United Kingdom, Aug. 26 -- Reese Witherspoon has praised the late Dolly Parton for being a huge source of "encouragement and support" throughout her career.

The Legally Blonde actress took to Instagram hours after the country legend's family announced on Tuesday (25.08.26) that she had passed away at the age of 80, and recalled how the Jolene hitmaker helped inspire her Oscar-winning performance in 2005's Walk the Line.

Reese wrote on Instagram: "I count my lucky stars that I called Dolly my friend. When I was playing June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, she took me to dinner and told me stories of how June Carter charmed everyone in country music.

"Dolly gave me the courage to put my whole spirit into that performance and made me see ho...