Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Vandalized Days After Her Death, Replacement Set to Debut Friday

Dolly Parton’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was found covered in scratches, including damage across her name, in the days following her death. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce confirmed the vandalism and said a new star, whose installation had already been scheduled before the incident, will be ready for public viewing on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Parton died on August 25, 2026, in Nashville at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Fans quickly began gathering at her Walk of Fame star, leaving flowers, candles and handwritten notes, turning the spot into an informal memorial before the vandalism was discovered.

• Parton received her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1985 during a ceremony alongside Sylvester Stallone, her co-star in the 1984 film “Rhinestone.”
• The original star already had cracks and weather-related wear, prompting the Hollywood Historic Trust to schedule a repair before the vandalism occurred.
• Crews were photographed installing a new star on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
• The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said it learned of the vandalism through a fan’s social media post.

How the Damage to Dolly Parton’s Star Was Discovered

Ana Martinez, a spokesperson for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said a visitor to the star reported on social media that it had been marked up with numerous scratches. Martinez said the photo the fan shared showed clear damage across the star’s surface.

A woman named Lore Corona said she captured video of the vandalism after arriving at the site with her daughters to leave flowers, only to find the star already damaged. “Somebody decided to do this about 10 minutes before we got here,” Corona said. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Corona said a custodian at the scene told her that a woman had kicked over candles left as part of the memorial and then used a broken piece of one to scratch the star.

Dolly Parton’s Star Was Already Scheduled for Repair

Before the vandalism was reported, Parton’s original star, installed in 1985, was already showing cracks and years of weather damage. Martinez said the star had previously been placed on a list for repair work by the Hollywood Historic Trust, the organization responsible for maintaining stars along the Walk of Fame, independent of the recent vandalism report.

The tributes fans had left at the site, including flowers, candles and cards, had to be cleared away so that crews could carry out the planned repair and replacement work.

Replacement Star Set for Friday Unveiling

The Hollywood Historic Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said in a joint statement that they are “proud to honor the legacy of Dolly Parton with a replacement of her star.” Crews were seen swapping in the new star on Tuesday, September 1, with the finished version expected to be polished and ready for fans to view on Friday, September 4, 2026.

NBC4 Los Angeles said it had contacted law enforcement to find out whether an investigation into the reported vandalism had been opened.

More Info

• Dolly Parton Star Hollywood Walk Of Fame To Be Replaced Following Vandalism | people.com
• Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star getting repairs after it was reportedly vandalized | wral.com
• Dolly Parton’s Walk of Fame star vandalized after her death, repairs underway | wtov9.com
• Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Star vandalized days after her death | hola.com
• Dolly Parton’s Walk of Fame Star to be Replaced After Vandalism | mynewsla.com