Honestly, it’s hard to imagine a world where Dolly Parton isn't a massive movie star. But back in 1980, she was just "that country singer" trying to prove she could handle a script. The actors in 9 to 5 movie didn't just make a comedy; they accidentally started a revolution.
Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton. That's the holy trinity right there.
The Casting Gamble That Paid Off
Most people think this trio was a no-brainer. It wasn't. Jane Fonda was the one who actually got the ball rolling through her production company, IPC. She’d been doing some serious activist work with a group called "9to5," which was an actual organization of female office workers in Boston. She wanted to make a movie about their struggles, but she knew if it was too serious, nobody would show up.
She needed it to be funny.
So, she went after Lily Tomlin. Lily almost said no! She was exhausted from filming The Incredible Shrinking Woman and didn't think she had the energy for another big role. Then there was Dolly. Dolly had never acted in a film before. Fonda just had a hunch that Dolly’s songwriting—which is basically storytelling—meant she’d be a natural.
Why the Chemistry Worked
You've probably heard the story about Dolly showing up on set with the entire script memorized. Not just her lines. Everyone's lines. She thought that’s how movies worked. She figured you had to know the whole thing like a play.
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Lily and Jane were seasoned pros, and they reportedly got a huge kick out of Dolly’s "newbie" energy. This lack of ego is basically why the movie works. Usually, when you put three huge stars in one room, it’s a battle of the trailers. Here? They actually liked each other.
- Jane Fonda (Judy Bernly): The "new girl" and the audience's surrogate. She’s the recently divorced housewife forced into the shark tank of corporate America.
- Lily Tomlin (Violet Newstead): The veteran. She knows where the bodies are buried and is sick of being passed over for promotions by men she trained.
- Dolly Parton (Doralee Rhodes): The "backwoods Barbie" who everyone assumes is sleeping with the boss. Spoiler: She’s not, and she’s arguably the toughest one of the bunch.
The Villain We Loved to Hate
We have to talk about Dabney Coleman. He played Franklin Hart Jr., the "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot." He passed away in May 2024 at 92, and man, did he leave a legacy.
The studio actually fought his casting. They wanted a bigger "movie star" like Steve Martin or Richard Dreyfuss. But Coleman had this specific brand of smarmy, mustache-twirling arrogance that was perfect. He made you want to see him strapped to a garage door opener.
Beyond the Main Stars: The Supporting Actors in 9 to 5 Movie
While the big three get the posters, the supporting cast is what makes the office feel real.
Elizabeth Wilson as Roz Keith
Roz is the office snitch. She’s obsessed with Mr. Hart and spends her time hiding in bathroom stalls to overhear gossip. Wilson played her with such a desperate, sycophantic energy that you almost feel bad for her. Almost.
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Sterling Hayden as Russell Tinsworthy
The chairman of the board. He only shows up at the end, but his character represents the "old guard" that finally recognizes the women's efficiency.
Marian Mercer as Missy Hart
She plays Hart’s oblivious, sweet-natured wife. Her character is a great foil to the chaos happening at the office, providing that extra layer of irony to Hart’s supposed "family man" persona.
What Really Happened With the Sequel?
You've probably seen the headlines over the last few years. "9 to 5 Sequel in Development!" "The Trio Returns!"
Kinda. Sorta. Not really.
For a long time, there was a script in the works involving Rashida Jones. The idea was to have a new generation of women facing modern office problems—think "reply all" nightmares and Zoom fatigue—with the original trio acting as mentors.
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In late 2019, Dolly herself confirmed the project was dead. The script just wasn't right. As of 2026, the focus has shifted. Jennifer Aniston’s production company, Echo Films, is working on a remake (not a sequel) with a script by Diablo Cody.
Dolly recently told the press she isn't planning to star in the remake. She’s 79 now, and she joked that she doesn't want to be on screen next to all those "young, fresh people." She did say she’d be happy to write new music for it, though.
The Legacy of the 1980 Cast
The movie grossed over $100 million in 1980 dollars. That’s insane for a female-led comedy at the time. It proved that women could carry a blockbuster.
But more than that, the actors in 9 to 5 movie remained friends. Jane and Lily famously went on to do seven seasons of Grace and Frankie on Netflix. They even had Dolly on for the series finale in 2022, which felt like a beautiful full-circle moment for fans who grew up with the movie.
If you want to see the "real" story, look up the 2022 documentary Still Working 9 to 5. It features the original cast talking about how little has actually changed regarding the gender pay gap. It’s a bit of a reality check.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Documentary: If you love the movie, Still Working 9 to 5 is a must-watch. It bridges the gap between the 1980 comedy and modern workplace politics.
- Look for the "Easter Eggs": Next time you watch, listen for the typewriter sound at the start of the theme song. That's actually Dolly Parton clicking her acrylic fingernails together. She "played" her nails on set to keep the beat.
- Check Out the TV Show: There was a 9 to 5 TV series that ran for five seasons in the 80s. It starred Rita Moreno and Dolly’s sister, Rachel Dennison. It’s a trip to see how they handled the same characters in a sitcom format.
- Follow the Remake: Keep an eye out for news on the Jennifer Aniston/Diablo Cody project. While the original cast might not be starring, their DNA is all over the production.
The original film is currently streaming on several platforms, and honestly, the humor holds up. The technology has changed—no more mimeograph machines—but the feeling of wanting to kidnap your boss? That’s universal.