“ At the end of the day , I hope to be remembered as a good songwriter . The songs are my legacy ,” Parton wrote in her book , Songteller : My Life in Lyrics , which features 175 of the 3,000 songs she ’ s written . Parton can belt out more than vocals , too . She plays several instruments , including the guitar , banjo , piano , autoharp , violin , dulcimer , harmonica , and saxophone .
After respectfully turning down the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination in February , Parton accepted her nomination in April . In her initial statement about declining the nomination , she said , “ I don ’ t feel I have earned the right . I don ’ t want the judges to split votes because of me , so I must respectfully bow out .”
In an interview with NPR ’ s “ Morning Edition ,” Parton said if she is voted in by fans , she would accept the honor . The induction ceremony will take place on Nov . 5 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles . It also will air on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max .
An actress may come to mind when you think of Parton , as she starred in popular films such as 9 to 5 , for which she wrote and recorded the song of the same name that topped the country and pop charts in early 1981 . In addition , she earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas ( 1982 ). She also starred in Rhinestone ( 1984 ), Steel Magnolias ( 1989 ), Straight Talk ( 1992 ), and Joyful Noise ( 2012 ).
Parton has continued to act in made-for-TV films , Netflix series , and more . In her latest acting stint in July 2022 , she played herself on the scifi show The Orville in the episode “ Midnight Blue .”
“ I only take parts close to my personality ,” Parton said on Beyond the Influence Radio with Tim McGraw . “ I have never yet done a scene that was far-fetched .”
If you didn ’ t know Parton as a hardworking songwriter , singer , actress , and philanthropist , you might know her as a businesswoman . During the height of her movie career in the ’ 80s , she was building her brand , opening the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge , Tennessee , and founding Sandollar Productions , which produced the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie . She ’ s also used her earnings to open a dinner theater , the waterpark Dollywood ’ s Splash Country , and the Dream More Resort and Spa .
“ As soon as I could , I started my own publishing company , got my record label . I think it ’ s important , if you can , to keep all your goods close to home where you can control them and know what ’ s happening with them ,” she said in a Biography . com article .
From a musician to a humanitarian — you know who Dolly Parton is if you didn ’ t already . Still , you may wonder how she ’ s managed to stay healthy mentally and physically throughout her successful career .
Like any of us , she ’ s had emotional challenges , health issues , family problems , and more . Away from the limelight , Parton has struggled with binge eating , excessive drinking , dangerous diets , depression , and suicidal thoughts . However , her faith turned her bad habits around following a partial hysterectomy from an endometriosis diagnosis .
“ I was getting away with murder ,” she stated , as recorded in the book Dolly on Dolly . “ See , I was 35 when I first got sick . I wasn ’ t watch-
10 • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022
PHOTOS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM , LEFT TO RIGHT Steel Magnolias ( 1989 ), Photo Courtesy TriStar Pictures ; Nine to Five ( 1980 ), Photo Courtesy 20th Century Fox ; The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas ( 1982 ), Photo Courtesy RKO
Radio Pictures ; Rhinestone ( 1984 ), Photo Courtesy 20th Century Fox ; Dolly ( 1988 ), Photo Courtesy ABC ; Dolly Parton : 50 Years At The Opry ( 2019 ), Photo Courtesy NBC