The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Monday featured an emotional tribute to the late Dolly Parton, who was honored during the In Memoriam segment. The iconic singer and actress, who passed away on August 25 at the age of 80, was remembered by colleagues and viewers alike.
Actress Sally Field, who starred alongside Parton in the 1989 film "Steel Magnolias," delivered a heartfelt speech. "If there are truly angels on Earth, then we just lost one, Dolly Parton," Field stated. "It was my great, good fortune to have worked with Dolly." She recalled Parton's genuine nature, humility, and support, adding that Parton possessed a "bawdy sense of humor that would send any rude guy looking for a place to hide."
Field recounted her experience acting with Parton, noting, "You know, as an actor, you spend a whole lot of time – especially me – trying to make yourself cry. And I was trying to make myself not cry." Field concluded her remembrance by saying, "God bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend. I am not the only one on Earth that will love you forever and ever."
Following Field's tribute, Reba McEntire took to the stage to perform Parton's 1983 track "Appalachian Memories." Fog enveloped the stage as McEntire sang, accompanied by an orchestra. Parton's image was displayed during the performance and throughout the In Memoriam segment, evoking a strong emotional response from viewers, many of whom shared on social media that they were left "sobbing."
Parton's passing comes after a private battle with cancer. The previous year, her husband, Carl Dean, died at the age of 82.
The awards ceremony also recognized achievements in television across various genres. "The Pitt" secured the award for Outstanding Drama Series, while "Widow's Bay" won for Outstanding Comedy Series. The Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series award went to "DTF St. Louis." In the acting categories, Rhea Seehorn won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for "Pluribus," and Noah Wyle took home Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "The Pitt." Allison Janney received the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for "The Diplomat," and Tom Pelphrey won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for "Task." For comedy, Jean Smart was awarded Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for "Hacks," and Matthew Rhys won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for "Widow's Bay." Kate O’Flynn earned Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Widow's Bay," with Stephen Root winning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the same show.