Sally Field delivered one of the most emotional moments of the 78th Emmy Awards when she helped honor her late friend and “Steel Magnolias” co-star Dolly Parton. The tribute took place on September 14, just weeks after Parton died on August 25 at age 80.
Field and Parton formed a close bond while making the 1989 film “Steel Magnolias,” which also starred Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis. Decades later, Field said the affection she developed for Parton during that experience never disappeared.
Standing on the Emmy stage, Field remembered Parton as genuine, humble, supportive and extraordinarily funny. She also emphasized that Parton’s importance extended far beyond entertainment because of the difference her humanitarian efforts made in Tennessee and elsewhere.
Field visibly struggled with the emotion of the moment. Speaking with reporters afterward, she joked that actors normally spend considerable effort trying to cry, but during the Parton tribute she faced the opposite problem—she was trying not to cry.
She explained that working closely on a movie can create an unusually intense connection between cast members. Field compared the experience to going through a battle together because actors spend so much time depending on one another while making a film.
Then Field shared a much lighter memory from the “Steel Magnolias” days. She recalled that the women in the cast would actually go shopping together, including trips to Walmart, and humorously asked people to imagine that famous group suddenly walking into the store.
Although Field and Parton later lived far apart and struggled to find opportunities to meet, Field said their connection remained important to her. Whenever they did manage to reach out to each other, she believed the affection between them was still mutual.
Field’s introduction led into the musical portion of the tribute, with Reba McEntire taking the stage to perform Parton’s 1983 song “Appalachian Memories.” The deeply personal song reflects Parton’s connection to her Appalachian upbringing and appeared on her album “Burlap & Satin.”
McEntire’s performance provided an emotional continuation of Field’s memories. Rather than choosing one of Parton’s biggest crossover hits, the tribute centered on a song closely tied to the country legend’s family, childhood and roots.
The performance also contained a particularly personal detail: McEntire wore pieces of Parton’s own jewelry. Among them were a butterfly ring from Parton’s personal collection and earrings she had previously worn in the “Does He Love You” music video with McEntire.
McEntire finished the song with a brief message directly to her late friend, telling Dolly how much she loved her. Combined with Field’s memories, the performance felt less like a conventional awards-show segment and more like two longtime friends offering their own farewell.
For Field, the night carried another major personal milestone: she won her fourth Emmy for “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” Yet her recollection of ordinary moments like shopping at Walmart with Parton offered perhaps the most intimate glimpse into their friendship, showing that behind Dolly Parton’s enormous celebrity was a woman whose warmth and humor remained unforgettable to the people who knew her personally.
