Julia Roberts, Sally Field and Daryl Hannah are remembering their “Steel Magnolias” co-star Dolly Parton.
Roberts tells Page Six in a statement, “Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”
The country music icon died at the age of 80, her nephew Bryan Seaver announced Tuesday.
Parton starred in 1989’s “Steel Magnolias” alongside Field, Hannah, Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis. (Dukakis died in 2021 at 89.)
Field paid tribute to Parton on Instagram with a heartfelt post.
“If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one. Dolly Parton,” she wrote alongside a throwback photo of the “Steel Magnolias” cast. “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.”
Hannah, in a statement obtained by Page Six, said, “It’s not unusual to speak in euphemisms about those who’ve passed – but with Dolly they are all truisms.”
“Without exaggeration, Dolly Parton was one of the sharpest, funniest, and warmest people I’ve ever met,” she continued, calling the singer “just the best example of how to be a great human.”
“I’m sure we will all continue to discover more about her humble, important, and generous altruistic charity work which, she would barely ever mention,” Hannah went on. “Yet, Dolly had a talent for always finding something complimentary to say about everyone, even those for whom it might be challenging.”
The actress praised Parton for having “loved and embraced life completely, and in 4-inch heels!”
“She was supportive, hilarious, outrageously talented, creative, and deeply empathetic! She outshines all the rhinestones on earth!” Hannah concluded. “I couldn’t have adored & respected her more.”
“Steel Magnolias” tells the story of a group of women who share a close bond of friendship. Parton played Truvy Jones, the owner of the local Louisiana beauty parlor.
Roberts won a Golden Globe for best supporting actress for her role in the film as Shelby, a young diabetic woman whose relationship with her mother, M’Lynn (played by Field), is a central part of the movie.
While promoting the film back in 1989, Roberts shared with Oprah Winfrey a moment she remembered on set with Parton. Roberts recalled how hot it was while filming in Louisiana, but noted that the singer never complained.
“And I finally, I just had to say, ‘Dolly, you’ve got a wig, and the wool, I mean, c’mon. It’s hot, sweat a little. Just say, I’m hot, you know? This is a drag,” Roberts recalled.
“I remember we were sitting on the porch, and she said to me, ‘When I was a little girl, I wanted to be famous, and I wanted to be rich, and now I’m both of these things, I’m not going to complain about it.’”
Roberts said the moment definitely stuck with her.
“And I thought, ‘OK, I’m going to be quiet for the rest of the day.’ I’ve never forgotten it. And every time I go to complain, or just kind of moan, I always hear Dolly sitting on the porch and saying that, and it kinda keeps you quiet,” she said.
In Seaver’s emotional video on behalf of the Parton family, he spoke about the legendary singer-songwriter’s legacy.
“Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life, and across every continent,” he shared. “By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
He also shared, “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest. Rest in peace aunt dolly. Aunt Granny. Gigi. May God Bless Dolly Parton and may got bless you all. She will always love you.”
