Don't Dream It, Be it: Dolly and Tim

It's been a tough week with the passing of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, both on August 25, and both at the age of 80. 

What can be said about Dolly that hasn't already been said? She was an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman. She was known as the Queen of Country. Dolly was born in a small cabin in Tennessee's Smoky Mountains and grew up in extreme poverty as the fourth of twelve children. Dolly was larger than life. 

Timothy James Curry was an actor on Broadway and film, and also a singer and a prolific voice-over performer. He started on Broadway, with a breakthrough in Hair, and later with film, where he played his most memorable role: Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tim was born in Cheshire, England, to a school secretary and a Royal Navy Chaplain. 

And while you may think these two had nothing in common, a woman born in an old cabin in Tennessee and a man born in Cheshire, England. They had more in common than you would think. 

Tim Curry's most memorable role as Dr. Frank N. Furter, was a "Sweet Transvestite from Transylvania." He was a pansexual who was obsessed with creating the perfect man. The doctor also made a few women envious as he looked fabulous wearing a corset and heels. Toward the finale, Dr. Frank N. Furter sang his motto, "Don't dream it. Be it." 

Dolly was an icon among the gay and drag queen communities, and she gave decades of advocacy and support to the LGBTQ community. Dolly fashioned her over-the-top look after a woman in her small community whom people called the town tramp. Dolly was once described as a "safe space wrapped in sequins." Dolly dreamt it and became it.