Who Is Dolly Parton's Best Friend Judy Ogle?

The following article includes brief mentions of sexual harassment and depression.

Dolly Parton sure has a long list of famous friends: Cher, Willie Nelson, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Loretta Lynn, Billy Ray Cyrus, and more. But before all of the glitz and glamour and popular pals, the singer-songwriter was in the Tennessee mountains, where she was raised with her 11 siblings and met who would end up being her best friend of nearly seven decades: Judy Ogle. In her 1994 autobiography "Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business," Parton wrote that their friendship was "wholesome, but exciting and fun," adding, "Thelma and Louise ain't got nothing on us."

Generally hidden from the public eye, Ogle has played a quintessential role in the "Islands in the Stream" singer's life and success. Supporting the superstar behind the scenes as she grew to international fame — both personally and professionally — Ogle has been Parton's confidant, assistant, has even helped her write song lyrics, and so much more. Meanwhile, the fellow Volunteer State native has lived her own full life traveling, serving in the Air Force, and making a lasting impact on the world without most of the public knowing her name! Just goes to show that behind every Parton, there's an Ogle.

So let's answer the question on everyone's mind: Who is Dolly Parton's best friend, Judy Ogle?

Dolly Parton has had a close-knit team of professionals helping her throughout her dynamic career: Her late manager was Sandy Gallin; her makeup and hair stylists for decades have been Cheryl Riddle and Bobbe Joy; her stylist, Steve Summers, has put her in some of her most iconic outfits; and so on. Many of those professionals have also become close friends of the remarkable businesswoman. Judy Ogle, however, was already a best friend that then became a professional employee. 

Starting in the '80s, Ogle was essentially Parton's everywoman, with the singer-songwriter noting in her autobiography, "Judy came to work with me as my assistant, my valet, hairdresser, makeup artist, everything she needed to be." Parton made clear that she trusted Ogle as much as she'd trust any family member. Not only was she helping Parton on set, but in the middle of the night when the "Jolene" hitmaker would gain songwriting inspiration, Ogle would be right there beside her. Once she moved to Los Angeles for work, Parton would call and ask if her childhood bestie would be open to driving all the way over from Tennessee to help her creative process — and Ogle would be by her side as soon as possible, staying as long as she needed to, helping her write, and reminding her to eat. 

"Writing is an intensely personal thing, best done alone. Being with Judy is better," Parton wrote. "It's like being along with somebody, if that makes sense."

Her famous best friend's level of glitz and glam eventually rubbed off on Judy Ogle when the two traveled to New York City in the 1960s. Although Dolly Parton was starring on "The Porter Wagoner Show" at this point, it was unlikely anyone in NYC would recognize her, since that channel wasn't broadcast on the East Coast. So the two set out on a girls' trip to explore the Big Apple and dress to the nines. "Judy had been much more plain until her days in the service," Parton wrote in her autobiography. "Now she had her hair teased up, painted her eyebrows nearly to her hairline, and wore tight skirts." 

Along with their jewelry and loud outfits was the protection they brought in their purses: .38-caliber handguns were with the country girls, just in case they ran into any trouble. The 20-somethings decided to have a little fun and attend an adult movie theater, but couldn't stand it, so they took off running from the venue. Once they were outside, a man mistook Parton for a sex worker and wouldn't leave her alone, which upset Parton, but left Ogle amused. After Parton pulled out her gun and scared the stranger off (using a line similar to the "rooster into a hen" quote from future film "9 to 5"), she turned to Ogle and snapped, "Look, you laugh one more time, and I'll shoot your nuts off too!" 

Undeterred by city life, Parton had her own NYC apartment she shared with Ogle by the '90s.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Like many best friends, Judy Ogle and Dolly Parton have protected and looked out for one another as much as they could. As revealed in "My Life and Other Unfinished Business," before Parton would even know she was hungry, Ogle became known to be at her side with a bowl of Jell-O — she would even screen calls when the singer was dealing with PMS. Ogle's general loving devotion to the country music star is something the Parton household has greatly appreciated. "Carl knows that when I'm with Judy, I'm well taken care of," she wrote of her husband. "Everybody thinks of her as part of the family."

That undying love has been reciprocated. Parton and Ogle go on what she called "spiritual journeys" to different locations, like the sea and mountains, for meditation and prayer. The "Here You Come Again" singer listens to her bestie's problems and then offers her a piece of scripture that could be of service. They've shared such a strong bond that, when one is struggling, the other feels that same pain.

For example, Parton dealt with depression while filming 1982's "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"; Ogle was experiencing a strain in her romantic relationship around the same time. While both felt alone, these BFFs eventually reconnected and remained joined at the hip. "She knows everything it's humanly possible to know about me," Parton explained in Stephen Miller's "Smart Blonde: The Life of Dolly Parton" (via Showbiz CheatSheet), adding, "She makes it possible for me not to need a psychiatrist."

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.

Food has always been an important part of Dolly Parton's life. The music star, who's famously partnered with Duncan Hines on a line of frosting and cake mixes, has also spoken openly about her struggles with weight and dieting. In 2013, she even took to Twitter to quip alongside a smiley emoticon, "My weaknesses have always been food and men — in that order." Known for her love of Southern cooking, from chicken and dumplings to potato salad, coleslaw, and fudge, Parton's Dollywood is filled with different kinds of eateries: Hickory House BBQ, Iron Horse Pizza, Showstreet Snacks, Market Square BIG SKILLET, and even one called Granny Ogle's Ham 'n' Beans.

The latter, as you may have guessed, is named in honor of Judy Ogle's mother and features some classic Southern comfort foods. But before patrons open the menu, they are greeted by the smiling face of Granny Ogle herself on the menu cover, followed by a brief bio about the restaurant's namesake: "Granny Ogle, a lifetime resident of Sevier County, was the mother of nine children: Lois, Wayne, Lucille, Ted, Rex, Judy, Roger, and Jo Anne." Parton is quoted at the end of the cover as having said, "Both Judy and I always went to Granny Ogle's anytime we were home because of her beans and cornbread." Thus, Granny Ogle's Ham 'n' Beans — where most meals are served with a side of cornbread — was born.

Although some of Dolly Parton and Judy Ogle's fans are arguably a bit too enthusiastic, one of their biggest supporters and a fellow country music star fittingly paid tribute to the duo's longtime friendship through song. Beloved drag queen and comedian Trixie Mattel's tune "Red Side of the Moon" references a woman named Judy, with lyrics like, "Judy's never mentioned in the papers / Judy's never noted in the news / Judy knew that loving her was safer / Loving from the red side of the moon."

In a 2018 interview with Adam Vitcavage, the "RuPaul's Drag Race" star revealed why she chose the name Judy. Vitcavage speculated it had to do with the LGBTQ+ slang "a good Judy," which derives from Judy Garland's character, Dorothy, from "The Wizard of Oz," and the subsequent expression "Friend of Dorothy" — but Mattel had a different queer icon in mind. "I wanted to write a song about how difficult it was and the sacrifice of someone who loved someone in the spotlight. ... I actually picked the name Judy because people are obsessed with the idea that Dolly Parton is a lesbian and in a relationship with her best friend Judy Ogle," she said. 

Mattel clarified, "I don't think that's true, but ... Imagine what it would be like for someone who is a real superstar like Dolly Parton. What would it be like to be with someone who is that famous, iconic, and loved?"