Dolly Parton is mourning her co-star and longtime friend Dabney Coleman. “Dabney was a great actor and became a dear friend,” the country music star wrote on Instagram . “He taught me so much when I was doing my first movie, 9 to 5.
” The pair met while filming the 1980s classic, which also starred Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Their characters work together to take revenge on their sexist, authoritarian boss played by Coleman. Parton sang the title song and helped adapt the story into a stage musical that premiered in 2009.
“He was funny, deep and smart,” Parton continued. “We remained friends through the years and I will miss him greatly as many people will. Love, Dolly.
” Tomlin also shared her condolences, posting a photo from the set of “9 to 5” that showed the comedian in a Snow White costume kneeling next to Coleman. Despite declaring that he had “ more fun playing bad guys” and what he called the “rottenness” of his “9 to 5” character, Coleman was adored by his castmates. “We just loved him,” Tomlin wrote.
Coleman’s death was confirmed by his daughter, who wrote that he died “peacefully and exquisitely” at home last week. He was 92. “My father crafted his time here on Earth with a curious mind, a generous heart and a soul on fire with passion, desire and humor that tickled the funny bone of humanity,” she said in a statement obtained by The Times .
“As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, exce.
