Encyclopedia

Parton, Dolly

Parton, Dolly, 1946–, country singer, songwriter, and actress, b. Sevier County, Tenn. Among the most popular country singers of the 1970s and 80s, Parton is known for her Nashville-style flamboyance, talent for self-parody, and intelligent and witty approach to popular, country, and bluegrass music. She began performing (1956–59) as a child star in Knoxville, Tenn., and later collaborated with Porter Wagoner on his television show (1967–74). After moving to the West Coast in 1976 she had continued success, making her debut as an actress in the film 9 to 5, the title song of which became one of her hit recordings. Since 1968 she has been an owner of Dollywood, a popular Great Smoky Mountain theme park located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

See her autobiography, My Life and Other Unfinished Business (1994).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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