Tributes to Dolly Parton have poured in from around the world following news of her death at 80. Politicians, celebrities, fellow entertainers, and fans have shared emotional memories of the country music icon, celebrating the remarkable legacy she leaves behind.
However, one tribute quickly drew criticism online.
Ricky Schroder, who portrayed Dolly Parton’s father in the television movies Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors and Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, shared a photo with Parton after her death.
Rather than keeping the message focused solely on memories of their time together, Schroder also mentioned political and social issues on which he said he disagreed with Parton.
In an Instagram post, Schroder wrote that he did not agree with Parton’s support for transgender people and COVID-19 vaccines, before adding that he “Loved her anyway.”
He concluded the message by thanking Parton for choosing him to play her “Movie Daddy.”
The wording quickly sparked a strong reaction from commenters, many of whom felt that Parton’s tribute should have remained focused on celebrating her life rather than highlighting their differences.
“Why bring up what you didn’t like?” one person questioned.
Another commenter wrote that Schroder should simply have honored Parton, while someone else argued that the post made the moment more about Schroder and politics than about the late singer.
Others described the decision to mention their disagreements as unnecessary and disrespectful.
Celebrity Reactions
The criticism also came from other well-known figures.
Katie Couric responded to the post on Threads with the brief reaction, “Ick,” while Boy George commented on Instagram, “Oh shut up.”
Actor Jay Huguley also questioned the wording, particularly Schroder’s statement that he “loved her anyway,” calling it a strange choice for a tribute.
Schroder, 56, worked with Parton in the two made-for-television movies, portraying a fictionalized version of her father, Robert Lee Parton. His role as Parton’s on-screen father gave the two actors a memorable connection despite their differences in personal views.
Parton’s Record of Support
Throughout her decades-long career, Parton became widely known not only for her music and entertainment work but also for philanthropy and charitable efforts.
Her Imagination Library has distributed free books to millions of children, while Parton also publicly supported LGBTQ+ equality and other causes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help support coronavirus research. The donation was connected to research that contributed to the development of the Moderna vaccine. Parton later received the vaccine herself and encouraged others to get vaccinated.
In a lighthearted video, she even adapted the lyrics of her famous song Jolene to promote vaccination, singing, “Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine,” while encouraging people not to hesitate.
Parton also addressed LGBTQ+ themes through her music. Her song “Travelin’ Thru,” written for the 2005 film Transamerica, became one example of her engagement with LGBTQ+ stories and audiences.
Following Parton’s death, her longtime friend and 9 to 5 co-star Jane Fonda also spoke directly to her LGBTQ+ fans, emphasizing the affection Parton had for them.
The controversy surrounding Schroder’s post ultimately became part of the broader conversation about how public figures choose to remember someone after their death — and whether personal disagreements should have a place in a public tribute.