Did You Know Jane Fonda Once Sang Backing Vocals For Dolly Parton At The Opry?

It’s been forty years since the 1980 American comedy film 9 to 5 made its theatrical debut – bringing together actresses Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton, along with Lily Tomlin. Still, their strong friendship never ceases to amaze everyone.

Recent news confirmed that the country music living legend would be making a cameo in the season finale of Grace and Frankie – a Netflix comedy series which stars no other than Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. This is, without a doubt, the biggest reunion we’ve all been waiting for!

When Tomlin and Fonda once dropped by The Late Late Show with James Corden, the two revealed their experience working with the country queen. Fonda, for instance, recalled her fondest memory with Parton. And it was actually going on a Nashville tour with the country superstar – starting the trip off by singing at the most prestigious stage, the Grand Ole Opry, no less.

Fonda sang backup for Parton, and the audience did not have the slightest idea that she was a Hollywood royalty. But the most bizarre thing happened next.

After struggling to recollect her thoughts, Fonda went on narrating her Music City getaway. Apparently, when they went on to Parton’s tour bus, the singer brought Fonda “at her cousin’s still in the Ozarks because she wanted me to know what really good white lightning was.”

Much to Tomlin and Corden’s confusion, Fonda explained that it was a moonshine – homemade, unaged whiskey – filtered one time for more goodness. It was so good that Fonda plugged her thumb in the jug and chugged it down without noticing that she’s already drunk.

The funny thing was that she got drunk for ten days without knowing until they got home. Parton’s husband – Carl Thomas Dean – edited a short clip for their trip, and when Fonda looked at it, it was only then she realized she had no idea how drunk she was.

Indeed, their bond is one of the tightest in the entertainment industry. The 9 to 5‘s release marked its 40th anniversary last December 2020. The film sparked a massive level of pop-cultural recognition for the actresses and, of course, a sincere friendship and professional partnership, especially to Fonda and Parton.