Sally Field delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late country music legend Dolly Parton at the 2026 Emmy Awards, describing her as "an angel on earth." Field, who starred alongside Parton in "Steel Magnolias," shared memories of their time working together.
"If there are truly angels on earth, then we just lost one, Dolly Parton," Field said of her co-star. Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80, following a brief battle with cancer. Field recalled Parton's genuine nature, humility, and sharp wit, emphasizing her profound impact not only as an artist but as a humanitarian.
"She was a humanitarian who's contributions had made a profound difference in the lives of so many in her home state of Tennessee, and across our country," Field stated. "God bless you, Dolly Parton my friend. I am not the only one on earth that will love you forever and ever."
Reba McEntire performed a rendition of Parton's 1983 hit song, "Appalachian Memories," during the ceremony.
The awards ceremony also honored the late director Rob Reiner. Jamie Lee Curtis commemorated Reiner, who died in December alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Noah Kahan led a performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" in his memory.
"Last year we lost another cherished legend, our beloved 'Meathead,' Rob Reiner," Curtis said. "He was generous and kind and funny as hell and a friend to all."
During the Creative Arts Emmys, Reiner received a posthumous Emmy for his guest role in "The Bear." Curtis noted that this win set a record for the longest gap between acting Emmys, surpassing his father Carl Reiner's previous record.
In another tribute, Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy remembered Catherine O'Hara, who died in January at age 71 following a brief illness. Culkin, who played O'Hara's son in "Home Alone," shared a touching message: "She was encouraging, she was warm, she was funny. But the word that I think of is mama."