Alex Carson
From afar, it often seems like the lives of celebrities are filled with constant drama. Talented musicians, actors, and models end up on the covers of tabloids for failed romances or even destroyed friendships. Many celebrities end up marrying several times throughout their lives, and their divorces are often messy and highly publicized. Friendships don’t usually make sensational headlines as much as juicy gossip over romantic troubles. There can be just as much drama when it comes to celebrity friendships.
Perhaps one reason celebrities often have a difficult time maintaining relationships is that they have a penchant for drama. It takes a kind of person to star in films, release hit albums, or make the cover of popular magazines. A lot of celebrities share similar personality traits, such as ambition or even arrogance. These personalities can often clash with one another, leading to disastrous relationships.
There are celebrities who are humble, gracious, and agreeable, it’s no secret that they are very cutthroat and egocentric. Even though these celebrities bask in the spotlight, their personal lives tend to be rather messy. Not only do these kinds of people have difficulty maintaining romantic relationships, but also lose touch with friends and family. And when two celebrities become friends, there’s no guarantee that friendship will last. Ambition and desire for attention can compete until the friendship is utterly destroyed. Some famous friendships, Katy Perry – Rihanna, Taylor Swift – Selena Gomez, and Jay-Z – Kanye West crumble to dust.
It seems like celebrities have the hardest time staying friends with one another, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, there are a few rare examples of beautiful celebrity friendships that have lasted decades. Perhaps the most iconic of these is the precious friendship between Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton. Their careers are different, with Jane working as an actress, model, and political activist, and Dolly working as a singer. The two have one of the most unbreakable friendships out there!
In today’s video, we’re going to take a look at the unusual circumstances of Jane Fonda & Dolly Parton’s friendship. As well as some of the amazing similarities between these two wonderful women. Make sure you stick around because we’re also going to reveal exactly how the two became such good friends.
How Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton Became Friends
Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton met on the set of the film 9 to 5. While the 1980 film was written by Patricia Resnick and directed by Colin Higgins, Jane Fonda produced the movie. In the earlier stages of production, Jane Fonda began thinking about who to cast. During a car ride home, she turned on the radio and heard Dolly Parton’s song, “Two Doors Down,” playing. Fonda was hit by a burst of inspiration. She immediately knew that she wanted to star alongside Dolly Parton, and asked her to consider joining the film. Even though Parton had never acted in a film before, Fonda knew she would be perfect for the role.
Dolly Parton was uncertain at first about whether or not she wanted to join. She finally agreed, but only on the condition that she was allowed to write the film’s theme song. Fonda heartily agreed, and before long, Parton had written the iconic song “9 to 5.” The film was a smashing success, and even sparked a television show. The three starring women, Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, and Lily Tomlin all bonded during the making of the film and television series, sparking a long friendship. However, while the three all get along well even today, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda are absolutely unshakeable.
The Two Are Very Different
Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda make an incredibly unlikely duo. After all, they’re very different from one another. Dolly Parton is a legendary country singer who didn’t begin her career as an actor until 1980. Jane Fonda, however, got her start as a model before branching out into acting and political activism. Jane Fonda is especially concerned about environmentalism, and has been part of many protests concerning climate change. In fact, she’s even been arrested at several protests.
Dolly Parton applauds and respects Jane Fonda’s work protesting oil development and environmentalism. However, she’s expressed that, while she thinks Jane Fonda’s work is powerful, she’d never join a protest or march herself. Seeing how passionate Fonda is about her political work, you’d think this key difference would drive a rift between the two women. However, the two actually think their differences bring them even closer. Fonda and Parton have both explained on several occasions that they have a lot to learn from one another. Accepting and respecting differences is a great sign of maturity, and the two have never let these differences get in the way of their friendship.
Jane Fonda Was a Back-Up Singer for One of Dolly’s Performances
Dolly Parton took her first step towards the life of an actor when Jane Fonda asked her to join the set of 9 to 5. Jane Fonda, however, had no experience in Dolly Parton’s line of work: music. Until, that is, she joined Dolly Parton as a backup singer in a certain performance. Dolly Parton invited Fonda to join her onstage at the Grand Ole Opry, a legendary country music performance center located in Nashville. Afterwards, the two spent a wild and drunken night together, further solidifying their friendship.
Even though Jane Fonda didn’t have a whole lot of singing experience, the two were such close friends that Dolly was delighted to have her perform alongside her. It just goes to show how deep their bond of friendship truly runs. Make sure you stick around until the very end, because we’re also going to reveal how Jane Fonda burst into tears when asked to describe the depth of her feelings for Dolly Parton! And if you’re enjoying this video so far, please take a moment to like this video, and don’t forget to subscribe to Facts Verse for more!
They Both Share a Love of Charity
Even though Dolly Parton doesn’t necessarily take it upon herself to go to protests and marches, she loves to help others in her own special way. She founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, through which she supports charitable and philanthropic efforts. Some of her charity efforts include promoting literacy among children, bringing awareness towards HIV/AIDS research, and donating one million dollars towards COVID-19 vaccination research! Dolly Parton has remained a huge inspiration to others for decades due to her efforts to help others.
In this way, Parton and Fonda are very much alike. Not only does Jane Fonda work hard as a political activist, but she also does her own fair share of philanthropy. She donates heavily towards charities promoting reproductive education and health, youth education, the arts, and the environment. Furthermore, she also established the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential. Even though Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton are different in a lot of ways, they both share kind hearts and a deep love for helping others.
Jane Fonda Defended Dolly Parton During the Emmy Awards
In 2017, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Jane Fonda were all nominated for Emmy Awards, and together, they presented the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting ACtor in a Limited Series or Movie. During the presentation, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda both used the opportunity to bring awareness towards political events, particularly surrounding one of their former boss, Franklin J. Hart, who was both bigoted and sexist towards them. Dolly Parton, however, made no such comments. Afterwards, some began to criticize Parton for not using her platform to speak out politically, as well, but Jane Fonda wouldn’t have it.
She explained that, while she and Lily Tomlin both wanted to take the opportunity to declare some important things on their mind, they didn’t expect Dolly Parton to do the same. Even though Fonda took a different approach to the presentation, she appreciated and respected Parton’s decision to make light jokes instead.
Jane Fonda’s Tearful Discussion of Her Friendship With Dolly
The 2020 documentary about Dolly Parton, called Biography: Dolly, featured a personal interview with Jane Fonda herself. The actress and political activist was reduced to tears when thinking about her deep friendship with Dolly, recalling just how kind-hearted the iconic musical artist is.
In one part of the interview, she tearfully stated, “Through her songs she opens her arms wide and embraces such a broad swath of people that don’t always feel seen, and it’s why people love her.” Even though Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton are very different from one another, it’s clear just how deep their love for each other truly runs. The two have been friends for over 40 years, and it’s clear their friendship will last much longer. Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda have been close friends for decades, despite their many differences. Were you more surprised to learn that their political differences actually bring them closer, or that Dolly Parton let Jane Fonda sing backup during one of her performances? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to Facts Verse for more!
