Sally Field, who starred alongside Dolly Parton in the 1989 film "Steel Magnolias," was photographed arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday. This marks the first public appearance of the 79-year-old actress since Parton's death on Tuesday at the age of 80, following a brief battle with cancer.
Field was dressed in casual attire, including wide-leg light wash jeans, a blue button-up shirt, a black blazer, and a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap. She wore white sneakers with pink soles and was accompanied by her small black dog. Her greying dark hair was visible beneath her hat, and she wore square-shaped eyeglasses.
In the wake of Parton's death, Field shared a tribute on Instagram, posting a photograph of the "Steel Magnolias" cast from the late 1980s. "If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one," Field wrote in the caption. "Dolly Parton. There will never be another. I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together. Forever. Rest in peace beautiful Dolly."
"Steel Magnolias" tells the story of a group of women in the Southern United States who support each other through life's challenges. Shirley MacLaine, another co-star from the film, also offered a statement, telling People, "God sent her to us, and she has returned home."
Parton's death was confirmed on Tuesday via an Instagram video posted by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver. According to TMZ, she had been admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on August 21 for autoimmune and kidney problems. Four days prior to her passing, Parton had expressed to People her desire to achieve "so many things," including launching a new hotel and museum in Nashville.
Seaver stated in the video that the announcement was something Parton had requested years prior. He described his aunt as someone who "lived in the light" and is now "in the arms of Jesus," reunited with her late husband Carl Dean, her parents, and others in heaven.
Discussions are underway to potentially honor Parton's legacy by renaming Nashville International Airport. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has reportedly spoken with Parton's representatives about the proposal, which Parton's team has indicated they are open to, according to a press release from Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. Governor Lee commented that Parton's life is "forever woven into the fabric of our state," and that it would be fitting for the airport, a gateway to Tennessee, to bear the name of its "favorite daughter."