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Melinda Dillon

Stage Actress / Television Actress / Film Actress | * 10/13/1939 († 83, 01/09/2023) | Hope, Arkansas (United States of America (USA))
6,904
Melinda Ruth Dillon (October 13, 1939 – January 9, 2023) was an American actress. She received a 1963 Tony Award nomination for her Broadway debut in the original production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her roles as Jillian Guiler in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Teresa Perrone in Absence of Malice (1981). She is well known for her role as Mother Parker in the holiday classic A Christmas Story (1983). Her other film roles include Bound for Glory (1976), Slap Shot (1977), F.I.S.T. (1978), The Muppet Movie (1979), Harry and the He..."> ()
Photo of Melinda Dillon

Melinda Rose Dillon (October 13, 1939 - January 9, 2023) was a twice Oscar nominated American actress. She was best known for her roles in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Absence of Malice and the holiday classic A Christmas Story.

Most frequent genres for this person: Drama | TV Movies | Comedies

Known for these Movies & Shows

After an encounter with UFOs, an electricity linesman feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen. ...

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

PG

1977 | 3.7/5 | 2h 15min
Science Fiction, Drama
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The comic mishaps and adventures of a young boy named Ralph, trying to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift for the 1940s. ...

A Christmas Story

PG

1983 | 3.6/5 | 1h 33min
Comedy, Kids & Family
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Returning from a hunting trip in the forest, the Henderson family's car hits an animal in the road. At first they fear it was a man, but when they examine the "body" they find it's a "bigfoot". They t ...

Harry and the Hendersons

PG

1987 | 3.1/5 | 1h 50min
Comedy, Kids & Family, Fantasy
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An epic mosaic of many interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness, and meaning in the San Fernando Valley. ...

Magnolia

R

1999 | 3.9/5 | 3h 9min
Drama
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Awards & Nominations for Melinda Dillon

Theatre World Award 2x Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play
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Movies with Melinda Dillon as Actress(40)

as Self (archive footage)2019 Hal
as Ginger Timpleman2007 Reign Over Me
as Dottie2005 Adam & Steve
as Mrs. Lee2004 Debating Robert Lee
as Gran Chandler2003 A Painted House
as Rose Braxton2002 Cowboy Up
as herself2001 The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
as Rose Gator1999 Magnolia
1998 The Effects of Magic
as Sister Aloysius1996 Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story
as Mrs. Darling1995 How to Make an American Quilt
as Polly Judd1995 Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge
as Merna1995 To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
as Leah Goldman1994 Sioux City
as Carol Mothershed1994 Confessions: Two Faces of Evil
as Betty Anderson1994 State of Emergency
as Eleanor1993 Judgment Day: The John List Story
as Savannah Wingo1991 The Prince of Tides
as Nina1990 Spontaneous Combustion
as Mrs. Rogers1990 Captain America
as Eileen McDermott1989 Staying Together
as Paula Brown1989 Nightbreaker
as Sharon Anderson1988 Shattered Innocence
as Nancy Henderson1987 Harry and the Hendersons
as Joyce Mollencamp1986 Shattered Spirits
as Honey Carder1984 Songwriter
as Mrs. Parker1983 A Christmas Story
as Ruda Dwyer1983 Right of Way
as Anne Gronouski1981 Hellinger's Law
as Teresa Perrone1981 Absence of Malice
as Sherry Phillips1981 Fallen Angel
as Agnes1980 The Shadow Box
as Jeannie1980 Marriage Is Alive and Well
as Woman with Balloon1979 The Muppet Movie
as Anna Zarinkas1978 F.I.S.T.
as Suzanne Hanrahan1977 Slap Shot
as Jillian Guiler1977 Close Encounters of the Third Kind
as Mary / Memphis Sue1976 Bound for Glory
as Leslie Hopkins1969 The April Fools
as Faye1959 The Cry of Jazz

TV Shows/Series with Melinda Dillon as Actress(10)

2007 Heartland
2003 The Lyon's Den
as Jenny Rogers1999 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Violet Loomis1999 Judging Amy
1985 The Twilight Zone
as Dr. Kris Lassiter1978 The Critical List
1977 CHiPs
1975 The Jeffersons
as Jeannie Birch1961 The Defenders
as Gran Chandler1951 Hallmark Hall of Fame

Full Name: Melinda Dillon
Born: Friday, 10/13 1939 (October) in Hope, Arkansas (United States of America (USA))
Died: Monday, 01/09 2023 (January) in Los Angeles (aged: 83)
Zodiac sign: Libra (Chinese zodiac sign: Rabbit)
Languages: English (EN)
Educated at: Art Institute of Chicago, Hyde Park Academy High School
Spouses (current/former): Richard Libertini
Melinda Dillon frequently works together with these people:
Maurice Evans (11x, Actor)
Julie Harris (10x, Actress)
Lou Martini Jr. (8x, Actor)
Martin Balsam (7x, Actor)
Ellen Burstyn (7x, Actress)
Murray Hamilton (7x, Actor)
Richard Thomas (7x, Actor)
George Rose (7x, Actor)
John Doman (6x, Actor)
Lamont Johnson (6x, Crew)
Sam Wanamaker (6x, Actor)
William Dear (5x, Crew)
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WatchPlayStream ID: PEOPLE:3929, Added: 03/23/2018, Last updated: 03/28/2024