Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon and advocate, is set to be honored with an Oscar — but not for her musical achievements. The 79-year-old singer-songwriter will receive the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award this November, recognizing her extraordinary contributions beyond the entertainment world.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors announced the special honor on Tuesday, highlighting Parton’s decades-long commitment to philanthropy. “Parton will be recognized for her decades-long humanitarian efforts,” the Academy stated, underscoring the impact of her work.
While Parton is no stranger to Oscar nominations — having been nominated twice in the Best Original Song category, in 1981 and 2006 — she has never taken home the statuette. This honorary award, however, celebrates a different kind of legacy.
At the heart of Parton’s humanitarian work is the Dollywood Foundation, which she founded to uplift and empower communities. One of her most remarkable initiatives is the “Imagination Library,” a literacy program launched in 1995 that has gifted over 284 million books to children worldwide, fostering a love for reading and learning from an early age.
This year’s honorary Oscar ceremony will also pay tribute to other entertainment luminaries. Actor Tom Cruise, choreographer Debbie Allen, and production designer Wynn Thomas will receive honorary Oscars alongside Parton in a star-studded event in Hollywood.
For Dolly Parton, whose influence spans music, film, and philanthropy, this Oscar is a fitting recognition of a lifetime dedicated to making a positive difference in the world — one book and one song at a time.
