Music icon Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 2025 Governors Awards Sunday at the Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, PEOPLE reported.
The Academy presented Parton with the award in recognition of her promotion of “human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities” in the entertainment industry. Parton, 79, did not attend the ceremony due to a scheduling conflict, but longtime friend and “9 to 5″ co-star Lily Tomlin accepted the statuette on her behalf.
In a pre-recorded video, Parton thanked the Academy for the honor and reflected on lessons from her upbringing in East Tennessee.
“We didn’t have much to share, but my mama and dad showed me, by example, that the more you give, the more blessings come your way,” Parton said. “And I have tried my whole life to live by their example. And I have been blessed more than I ever thought possible, like with this award tonight.”
Parton called receiving the award “a blessing of a lifetime” and said it inspired her to continue her charitable work.
“It makes me want to dream up new ways to help lift people up, and isn’t that what we’re supposed to be here for?” she said. “So, from my heart to yours, I truly thank you.”
According to PEOPLE, Parton has reduced her public appearances in recent months while dealing with health issues and mourning the death of her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March at 82.
At the event, the Academy also presented honorary awards to actor Tom Cruise, choreographer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas.
Academy honors Dolly Parton with humanitarian award:
