Why $7 Million Wasn’t Enough To Convince Dolly Parton To Take One Movie Role
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The late Dolly Parton was an accomplished singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and actress. Her acting career began in 1980 when she played Dolores Rhodes in the movie 9 to 5.
Parton went on to appear in other memorable movies, including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rhinestone, and Steel Magnolias. If things had gone a little differently, she also could have been known for playing a super villain.
Following Parton’s death on August 25th, footage from her 1982 interview with Entertainment Tonight resurfaced. During that interview, Parton shared she “might” play “a witch” character in a “continuation” of the Supergirl story. We now know that she was referring to what became the 1984 film Supergirl and the character Selena, a witch who is one of Supergirl’s greatest enemies.
The film was supposed to be shot in London for three months, which Parton was unsure about. She didn’t know if she wanted to be away from home for that long.
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But, as you may know, Parton never ended up playing Selena. Instead, when the movie was released in 1984, it was Bonnie & Clyde actress Faye Dunaway who stepped into the role.
Based on her 1982 interview, you’d think Parton turned down the role because of the filming schedule and location. But she shared the true reason behind her decision in a 1992 interview with The Chicago Tribune.
The Reason Why Dolly Parton Never Ended Up Playing Selena, Revealed
It was during her interview with The Chicago Tribune that Dolly Parton revealed she had been offered $7 million to play Selena in Supergirl. Although that was an obviously impressive paycheck, Parton said she didn’t want to play someone purely “evil,” like Selena.
“I will not play just an evil part,” she shared. “In fact, I got offered $7 million several years ago to play the part that Faye Dunaway played in ‘Supergirl.’ I was kind of insulted. I was impressed with the money, but I said, ‘Why are you asking me to play an evil witch? Do I come across as an evil witch to you?'”
Parton emphasized that she wasn’t trying to be a “goody-goody,” but she didn’t have any interest in playing an evil character. She wanted to focus on more uplifting roles and projects.
“I’m an entertainer more than I’m an actress, and I want to think that I’m entertaining people,” she added. “I just want to make people feel good.”
Parton was all about spreading joy to others. She was a devoted philanthropist who donated money toward disaster relief efforts and other charitable causes.
Parton also established the Imagination Library, an organization that provides free books to children from birth through age five. Since its founding in 1995, the Imagination Library has sent over 330 million books to kids in the U.S., the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, and Canada.
After Parton passed away, her family shared that in lieu of sending flowers, fans may make a donation to the Imagination Library in her memory. You can visit the organization’s official website here.
Rest in peace, Dolly Parton…
