When Danica McKellar reflected on her time working with Dolly Parton, she painted a picture of a woman whose dedication and compassion left a lasting imprint on everyone she met. McKellar, who first connected with Parton through the singer’s Imagination Library program, told Fox News Digital that Parton would often sleep just three to five hours each night, yet still rise early to handle her own hair, makeup, and even her wig.
Relentless dedication on set
“She told me she only slept three to five hours a night. She was always dreaming stuff up and just busy. She’d sleep on her big travel bus if she was traveling and doing things, and wake up early in the morning,” McKellar recalled. “She did her own hair and makeup, her own wig and her own makeup. And she’d get to work.”
That work ethic extended beyond personal grooming. Parton was known for rehearsing extensively, a habit that McKellar admired and tried to emulate. “She wanted to rehearse a lot and I was like, ‘I would love to rehearse with you.’ I’d love to just be in her presence. She was incredible,” McKellar said.
A warm presence that lifted everyone
Beyond her professionalism, Parton’s warmth made a profound impact. McKellar described how the singer would walk onto a set and instantly ease tension. “She walked on the set and said, ‘Merry Christmas everybody,’ to the whole room and everyone just was charmed,” McKellar remembered. That simple greeting, she noted, set a tone of kindness that resonated with cast and crew alike.
McKellar also highlighted Parton’s commitment to literacy. The partnership began when Parton’s Imagination Library selected McKellar’s children’s book, Goodnight, Numbers, for inclusion in its nationwide reading program. Later, McKellar narrated the documentary The Library That Dolly Built and helped pitch the 2019 Hallmark movie Christmas at Dollywood, starring both women.
Legacy of kindness
Parton’s influence, according to McKellar, extends far beyond her music and business ventures. “Because she knew how to make everybody feel good about themselves,” McKellar said, “that’s what she taught me the most. And what I think is her message for the world, treat each other kindly. You have a choice. You have so much power, more power than you realize.”
Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, after a brief battle with cancer at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. Surrounded by loved ones, she left behind a legacy of music, philanthropy, and a timeless reminder to treat others with compassion.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
