Following Dolly Parton’s Tragic Passing at 80, Disney+ Honors Music Icon With Streaming Special

For generations of fans, Dolly Parton felt like one of those rare stars who would always be there.

Her songs crossed decades. Her personality made her instantly recognizable. And her influence stretched well beyond country music into movies, television, philanthropy, theme parks, and even Disney.

Now, just one day after Parton’s death at 80, Disney is giving fans another way to remember the woman behind some of America’s most familiar songs and stories.

The company’s latest tribute looks back at the extraordinary road that took Parton from East Tennessee to worldwide fame, while giving viewers a chance to hear from Dolly herself.

The Music World Loses One of Its Biggest Icons

Country music icon Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80.

Parton’s team confirmed that she died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer. The news quickly sent shockwaves through the entertainment world as fans, fellow musicians, actors, and others who knew Parton began sharing memories and tributes.

Her death brought an end to a career that lasted nearly seven decades.

Parton grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee before building a career few entertainers could ever match. She became a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist, all while maintaining the unmistakable personality that connected fans to her.

Songs including “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “9 to 5” became part of American pop culture. But Parton’s reach went far beyond her music, which makes Disney’s latest tribute particularly fitting.

Disney+ Gives Fans a New Way to Remember Dolly

A special edition of 20/20 that aired Tuesday night on ABC is now available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

Titled Dolly Parton: An American Original – Special Edition of 20/20, the hour-long program is anchored by World News Tonight anchor David Muir and looks back at Parton’s life, career, and enormous influence.

Rather than focusing solely on her death, the special celebrates what Parton accomplished during her 80 years.

Viewers will see previously unseen interview material with Parton, along with memorable conversations she had with Robin Roberts and the late Barbara Walters. Those interviews offer another opportunity to hear Parton tell parts of her own story in her own unmistakable way.

The program traces her journey from a modest childhood in Tennessee to worldwide fame as an entertainer. It explores the many sides of her career, including her work as a songwriter, performer, actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

The tribute also brings in people connected to Parton and the entertainment industry. Jane Fonda, Keith Urban, Keke Palmer, Ashley McBryde, and Rascal Flatts are among those featured.

Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern and Opry Entertainment Group senior vice president and executive producer Dan Rogers also appear, along with Chris Connelly and Kelley L. Carter.

Together, the interviews and archival footage tell the story of an entertainer whose influence eventually reached far outside Nashville.

Disney Had Its Own Special History With Dolly Parton

Disney also remembered Parton following the news of her death.

In a message shared through the Disney Parks Facebook account, the company wrote, “A dreamer. A storyteller. An inspiration. An icon. Sending our love to the family of Dolly Parton ❤️”

The tribute carries extra meaning because Parton’s relationship with Disney stretched across decades.

In 1986, Parton performed her hit “9 to 5” in front of Cinderella Castle during Walt Disney World Resort’s 15th anniversary celebration.

Years later, a new generation of Disney fans discovered her through Hannah Montana. Parton appeared as Aunt Dolly, the godmother of Miley Stewart, played by Parton’s real-life goddaughter, Miley Cyrus.

The role introduced Parton’s personality and humor to younger viewers who may not have grown up listening to her country hits.

Parton also appeared in or contributed music to other Disney projects over the years, extending that connection well beyond her 1986 performance.

That history makes Disney’s message feel less like a standard celebrity tribute and more like a farewell to someone who had long been part of its world.

Dolly Parton’s Story Is Far From Over

Dolly Parton may be gone, but it is difficult to imagine her disappearing from American culture.

Her songs will continue playing. New generations will discover the stories behind them. Children will continue benefiting from the charitable work she spent decades building, while fans will still find pieces of her career across music, television, movies, and places like Dollywood.

Parton built something much bigger than a collection of hit records.

She created a legacy rooted in storytelling, humor, generosity, ambition, and the ability to connect with people from completely different walks of life.

Disney+ and Hulu’s new streaming tribute gives fans another opportunity to look back at how that remarkable story unfolded.

And for an entertainer who spent nearly seven decades making people sing, laugh, and dream a little bigger, there may be no more appropriate way to remember her.