Two of the stars of the iconic supernatural horror drama series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” have paid tribute to country music star Dolly Parton following her sad passing at the age of 80.
Parton founded her production company, Sandollar Productions (which later included Sandollar Television), in 1986 with her then-manager and business partner Sandy Gallin. Per Screen Rant, the company co-produced the original 1992 “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” movie (with Kuzui Enterprises) and then co-produced the television series (and its spin-off, “Angel”) alongside Mutant Enemy Productions, Kuzui Enterprises, and 20th Century Fox Television.
The music legend supported the show’s cast by sending gifts from afar and later became a huge fan of the franchise. She also spoke of being “very involved” on the business side of production, handling communications, attending some meetings, and providing vocal support. She said of the cast, “I was proud of them” (per Business Insider).
Now, Buffy Summers herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and her co-star James Marsters, who played the platinum blonde vampire Spike opposite Gellar, have taken to social media to pay their respects to the late Parton.
Being Part of Dolly Parton’s History Is ‘Everything’ to Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar took to her Instagram account to share her tribute to Dolly Parton with her five million followers.
Gellar shared a 31-second clip of Parton appearing as a guest on the “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” chat show.
In the clip, Cohen reads out a question from a viewer about Parton being an uncredited producer on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and asking her if she was a fan of the show.
Parton responded by saying that she thought “Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a wonderful little show.” She then explained that her Sandollar Productions company was a “small part” of the show and she was “very proud” of it.
Gellar’s caption on the post reads, “Just being a small part of the great history of @dollyparton is everything to me.”
One of Gellar’s followers commented with a notable fact, in the form of an intentional connection between Parton and the character of Buffy Summers. They wrote, “”Capricorn on a cusp of Aquarius” Buffy’s birthday was Dolly’s I remember😢❤️.” That is indeed true — both Buffy Summers and Dolly Parton were born on January 19.
Of course, Gellar wasn’t the only “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to pay tribute to Parton.
James Marsters Remembers ‘Wonderful Woman’ Dolly Parton
James Marsters, who played Spike — the evil vampire who would go on to become an ensouled ally of Buffy Summers — in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” also shared his thoughts on Dolly Parton’s passing on his Instagram account (in his case, with his 139,000 followers).
Marsters’ post includes a single black and white photograph of Parton looking beautiful in her younger days.
His caption on it reads, “I just heard that a wonderful woman has passed. Thank you Dolly for a lot of great music, your unflagging grace, and for your instrumental role in getting ‘Buffy’ made. I never had the pleasure of meeting you, but you changed my life.”
One of Marsters’ emotional followers commented, “It feels like we’ve lost so many wonderful souls this year😞 Dolly is an absolute icon – a true legend who brought so much light to the world 🤍🤍🤍.”
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is one of the many things the world has to thank Dolly Parton for. She is such a huge loss. May she rest in eternal peace.
