Jelly Roll Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton on Jimmy Kimmel Live: "The Last American That Everyone Liked"
Jelly Roll honoured Dolly Parton while guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live on 26 August, telling the studio audience: "We lost a legend today." Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones in Nashville, her team confirmed (Rolling Stone).
Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in a video posted to Facebook. Seaver had served as her head of security for more than two decades — a role his father, Larry, held before him (Rolling Stone).
Both Parton and Jelly Roll are from Tennessee, and the rapper-turned-country singer drew on that shared ground in his tribute. He said Parton taught him about songwriting, navigating the music business, and supporting one's community. He described her as "infinitely talented," "relentlessly funny," and "adored by all" (LateNighter).
One line landed harder than the rest. Jelly Roll said Parton "might be the last American that everyone liked" (Jimmy Kimmel Live, Facebook). The show's own post echoed that sentiment, saying Parton "transcended political lines, religion, economic status" and "accepted us all."
On the same episode, Jelly Roll sat down with actor and comedian Leanne Morgan, who told him she raised her children at Dollywood — the Tennessee theme park Parton co-founded — and still keeps a Dollywood season pass in her wallet (Rolling Stone).
Tributes have come from across the entertainment world since Parton's death was announced. USA Today reported celebrity reactions including one from Taylor Swift (USA Today). Jane Fonda, 88 — Parton's co-star in the 1980 film 9 to 5 — wrote on Instagram that she was devastated to learn Parton had "moved on," and that millions are mourning (USA Today). CBC published a separate story on the wave of tributes from the country music community and beyond (CBC). Knox News compiled worldwide reactions in a live updates page on 25 August (Knox News).
For fans, the breadth of those mourning — from a late-night host to a Hollywood icon to country listeners worldwide — is a measure of the reach Parton built across six decades: songs, films, a theme park, a literacy programme that has donated over 250 million books to children, and a public persona that rarely drew a harsh word.
