Julia Roberts, the Oscar-winning actress known for Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich, once learned a lesson she never forgot from Dolly Parton. While shooting on Steel Magnolias movie set in Louisiana, Roberts complained about the intense summer heat. Parton’s simple response left a lasting impact on the young actress.
Dolly Parton died on Aug. 25, prompting Roberts to pay tribute to her former co-star. Roberts called Parton “a magical and joyous human” and said, “The sun has dimmed today.”
Julia Roberts recalled getting humbled by Dolly Parton while filming Steel Magnolias in brutal heat
A clip from their 1989 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show has resurfaced on TikTok, bringing attention to the memorable moment between the two after Dolly Parton’s death.
Roberts was only two years into her acting career when she worked with Parton on Steel Magnolias in 1989. During filming, the cast struggled with the Louisiana heat.
Roberts recalled complaining to Parton about the conditions while everyone was trying to cool down. “Everyone had ice on their wrist and was doing the whole thing, everyone was like, ‘It’s hot, can I get some water?’ And I finally just had to say, ‘Dolly, I mean, you’ve got a wig and the wool. Come on, it’s hot, sweat a little, you know? Just say ‘I’m hot,’ you know. ‘This is a drag!’ ”
Parton then gave Roberts a response that stayed with her for decades.
“And she said — I remember we were sitting on the porch, do you remember this? And she said to me, ‘When I was a little girl, I wanted to be famous and I wanted to be rich, and now I’m both those things. I’m not going to complain about it.’ ”
Roberts said the words immediately changed her attitude. She recalled, “I thought, ‘Okay, I’m going to be quiet for the rest of the day.’” She added that she still remembers Parton’s words whenever she starts to complain.
Parton and Roberts played a hairstylist and a young bride, respectively, in Steel Magnolias. The film also featured Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis.
The movie became a major early-career moment for Roberts and earned her her first Academy Award nomination.
