Happy Birthday Dolly

No wonder Parton felt the need to stand out: shes the fourth of twelve kids! Her family was very poor, which shes never flinched from addressing in her music or interviews. She got her start early, though, recording her first album at 12 and performing at the Nashville Grand Ole Opry in 1959, introduced by Johnny Cash. I figured I couldnt be any poorer than Id been in my childhood, so when I went to Nashville I knew I wouldnt starve, she said on BBC, discussing her early career.

She made her debut in Nine to Five, with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, whod become her good friends. Parton was so new to film, she memorized the whole script. People rip me about that like I'm stupid, and I do feel stupid now! But I'd never seen a movie made. I thought you'd just have to learn the whole thing, because you have to play off other people. You don't just learn your own lines! I didn't know they shot out of sequence, she told The Boot.

Parton has written a lot of her songs. I'm a writer who sings. In fact, I think if I had to give up every part, if God forbid that should happen, hopefully it won't, but if somebody said you can only do one part of your whole career in the music business, what will it be? I would say I'll choose to write, she told Larry King. Shes also written a childrens book.

I really patterned my look, the country girls idea of glamor, on what they call the town tramp, Parton said on BBC. I thought she was the most beautiful thing Id ever seen. And shes never denied having plastic surgery. Even those legendary mammaries have been augmented, not to mention the various nips and tucks shes undergone over the years. Its a calculated choice, she says. I look like a woman but I think like a man, and in this world of business thats helped me a lot, because by the time they think I dont know whats going on, I done got the money and gone, she said in a 60 Minutes interview.

The pair of formidable ladies are teaming up to act in Joyful Noise, which is just entering production. The films about the revitalization of a Gospel choir.

To view some of Dolly Parton's greatest hits, check out our video tribute, A Salute to Dolly Parton: 5 Great Songs by the Backwoods Barbie.