Jane Fonda gets emotional remembering Dolly Parton: 'She meant love'

Jane Fonda, the Oscar-winning actor, became visibly emotional while speaking about her late friend and '9 to 5' co-star, Dolly Parton, who passed away last week. During a recent interview, the 88-year-old struggled to hold back tears as she described what Parton meant to her.

"She meant love," Fonda said, her voice breaking. "She really did. She loved everyone."

Fonda shared a personal memory of Parton's generosity, recalling how the country music icon helped her prepare for her role in the 1984 film 'The Dollmaker'. To portray a character from Appalachia, Fonda spent ten days traveling with Parton on her tour bus through parts of Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

"Dolly's the only hillbilly I knew, so she helped me find a hillbilly that I could base my character on," Fonda explained.

The journey left a lasting impression. Fonda described visiting remote communities where people lived in simple homes without electricity or running water. She noted how Parton was warmly received everywhere because of the genuine respect she showed the residents.

"And they loved her so much, that they accepted my presence. And it was so clear that she absolutely respected them," Fonda said.

Fonda also credited Parton with teaching her the importance of acknowledging fans. "She never played down, she always was pulled together, she was always who she was out of respect for her fans," Fonda recalled. "She knew from the get-go who she was."

Despite being mocked for her appearance, Parton remained in control of her talent and career. Fonda praised her intelligence, saying Parton had a unique ability to see through people to their essence, challenging the "dumb blond" stereotype.

Fonda and Parton starred together in the 1980 comedy '9 to 5' alongside Lily Tomlin. The film became a defining collaboration and marked Parton's major acting debut. Her death has prompted tributes from fans and fellow artists across Hollywood.