Dolly Parton to Receive Honorary Oscar for Lifetime of Humanitarian Work

In a moment that celebrates not only her musical and entertainment legacy but also her generous spirit, Dolly Parton will soon be honored with one of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ highest distinctions. The country music icon is set to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, one of the special honorary Oscars presented annually at the Governors Awards.

While Dolly Parton has previously been nominated twice for an Academy Award in the category of Best Original Song, this marks the first time she will take home an Oscar—not for her music or acting, but for her extraordinary philanthropic work.

Recognizing a Lifetime of Giving

The announcement came on Tuesday, June 17, when the Academy revealed its list of honorees for this year’s Governors Awards. Alongside Dolly Parton, the recipients include celebrated film actor and producer Tom Cruise, the multi-talented choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, and renowned production designer Wynn Thomas.

Dolly will be formally honored during the 16th Governors Awards ceremony, which will take place on November 16 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Ovation Hollywood. This annual event is traditionally held months before the main Oscars ceremony, with the 98th Academy Awards scheduled for March 15, 2026.

While footage from the Governors Awards is often incorporated into the main Academy Awards broadcast, the Governors Awards themselves stand as a separate and distinct recognition. These awards are chosen by the Academy’s Board of Governors and are considered a testament to recipients’ exceptional contributions to the industry and society.

The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: A Prestigious Honor

Named after Jean Hersholt, a Danish-American actor who helped establish the Motion Picture Relief Fund in 1939, the award is reserved for individuals whose humanitarian efforts have had a significant impact on the world. Today, the fund he helped create exists as the Motion Picture and Television Fund, offering support and medical care to those working behind the scenes in film and television.

According to the Academy, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated “an extraordinary commitment to humanitarian causes.” And in this regard, Dolly Parton is a fitting and deserving honoree.

Decades of Dedication to Philanthropy

Dolly Parton’s humanitarian work spans decades and touches countless lives. In its announcement, the Academy praised her as “an international icon whose remarkable career spans seven decades.” With 49 studio albums and over 100 million records sold globally, her musical achievements are only part of the story. Equally important is the legacy she is building through her charitable work.

At the heart of her philanthropic mission is the Dollywood Foundation, which she established in 1988 to uplift and inspire the children of East Tennessee, her home state. The Foundation started with a simple but profound goal: to encourage education and support young learners in a region often underserved by traditional resources.

Over the years, the Foundation has grown into a multifaceted organization, responsible for one of the most impactful literacy programs in the world.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: A Global Literacy Movement

Launched in 1995 in honor of her father, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library began as a local initiative to provide free books to children in Sevier County, Tennessee. Recognizing the barriers that many families face when it comes to accessing age-appropriate reading materials, Parton envisioned a program where children could receive a book in the mail each month, from birth until age five.

The program quickly gained traction and has since become the flagship initiative of the Dollywood Foundation. To date, the Imagination Library has distributed more than 285 million books to children across multiple countries.

By encouraging early literacy and a love of reading, Dolly’s initiative has made a lasting impact on children’s educational outcomes. It has also earned praise from educators, parents, and governments worldwide, who recognize the link between early reading and long-term academic success.

An Award That Goes Beyond Entertainment

What makes the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award particularly significant is that it recognizes contributions outside of an artist’s creative work. For Dolly Parton, it affirms her belief that success should be shared, and that influence should be used for good.

In addition to her focus on education and literacy, Parton has also contributed millions of dollars to medical research and disaster relief. She famously donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2020, which helped fund research leading to the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Her quick and generous response to communities affected by wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters has further underscored her reputation as a compassionate and active philanthropist.

Looking Ahead to the Ceremony

Dolly Parton is expected to attend the Governors Awards ceremony this November, where she will be celebrated not only for her creative genius but also for her enduring humanitarian spirit. As with past recipients of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, her moment in the spotlight will likely be replayed during the main Oscars ceremony in March, introducing her work to a global audience that may not yet know the full scope of her contributions.

For fans of Dolly Parton, the news comes as a proud acknowledgment of a life well lived and generously shared. And for the broader public, it serves as a reminder that true greatness isn’t just measured in albums sold or awards earned, but in the lives uplifted along the way.

In honoring Dolly Parton, the Academy isn’t just celebrating an artist—it’s recognizing a legacy of love, literacy, and selfless service.

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