In 1991, Dolly starred as country singer Thiola Rayfield alongside Gary Busey as her abusive manager in the 1991 made-for-television film "Wild Texas Wind." The film tells the story of Thiola’s country music band’s rise to fame as a murder mystery unravels.
Dolly co-wrote the film as well as several of its songs. Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson appears along with Willie Nelson who makes a cameo.
In 1990, ABC aired Dolly’s holiday special "Home For Christmas," occasionally referred to as "Dolly Parton: Christmas at Home." The movie accompanied the release of Dolly’s Christmas album of the same name and features Dolly singing Christmas classics. In the movie, Dolly returns to Sevierville, TN, and visits many people and places she loves.
“I used my mom and dad, my brothers and sisters, my aunts and uncles, and my nieces and nephews. We have things like cookie baking, and a hayride, and we just have some wonderful times that I really think people are going to enjoy.”
Dolly takes viewers to her family home, her church, a home for the elderly and Dollywood.
Dolly starred as Truvy Jones in the 1989 film, "Steel Magnolias." The all-star cast also included Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah. Dolly talked about why she chose the role,
"Since I'm not an actress, and don't exactly know what all that even means - the technical end of it - I took on Truvy 'cause I knew she was close enough to me, where I could play her real well.”
Olympia Dukakis was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the cast and producers. "Steel Magnolias" shared this award with co-winner "Batman" starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson.
The 16th Annual People’s Choice Awards were held at Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA. The show aired on the CBS network.
In 1989, Dolly starred as Louisiana beauty shop owner Truvy Jones in the American comedy-drama "Steel Magnolias." The film adaption based on the 1987 play of the same name, tells the story of a group of close-knit women who bond through various family crises. As the title suggests, the main female characters can be as delicate as a magnolia tree and tough as steel.
The film earned a worldwide gross of nearly $100 million at the box office.
Julia Roberts was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. Sally Field was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. The enduring film also starred Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, and Daryl Hannah.
Dolly wins People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Show for herr self-titled show, "Dolly," which began airing on ABC in September of 1987.
Dolly talked about what motivated her to try the variety show,
''I convinced them that I should be on television. I felt I was sitting around waiting for good scripts for the movies; I wasn't on the road (doing concerts) so much. So I just decided now was the time for me to do a TV show.”
The other nominees were Lisa Bonet in "A Different World" and Linda Hamilton in "Beauty and the Beast." In her acceptance speech Dolly said,
“I want to thank all of you very much for voting for me as your favorite because it’s very much an honor to be nominated for any of these awards and it’s really a great honor to win, especially when the people vote for you.”
That same night, Dolly received the award for All-Around Female Entertainer presented to her by Kenny Rogers.
The 14th Annual People's Choice Awards were telecast on CBS and hosted by Barbara Mandrell and Carl Reiner.
