The 2026 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles were a poignant event as Sally Field honored Dolly Parton, the late country music icon, in a heartfelt tribute. Field reflected on her former Steel Magnolias co-star, calling Parton an ‘angel on earth’ before her passing on August 25.
Parton, who battled cancer for a brief period, died at age 80. Her legacy and impact on country music were celebrated alongside Rob Reiner during the awards ceremony held at the Peacock Theater.
Field expressed her gratitude for having worked with Parton, describing her as genuine, humble, and remarkably funny. These qualities made her beloved by those around her.
Reba McEntire performed Parton’s 1983 hit, “Appalachian Memories,” during the ceremony, highlighting the reach and influence of Parton’s music and personality, which touched lives across Tennessee and beyond.
Parton passed surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.
Jamie Lee Curtis delivered a tribute to director Rob Reiner, who passed away last December. During Curtis’s tribute, the legacy and contributions of Reiner were acknowledged, including his posthumous Emmy Award for his guest role in The Bear.
Reiner held a record for the longest gap between acting Emmys, breaking his father Carl Reiner’s 37-year record.
The ceremony also honored the late Catherine O’Hara, with Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy remembering her influence and warmth, encouraging viewers to remember their loved ones.
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