Side-By-Side Pics Show How The Stars Of 9 To 5 Evolved Over The Years

Although it premiered back in 1980, fans still gush over Dolly Parton's acting debut in the women empowerment comedy "9 to 5." Despite being new to the big screen, the country music icon held her own alongside veteran actors Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The film struck a chord with groundbreaking spotlights on the workplace struggles many women faced, while Parton's Grammy-winning title song became a cultural hit of its own.

At the film's premiere, Parton, Fonda, and Tomlin looked radiant in 'fits that reflected their signature personal styles. Parton dazzled in a pink satin corseted gown with lace embroidery that amplified her country-glam aesthetic. Fonda looked regal in a shimmery black gown with statement earrings. Tomlin completed the trio in a polished black pantsuit topped with a bold red fur shawl and cowgirl boots.

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Packed with feminist themes celebrating womanhood, "9 to 5" also captivated audiences with Parton, Fonda, and Tomlin's memorable beauty and fashion throughout the film and its promo run. From the bold '80s looks they showcased— including some of Dolly Parton's most over-the-top wigs— to their enduring friendship and individual style evolutions, the trio delivered a fierce dose of girl power long before the Spice Girls made it a global phenomenon.

Dolly Parton's country-glam evolution continued for decades after "9 to 5" gave her career a major boost. With future leading roles in films like 1984's "Rhinestone" opposite Sylvester Stallone, and the women-powered cult classic "Steel Magnolias" in 1989, Parton proved her star power extended far beyond music. Her fashion became just as iconic, with the country legend rarely stepping out without full glam, figure-hugging silhouettes, platform heels, and plenty of razzle-dazzle.

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After establishing her country-girl aesthetic in the '70s with disco-inspired looks, Parton continued refining her signature style long after "9 to 5." "I never cared what other people did, and I never cared what other people said about what I wore. It was more important that I be comfortable in my own clothes and in my own self," she once said (via Vogue). One of her most memorable looks came at the 2006 Academy Awards, where she rocked a pink ruched gown with a dramatic skirt slit, proving her country-glam aesthetic only became more iconic with time. We think it was one of Dolly Parton's best-dressed awards show moments.

As a former fashion model turned Hollywood star, Jane Fonda has delivered one iconic look after another throughout her storied career. Standing at a statuesque 5 feet, 8 inches tall with striking features and a fearless sense of style, the "Barbarella" star has effortlessly embraced beauty trends across generations. Her bold activism and role in pioneering the aerobics craze of the 1980s only added to her cultural influence, while the buzz surrounding her after "9 to 5" put more eyes on Jane Fonda's stunning style evolution.

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In 2026, decades after the feminist box-office hit, Fonda attended the Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony in a stunning sequined black gown that felt like a modern homage to her look at the "9 to 5" premiere nearly 50 years earlier. Yet the fashion icon has long viewed her personal relationship with style much differently. "Truthfully, my relationship to fashion has always been strained," she told W Magazine in 2015.

A household name and familiar face, Lily Tomlin further cemented her Hollywood legacy following the success of "9 to 5." She continued landing memorable roles into the new millennium, including the hit series "Grace and Frankie," which she starred in alongside Jane Fonda from 2015 until 2022. She then returned to the big screen in 2023's "80 for Brady." Throughout it all, Tomlin made the red carpet her own with tailored looks, polished pants, and ever-evolving takes on her signature short haircut.

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Tomlin showcased her signature style evolution at the 2023 WORDTheatre Gala Fundraiser, where she was honored in a tailored white blazer layered over a button-up and black slacks. She completed the polished look with tinted glasses and a statement necklace. The screen star, who got her start in standup comedy, has maintained a relaxed approach to fashion throughout her career, and has remained true to her own fashion aesthetic.