared details about the “quick” and intimate memorialduring an August appearance on the “Today” show earlier this month.
Owens specified during the interview that Parton “wanted it very small” and to “keep it very, very private.” Only “a few” loved ones were invited to the memorial, he explained.
Dolly’s sister, Stella Parton, revealed in a subsequent interview that the last thing the Grammy winner asked her for was a prayer.
“My sister worked so hard for so long and just kept going. Even until the last conversation I had with her, she was working,” Stella told Gayle King on Thursday during “CBS Mornings.”
She added, “That was her passion.”
Stella also shared that prior to Dolly’s death, many family members weren’t aware of her illness.
“Dolly could not bear negative things and she would not have wanted her fans worried about it,” Stella divulged. “She didn’t want a lot of the family worried about it.”
She continued, “Some of us knew, the ones that were closer.”
Stella, 77, also clarified why the type of cancer Dolly battled wasn’t publicly revealed.
“That was her business,” Stella explained during the on-camera interview.
“She didn’t tell us that we could say it, so out of respect for her, I can talk about my love for her, describe who she is to me, but it’s not my business to tell her business.”
Dolly — who is best known for her country music career and movie appearances — also amassed a considerable body of work in television.
In addition to guest appearances on sitcoms including “Designing Women,” “Hannah Montana” and “The Simpsons,” among others, she also co-hosted “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” with real-life goddaughter Miley Cyrus in 2022.
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