Dolly Parton’s Walk of Fame star restored with special butterfly tribute after vandalism

The Hollywood Historic Trust repaired the landmark, while fans left flowers and other tributes honoring the late country music icon
Dolly Parton's Hollywood Walk of Fame star was restored after vandals scratched her name off the iconic landmark (Getty Images)
Dolly Parton's Hollywood Walk of Fame star was restored after vandals scratched her name off the iconic landmark (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star has been restored after it was vandalized, with photos showing the star looking good as new on Friday, September 5.

Her name is now fully intact, while a turquoise butterfly has been placed over the center medallion and flowers and other tributes surround the star. The restoration comes shortly after Parton died at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.



Dolly Parton's Walk of Fame star gets butterfly tribute after vandalism

Someone scratched Parton's name off her Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Monday, shortly after her death at 80, according to CBS Los Angeles and NBC Los Angeles, prompting crews to begin restoring the defaced star in her honor.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Ana Martinez said, “A fan went to the star yesterday and reported on social that the star was vandalized with many scratches.”

She added, “From the photo she posted, it does appear the star was vandalized with scratches.” She also said, “The star had already been scheduled for repair due to cracks caused by wear and tear” before it was vandalized.

A wand with a star is placed over Dolly Parton's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A wand with a star was placed over Dolly Parton's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Los Angeles (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

The Hollywood Historic Trust, which maintains and repairs the Walk of Fame stars, carried out the repairs. Martinez said the first part of the repair had been completed and that the star would cure and be polished on Friday for fans to enjoy.

Photos obtained by TMZ on Friday showed the restored star with Parton's name fully intact, along with a turquoise butterfly over the center medallion and flowers and other tributes surrounding it.

She received her star on the Walk of Fame in 1985 during a dual ceremony with Sylvester Stallone. The pair had costarred in 1984's 'Rhinestone,' in which Parton played fictional country artist Jake Farris. In the film, Farris made a bet with her New York City venue manager that she could turn anyone into a country music star. 

FILE - Dolly Parton poses at the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Ceremony in New York, on Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)
Dolly Parton posed at the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Ceremony in New York on Oct. 13, 2022 (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

Dolly Parton's final health battle and musical legacy

Parton died on August 25. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video, identifying himself as the son of Cassie Parton and saying he was representing the Parton and Owens family. He said Parton had asked him years earlier to make the announcement, calling it “an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.”

Her team later announced that her death came shortly after she was diagnosed with cancer. Days before her death, Parton had also acknowledged her recent health decline while speaking to PEOPLE. She explained that she had been dealing with health issues that she had not paid attention to while caring for her husband, Carl.

Parton also reflected on previous health struggles and said she was still healing while continuing to work on projects she wanted to bring to life.

Flowers and signs are left outside Dolly Parton's office on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Flowers and signs were left outside Dolly Parton's office on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

With a career spanning decades, Parton became the best-selling female country music artist of all time, selling more than 160 million albums worldwide. Her debut album, 'Hello, I'm Dolly,' was released in 1967, followed by hits including 'I Will Always Love You,' '9 to 5' and 'Jolene.'

Her charitable work included the Imagination Library, which has provided books to American children from underserved communities and donated more than 200 million books worldwide since its founding in 1995. The organization began by focusing on Parton's hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, in the Smoky Mountains.

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