See What the Stars of the 1980 Classic ‘9 to 5’ Have Been Up to Since the Release
These feisty ladies sure were a hoot!
Ever fantasized about getting back at that power-hungry boss of yours? If so, then 9 to 5 is mandatory for your next movie night. Starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, this hilarious comedy film from 1980 tells the story of three co-workers fed up with the “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” that is their boss.
Here, take a look at the cast of 9 to 5 today, a girl power movie with a touch of mischief.
9 to 5: What is the movie about?
Judy (Jane Fonda) begins a new job as a secretary after recently separating from her husband. Her new colleague, Violet (Lily Tomlin) warns her of her new boss, Franklin Hart’s (Dabney Coleman), antics, as well as a rumor about his alleged affair with another colleague, Doralee (Dolly Parton). When Violet is passed up for a promotion, she shares the rumor with Doralee and the three women go out after work to drink.
In a marijuana induced haze, the women fantasize about ways they’d get their revenge on their boss, including shooting him, poisoning him, and slow-roasting him over a fire. The next day, Violet accidentally puts rat poison in his coffee and a misunderstanding leads her to believe she killed him. The three women meet at the hospital, and under the impression that he was poisoned, go to great lengths to prevent an autopsy from occurring.
When they learn he’s alive and well, Hart’s administrative assistant snitches when she overhears what the women had gotten up to. Hart attempts to blackmail Doralee into the affair he made up, but she instead hogties him and the women kidnap and imprison him as they attempt to come up with a way to keep him quiet. Learning that he’s been embezzling money and the proof they need will take weeks to arrive, they make a series of positive changes in the office while they restrain him for as long as possible. But how long can they keep up the ruse?
Cast of the 9 to 5 movie, then and now
Jane Fonda as Judy Bernly
Now 85-years-old, Jane Fonda hasn’t slowed down in the slightest since her role as Judy Bernly in the cult classic 9 to 5. During the 80s, following her success in the film, she continued to act, but found a new niche for herself: fitness. Her first exercise video, titled Jane Fonda’s Workout, was release in 1982 and paved the way for over 20 workout videos she would release over the years.
In 1991, she would retire from acting until 2005 when she starred in the comedy film Monster-in-Law alongside Jennifer Lopez. From there, she acted in a number of films including Peace, Love & Misunderstanding (2014), The Butler (2013) and This Is Where I Leave You (2014), before taking on one of her most celebrated roles in the Netflix sitcom, Grace and Frankie, alongside 9 to 5 co-star Lily Tomlin. Her recent works include Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023) and 80 for Brady (2023).
Lily Tomlin as Violet Newstead
After 9 to 5, Lily Tomlin played parts in movies like The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981) and All of Me (1984), and in 1994, she began voicing the beloved role of Ms. Frizzle in The Magic School Bus. Since then, she’s done an abundance of television work on series such as Murphy Brown, Will & Grace, The West Wing, Desperate Housewives, Damages, Eastbound & Down, Malibu Country, and one of her most recently celebrated, Grace & Frankie.
Dolly Parton as Doralee Rhodes
Before 9 to 5, Dolly had a wildy successful career in the music industry. After 9 to 5, her success continued — but on the screen as well. Films that followed include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Rhinestone (1984), Steel Magnolias (1989), Joyful Noise (2012) and many more. Meanwhile, her music career flourished as well.
After the film, Dolly went on to release some of her biggest hits such as “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers, “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That,” “Tennessee Homesick Blues” and “Yellow Roses.” Today, Dolly continues to enjoy success and just recently released her very first rock album, collaborating with some of the most established and successful musicians of the genre.
Dabney Coleman as Franklin Hart, Jr.
After his role as the menacing Franklin Hart in 9 to 5, Dabney Coleman enjoyed continued success and made appearances in films such as Tootsie (1982), WarGames (1983), You’ve Got Mail (1998) and Stuart Little (1999), to name a few. TV roles also came his way, with parts in series like Buffalo Bill, Fresno, and The Slap Maxwell Story, and more recently, in shows like Boardwalk Empire, Ray Donovan, NCIS and Yellowstone (Read about the ‘Yellowstone’ Hunks: Our 9 Favorite Cowboys, Ranked).
Unfortunately, Coleman passed away in his home in Santa Monica, California on May 16, 2024. His daughter, Quincy Coleman, told The Associated Press that he “took his last earthly breath peacefully and exquisitely.”
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