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Melinda Dillon

Actor

Melinda Dillon

Born October 13, 1939 in Hope, Arkansas, USADied January 9, 202338 films

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.

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The best way into Melinda Dillon's work
Magnolia posterFirst watchMagnolia19997.7as Rose GatorOn one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Close Encounters of the Third Kind poster7.4Close Encounters of the Third Kind1977A Christmas Story poster7.2A Christmas Story1983Reign Over Me poster7.2Reign Over Me2007To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar poster7.5To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar1995The Muppet Movie poster7.2The Muppet Movie1979Slap Shot poster6.8Slap Shot1977Harry and the Hendersons poster6.1Harry and the Hendersons1987The Prince of Tides poster6.6The Prince of Tides1991

Filmography

38 films as actor
  1. 2007Reign Over MeGinger Timpleman
  2. 2005Adam & SteveDottie
  3. 2004Debating Robert LeeMrs. Lee
  4. 2003A Painted HouseGran Chandler
  5. 2002Cowboy UpRose Braxton
  6. 1999MagnoliaRose Gator
  7. 1998The Effects of MagicMom
  8. 1996Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day StorySister Aloysius
  9. 1995How to Make an American QuiltMrs. Darling
  10. 1995To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie NewmarMerna
  11. 1995Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a BridgePolly Judd
  12. 1994Sioux CityLeah Goldman
  13. 1994State of EmergencyBetty Anderson
  14. 1994Confessions: Two Faces of EvilCarol Mothershed
  15. 1993Judgment Day: The John List StoryEleanor
  16. 1991The Prince of TidesSavannah Wingo
  17. 1990Captain AmericaMrs. Rogers
  18. 1989Staying TogetherEileen McDermott
  19. 1989Spontaneous CombustionNina
  20. 1989NightbreakerPaula Brown
  21. 1988Shattered InnocenceSharon Anderson
  22. 1987Harry and the HendersonsNancy Henderson
  23. 1986Shattered SpiritsJoyce Mollencamp
  24. 1984SongwriterHoney Carder
  25. 1983Right of WayRuda Dwyer
  26. 1983A Christmas StoryMother
  27. 1981Absence of MaliceTeresa Perrone
  28. 1981Hellinger's LawAnne Gronouski
  29. 1981Fallen AngelSherry Phillips
  30. 1980The Shadow BoxAgnes
  31. 1980Marriage Is Alive and WellJeannie
  32. 1979The Muppet MovieWoman with Balloon
  33. 1978F.I.S.T.Anna Zarinkas
  34. 1977Close Encounters of the Third KindJillian Guiler
  35. 1977EnigmaDora Herren
  36. 1977Slap ShotSuzanne Hanrahan
  37. 1976Bound for GloryMary / Memphis Sue
  38. 1969The April FoolsLeslie Hopkins