Dolly Parton recalled in her 1994 autobiography, Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business, that director Herbert Ross told her she couldn’t act while filming the 1989 movie Steel Magnolias, according to reports by People. Parton, who played beauty salon owner Truvy Jones in the star-studded film alongside Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, and Olympia Dukakis, responded to the director by stating, according to her memoir, “I’m not an actress, I’m Dolly Parton. I’m a personality who has been hired to do this movie. You’re the director. It’s your job to make me look like I’m acting.”
Behind-the-Scenes Friction on the Steel Magnolias Set
The 1989 feature film focused on a tight-knit group of women supporting each other through life’s challenges. Behind the camera, however, production proved difficult for certain cast members. According to Parton’s account in People, Ross “didn’t particularly like me” and “resented” having to use Roberts.
Sally Field corroborated memories of friction during a 2024 interview with Vulture, noting that Ross was “very, very, very hard on” Roberts. At the time, Roberts was navigating the early stages of her career while filming her fourth credited movie role. Field stated that the rest of the cast deliberately stepped in to protect their young co-star, recalling that “we would all rally around Julia, because she was the baby.”
How the Cast Defended Young Star Julia Roberts
Field detailed how the ensemble cast shielded Roberts from the director’s harsh demeanor on set, describing the environment as “awful.” According to Vulture, Parton frequently used humor to defuse tension and confront Ross over his treatment of Roberts. Field remembered that Parton utilized “always with humour, but usually the most vulgar humour you ever heard so that it was like, you just literally don’t have a leg to stand on.” Despite the initial clashes with Ross, Parton noted in her autobiography that “by the end of the film, we had all made peace and become friends.”
Julia Roberts Shares the Life Lesson Learned From Dolly Parton
Years after the film’s release, Julia Roberts shared a memorable interaction with Parton during an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. While filming on a sweltering day in Louisiana, cast and crew members complained about the heat and used ice packs on their wrists. Roberts recalled asking Parton to voice her frustration about the weather, especially given her costume. “I mean, you’ve got a wig and the wool. Come on, it’s hot, sweat a little,” Roberts remembered telling her.
According to Roberts, Parton replied, “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 noted on the talk show that she took that advice to heart and has “never forgotten it.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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What role did Dolly Parton play in Steel Magnolias?
Dolly Parton played Truvy Jones, the owner of a local beauty salon, in the 1989 film. -
What did Sally Field say about director Herbert Ross?
According to Vulture, Sally Field stated that Ross was very hard on Julia Roberts during filming, prompting the rest of the cast to rally around and protect the young actress. -
What valuable lesson did Julia Roberts learn from Dolly Parton?
As shared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Roberts learned never to complain about the hardships of achieving her childhood dreams of wealth and fame.
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