Sally Field remembered shopping with Dolly Parton at Walmart during a conversation with Fox News Digital, recalling the late country music star as a friend she never stopped loving.
The Emmy winner spoke about her bond with Parton after giving a tribute at the 78th Annual Emmy Awards on Monday night. Field’s remarks came during an interview with Fox News Digital, where she opened up about the friendship that formed after the two starred together in “Steel Magnolias.”
The Walmart Trips
Field recalled the shopping trips that became a shared ritual between the two stars. She described the group dynamic as intense and intimate, comparing it to being in battle together.
“She was a friend. I admired her. I loved working with her. I never stopped loving her. There were moments where we tried to reach each other, but you know, this is a weird world I live in, this acting world where you do films, and you’re so bonded with this group of people, it’s like being in battle together,” Field said.
“It’s like being in battle of the bulge together, and you save each other’s lives, and you’ve got each other’s backs, and you spend 24/7 with each other, and we would go shopping together, all of us, and go to Walmart together,” she continued. “Can you imagine all of us coming into Walmart? And it never leaves your soul.”
Distance Between the Stars
Field acknowledged that distance made it difficult for her and Parton to see each other regularly. She said the two lived so far apart that they could never find a way to make their schedules work.
“Dolly and I live so far apart we can never make it ends meet, we could never find a way, but I never stopped feeling that way about her and the times we did reach out I think she felt that way about me. I loved her,” Field concluded.
The Steel Magnolias Bond
Parton and Field’s friendship began on the set of “Steel Magnolias.” The star-studded film also included Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis.
The movie brought the two stars together, and their connection developed through the shared experience of filming. Field said the closeness of working together created a bond that lasted beyond the project.
Parton’s Death and the Instagram Post
Parton died on Aug. 25, 2026 at the age of 80. Following her death, Field took to Instagram and shared a photo of the “Steel Magnolias” cast alongside a message honoring her former co-star.
“If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one. Dolly Parton. There will never be another. I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together. Forever. Rest in peace beautiful Dolly,” Field wrote at the time.
The Legacy of Parton
Field’s tribute at the Emmys and her conversation with Fox News Digital continue the process of remembering the late star.
Her description of Parton as an angel on earth speaks to how deeply she cared about the late star. The Walmart memory, in particular, offers a glimpse into the kind of simple, everyday connection that defined their relationship.
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug. 25, 2026 | Parton died at the age of 80 |
| Monday night | Field won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a limited or anthology series or movie |
Emmy Win Details
- Field received her fourth Emmy award
- The win was for Outstanding Lead Actress in a limited or anthology series or movie
- The role was Tova Sullivan in Netflix’s “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
- Field gave a tribute to Parton at the ceremony
The Walmart memory stood out as a particularly warm moment in Field’s account. She imagined the scene of all of them entering the store together, saying it “never leaves your soul.”
The image of two major stars walking through a crowded supermarket with a group of friends is a humanizing detail that underscores the nature of their relationship.
Field’s remarks suggest that the friendship between her and Parton was one of the constants in her life. Despite the distance, she said she never stopped feeling connected to her former co-star.
The fact that she mentioned reaching out to Parton when they could find a way shows that the connection remained strong even when circumstances made it difficult to maintain.
For anyone who followed their careers, these details add depth to a relationship that was already obvious to fans.
The Walmart trips were just one part of a friendship that touched countless lives.
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