Jane Fonda became emotional recalling her friendship with Dolly Parton, the "9 to 5" co-star whose death she mourned last week. Speaking to Democracy Now!, Fonda described Parton as someone who "meant love" and "loved everyone."
Fonda, 88, shared memories of spending 10 days with Parton on a tour bus while preparing for her role in the 1984 film "The Dollmaker." Parton, who hailed from Appalachia, helped Fonda understand the culture for her character.
"She taught me the importance of acknowledging and respecting fans," Fonda said, noting Parton's consistent respect for her audience, which she maintained by always being true to herself. "She knew from the get-go who she was."
Fonda also praised Parton's business acumen and control over her career. "She was always in charge of her talent, her business and her career," Fonda stated. She highlighted Parton's intelligence and her ability to defy the "dumb blond" stereotype often imposed upon her, suggesting Parton possessed an "X-Ray vision" to see people's true essence.
The pair first met on the set of the 1980 film "9 to 5," where they starred alongside Lily Tomlin as three secretaries seeking revenge against their boss. Fonda recounted how she envisioned the film as a darker story until Tomlin and Parton were cast, transforming it into a comedy.
Fonda recalled Parton's professionalism on the first day of "9 to 5" filming, where she had the entire script memorized. Fonda also described Parton's theme song for the movie as the "anthem of the secretaries movement."
Parton's death was announced on August 25, following a brief battle with cancer. She was 80 years old. Her passing was met with widespread tributes, including a lengthy Instagram post from Fonda remembering the Grammy winner as a "naughty, playful southern gal."