In 2015, Dolly Parton gave audiences a heartfelt look at her childhood with the made-for-TV movie Coat of Many Colors, inspired by her beloved song of the same name. The film quickly won over viewers and became popular enough to receive a sequel, Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, which premiered in 2016.
Both movies told the story of Dolly’s early years growing up with her large family in a small cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
The films focused on Dolly’s parents, Avie Lee and Lee Parton, portrayed by Jennifer Nettles and Ricky Schroder, as they faced financial struggles, family hardships, and the heartbreaking loss of a child while raising their growing family. Avie Lee relied heavily on her faith during difficult times, while Lee’s own faith developed throughout the two stories.
In real life, Dolly was the fourth of 12 children. Nine of the Parton children are represented in the two movies, although baby Larry, who tragically died only days after his birth, is not portrayed by an actor in the first film.
The young performers who played Dolly and her brothers and sisters brought the Parton family story to life and quickly became memorable to viewers. But what happened to those actors after the movies? Are they still acting today?
Here’s a look at where the young stars of Coat of Many Colors and Christmas of Many Colors are now.
Carson Meyer — Willadeene Parton
Carson Meyer made her acting debut as Willadeene Parton, Dolly’s oldest sister, in the original Coat of Many Colors. Following the film, she appeared in projects including Heartbeat, A Million Little Pieces, SPF-18, and Mrs. White Light.
Her most recent acting credit listed on IMDb is the 2020 drama Minyan.
Since stepping away from acting, Carson has built a career in the wellness and maternal-care space. She is the founder of C & The Moon, a non-toxic skincare brand. According to her biography on the company’s website, she attended New York University, where she studied alternative health and the connection between the mind and body.
Carson also works as a birth doula and has supported high-profile clients, including Mandy Moore and Gigi Hadid. She became a published author in 2025 with the release of Growing Together: Doula Wisdom & Holistic Practices for Pregnancy, Birth, & Early Motherhood.
Today, Carson is also a mother of two and continues to share glimpses of her life and work on social media.
Kelli Berglund — Willadeene Parton
Carson Meyer did not return as Willadeene for the sequel. Instead, the role was recast, with Kelli Berglund taking over as Dolly’s older sister in Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.
By that point, Berglund was already an established young actress. She became widely known for her role as Bree Davenport on the Disney XD series Lab Rats, which ran from 2012 through 2016.
Her career continued to grow after Christmas of Many Colors. She appeared in television shows including Now Apocalypse, The Night Shift, Animal Kingdom, and The Goldbergs.
She also became known for playing Crystal Tyler in the Starz wrestling drama Heels, appearing in 16 episodes between 2021 and 2023.
Kelli remains active in the entertainment industry and regularly shares career updates and personal moments with her large social media following. She has also been in a long-term relationship with musician Tyler Wilson, and the couple became engaged in 2024.
Parker Sack — David Parton
Parker Sack made his acting debut in Coat of Many Colors, where he played David Parton, the oldest Parton son. He returned to the role for the sequel as well.
Aside from a short project called Stephanie’s Story, the 2015 movie was one of his earliest major acting appearances.
Parker continued working in entertainment after the two Dolly Parton films, appearing in projects such as Tales, Queens, Dopesick, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, Loverun, Unstoppable, and The Wife Who Knew Too Much.
His IMDb credits also include the 2026 short film Untold Valor, in which he played Private First Class Hudson.
He continues to maintain a presence on social media, where fans can follow his career and personal updates.
Dylan Rowen — Coy “Denver” Parton
Dylan Rowen had already appeared in several smaller projects before landing the role of Dolly’s older brother Denver in Coat of Many Colors. He returned to play the character again in Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.
Between the two movies, Dylan appeared in short projects including Send in the Clowns and Airtises, as well as an episode of Homicide Hunter.
Following the sequel, he appeared in a 2017 episode of the country-music drama Nashville. His IMDb page also lists appearances in the short Savory Sacs in 2018 and an episode of Famously Afraid in 2019.
In recent years, Dylan appears to have shifted more of his attention toward music. He remains active on Instagram, where he shares updates with his followers.
Alyvia Alyn Lind — Dolly Parton
Alyvia Alyn Lind captured audiences as “Little Dolly” in both Coat of Many Colors movies. She was only eight years old when the first film premiered, yet her performance quickly made her one of the most recognizable young stars in the project.
Acting was already familiar territory for Alyvia. Her mother is actress Barbara Alyn Woods, while her father is producer John Lind. Her sisters, Emily and Natalie Alyn Lind, also pursued acting careers.
Alyvia began working professionally at a very young age. In 2011, she took on the role of Faith Newman on The Young and the Restless, remaining with the soap opera until 2021.
Since appearing as young Dolly, she has continued building an impressive résumé. Her television credits include leading roles in Daybreak, Chucky, The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Wayward. She has also appeared in movies including Overboard, Masquerade, and Walk. Ride. Rodeo.
Alyvia remains active in Hollywood and regularly shares career updates with her hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram.
She also shared a heartfelt tribute to Dolly following the country legend’s reported passing on August 25, 2026.
Blane Crockarell — Bobby Parton
Blane Crockarell made his acting debut in Coat of Many Colors, portraying Dolly’s younger brother Bobby. He returned for the sequel and once again played the character.
Although he has not appeared in as many productions as some of his former co-stars, Blane continued acting after the two television movies.
His later credits include an episode of The Resident and roles in films such as The Wretched, A Nashville Christmas Carol, Chaos Walking, and Autumn.
Blane has maintained a relatively quiet presence online. His Instagram account contains older photos and memories from his acting years, including moments connected to his time portraying Bobby Parton.
Farrah Mackenzie — Stella Parton
Farrah Mackenzie was born in 2005 and began acting as a child. One of her earliest appearances came in the 2011 short film The Heart’s Eye View.
Before taking on the role of Stella Parton in Coat of Many Colors, Farrah had already appeared in several television shows, short films, and other projects.
She also appeared in Alien Hunter, Stuck in the Middle, and Apartment 407 between the two Parton movies.
After Christmas of Many Colors, her career continued to expand. She appeared in films such as Logan Lucky, Please Stand By, and Lawless Range.
Farrah became particularly recognizable for her television roles in Utopia and United States of Al, appearing in eight episodes of the former and 29 episodes of the latter.
Now 20 years old, Farrah keeps a lower profile online, with her Instagram account set to private.
There is also a fun connection between the movie and real life: the real Stella Parton appears in both films. She played Corla Bass, a gossipy town market owner.
Hannah Goergen — Cassie Parton
Cassie Parton was not featured as a character in the first Coat of Many Colors movie. She was introduced in the sequel, Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, where she was played by Hannah Goergen.
The role marked Hannah’s acting debut.
She later appeared in an episode of Mr. Mercedes, followed by roles in Blockers and Student Teacher. Her IMDb page lists her most recent credit as “Young Friend” in the short film Always Forward.
Interestingly, the project also featured her brother, Sam Goergen.
Hannah has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, and her social media presence remains private.
Carter and Colby Zier — Randy Parton
Twin brothers Carter and Colby Zier shared the role of Randy Parton in Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.
Having twins share the same role is common in film and television, particularly when very young children are involved. It allows productions to work within restrictions concerning how long a young child can spend on set.
The Zier twins appeared in two additional projects, Manhunt and A Bad Moms Christmas, before seemingly stepping away from acting.
Their brief acting careers were enough to make them part of Dolly Parton’s onscreen family, however.
The first Coat of Many Colors movie also featured a baby, although the child was not credited. It is unclear whether that baby was intended to represent Randy or Cassie.
In real life, Randy Parton was born on December 15, 1953. Dolly’s younger brother Larry was born in 1955 and tragically died just four days after his birth.
After Larry’s death, the Parton family continued to grow. Dolly’s parents later welcomed twins Floyd and Frieda, followed by their youngest daughter, Rachel. None of those siblings were portrayed in the Coat of Many Colors movies.
A Look Back at the Young Cast
The Coat of Many Colors movies gave viewers an emotional look at Dolly Parton’s childhood and the family that shaped her. Many of the young actors who portrayed the Parton siblings went on to pursue acting, while others eventually moved into different careers or stepped away from the spotlight.
Alyvia Alyn Lind and Kelli Berglund continued to build successful acting careers, while Carson Meyer found a new path in wellness and maternal care. Others, including Parker Sack, Dylan Rowen, Blane Crockarell, Farrah Mackenzie, Hannah Goergen, and the Zier twins, followed different paths after their time in the Parton family story.
Years later, the movies remain a memorable part of Dolly Parton’s legacy, giving fans a rare dramatized glimpse into the humble beginnings of one of country music’s most beloved stars.