Hollywood, CA – November 17, 2025 – In a glittering evening that blended Hollywood glamour with profound tributes to lifetime achievement, country music legend Dolly Parton accepted the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award via a pre-recorded video message at the 16th annual Academy Governors Awards on Sunday, November 16. The event, held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood, celebrated Parton’s decades-spanning philanthropy, which has touched millions through education, literacy, and disaster relief efforts. Unable to attend in person due to ongoing health concerns, the 79-year-old icon delivered a message that was equal parts emotional, humorous, and inspirational, reminding audiences why she remains one of America’s most beloved figures.
Parton, known for her larger-than-life persona and unwavering commitment to giving back, appeared radiant in her video from her Nashville home, dressed in a sparkling ensemble that echoed her signature rhinestone flair. “Well hi, everybody! I wanna thank my good buddy Lily Tomlin for presenting me with this award. Hi Lily, I love you,” she began, her warm Southern drawl filling the room as the audience erupted in applause. Introduced by her longtime friend and 9 to 5 co-star Lily Tomlin, who received a standing ovation for her hilariously meandering 15-minute tribute—complete with improvised anecdotes about their film collaboration—Parton reflected on the honor’s deeper meaning. Tomlin, 86, recounted how Jane Fonda pivoted the 9 to 5 script from drama to comedy and, upon hearing Parton’s 1978 hit “Two Doors Down” on the radio, knew she was perfect for the role. “She is one of the few people who remain in this world that everyone loves and respects... not just 9 to 5 but 24 hours a day, every day of the year,” Tomlin quipped, drawing laughter and cheers.
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Oscar statuette named after Danish-American actor and philanthropist Jean Hersholt, recognizes individuals in the motion picture industry whose efforts promote human welfare and address inequities. Parton’s selection was announced in June by Academy President Janet Yang, who praised her as exemplifying “the spirit of the award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts.” In her speech, Parton delved into her roots in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, where she grew up as the fourth of 12 children in a one-room cabin. “I grew up in a house with 12 kids… my mom and daddy showed me that the more you give, the more blessings come your way,” she shared, her voice cracking with emotion. “From my heart to yours, I truly thank you.” She added that living by this principle has been her life’s guiding force, and the award feels like “the blessing of a lifetime.”
Parton’s philanthropy is no small feat. Since founding the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, she has championed education in her native East Tennessee, particularly for underprivileged youth. Her flagship initiative, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, launched in 1995 in honor of her illiterate father, has mailed over 285 million free books to children worldwide, fostering early literacy in all 50 U.S. states and 20 countries. The program’s impact is staggering: studies show participating children score higher on vocabulary tests and are more likely to enjoy reading. Beyond books, Parton’s efforts include the Dollywood Foundation’s scholarships, which have funded over 3,000 students, and her $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for a COVID-19 vaccine in 2020—famously quipping, “I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it!” Her work extends to disaster relief, like the 2016 Sevier County wildfires that ravaged her hometown, where she raised millions for recovery.
This isn’t Parton’s first brush with cinematic accolades; she earned two Oscar nominations for Best Original Song—for “9 to 5” in 1980 and “Travelin’ Thru” from Transamerica in 2005. Yet, the Hersholt Award places her in elite company. Past recipients include Oprah Winfrey (2011), honored for her media empire’s global empowerment initiatives; Angelina Jolie (2013), for refugee advocacy; Geena Davis (2019), for gender equity in film; Tyler Perry (2021), for his studio’s inclusive storytelling; Michael J. Fox (2023), for Parkinson’s research; Jerry Lewis (2009), for muscular dystrophy telethons; and Debbie Reynolds (2015), for arts preservation. Earlier honorees like Frank Sinatra (1971) and Quincy Jones (1995) underscore the award’s tradition of celebrating cross-industry icons who transcend entertainment to effect real-world change.
Parton’s absence from the ceremony stemmed from health challenges that have made headlines this year. In September, she postponed her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years—six shows at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum—from December 2025 to September 2026, citing the need for “a few procedures” advised by her doctors. Her representative later clarified it involved kidney stones, a condition that also forced her to skip a Dollywood event. The timing compounded grief from March, when her husband of nearly 58 years, Carl Dean, passed away at 82. Fans grew concerned in October after her sister Freida posted on Facebook, “Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” urging “prayer warriors” to join her. Parton quickly addressed rumors in a video, joking, “I ain’t dead yet! Do I look sick to you?” She emphasized she’s “getting better every day” at home, surrounded by family, and even shared footage of herself hunting for her new memoir, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, in bookstores—proving her indomitable spirit.
Despite these hurdles, Parton’s message ended on an uplifting note: “It makes me want to dream up new ways to help lift people up—and isn’t that what we’re here for?” Andra Day followed with a soulful rendition of “Jolene,” Parton’s 1973 classic, earning thunderous applause. Video tributes from Steel Magnolias co-star Julia Roberts reinforced Parton’s unifying power: “Dolly’s power is one the world needs right now. It’s her empathy... her commitment to unifying us, to always wanting to build up and never tear down.”
The Governors Awards also honored three others with Academy Honorary Awards for lifetime contributions. Actor-producer Tom Cruise, 63, finally claimed his first Oscar after four nominations, receiving a standing ovation for a passionate speech on cinema’s magic. Presented by director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Cruise declared, “Making films is not what I do. It is who I am.” He praised the collaborative spirit of filmmaking—“I carry you with me, each of you, and you are part of every frame”—and championed theatrical experiences, recalling his first film memory at age 4. Cruise, star of blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick (2022) and the Mission: Impossible franchise, was lauded for his stunts advocacy and theatrical commitment.
Choreographer-actress Debbie Allen, 75, known for Fame and 17 Oscar telecast choreographies, was presented by Cynthia Erivo and quipped about “marrying” her statuette: “I’m definitely taking him to work with me.” Production designer Wynn Thomas, the first Black in his field, reflected on overcoming poverty and prejudice: “The local gangs looked down on me and called me a sissy. But that sissy grew up to work with some great filmmakers!” Collaborators like Spike Lee and Ron Howard praised his visionary designs on films from Do the Right Thing to Apollo 13.
The untelevised event doubled as an Oscar-season kickoff, buzzing with stars like Sydney Sweeney, Ariana Grande, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Emma Stone schmoozing voters. As Will Arnett hosted with deadpan wit—“You might know me from my storied film career”—the night underscored Hollywood’s dual role: entertaining the world while honoring those who heal it. Parton’s virtual glow, amid personal trials, encapsulated this ethos—proving that true legends shine brightest when lifting others.
