Melinda Dillon

Person

Melinda Dillon

Acting October 13, 1939

Hope, Arkansas, USA

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, Abse…

IMDb

Known for

Popular titles

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

8.0 1999 TV Show
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

7.4 1977 Movie
Magnolia

Magnolia

7.7 1999 Movie
A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story

7.2 1983 Movie
Reign Over Me

Reign Over Me

7.2 2007 Movie
Bonanza

Bonanza

7.5 1959 TV Show
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

7.5 1995 Movie
Harry and the Hendersons

Harry and the Hendersons

6.1 1987 Movie
The Muppet Movie

The Muppet Movie

7.2 1979 Movie
The Jeffersons

The Jeffersons

7.3 1975 TV Show
The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

7.7 1985 TV Show
Judging Amy

Judging Amy

7.5 1999 TV Show

Photos

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Biography

A closer look

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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.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 2019
    Hal

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  2. 2007
    Heartland

    TV show Janet Jacobs

  3. 2007
    Reign Over Me

    Movie Ginger Timpleman

  4. 2005
    Adam & Steve

    Movie Dottie

  5. 2004
    Debating Robert Lee

    Movie Mrs. Lee

  6. 2003
    The Lyon's Den

    TV show

  7. 2003
    A Painted House

    Movie Gran Chandler

  8. 2002
    Cowboy Up

    Movie Rose Braxton

  9. 2001
    The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'

    Movie Self

  10. 1999
    Magnolia

    Movie Rose Gator

  11. 1999
    Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

    TV show Jenny Rogers

  12. 1999
    Judging Amy

    TV show Violet Loomis

  13. 1998
    The Effects of Magic

    Movie Mom

  14. 1997
    Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas

    Movie Mrs. Parker (archive footage)

  15. 1996
    Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story

    Movie Sister Aloysius

  16. 1995
    How to Make an American Quilt

    Movie Mrs. Darling

More credits
  1. 1995
    To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

    Movie Merna

  2. 1995
    Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge

    Movie Polly Judd

  3. 1994
    Sioux City

    Movie Leah Goldman

  4. 1994
    State of Emergency

    Movie Betty Anderson

  5. 1994
    Confessions: Two Faces of Evil

    Movie Carol Mothershed

  6. 1993
    Judgment Day: The John List Story

    Movie Eleanor

  7. 1992
    Picket Fences

    TV show Mrs. Klausner

  8. 1991
    The Prince of Tides

    Movie Savannah Wingo

  9. 1990
    Captain America

    Movie Mrs. Rogers

  10. 1989
    Staying Together

    Movie Eileen McDermott

  11. 1989
    Spontaneous Combustion

    Movie Nina

  12. 1989
    Nightbreaker

    Movie Paula Brown

  13. 1988
    Shattered Innocence

    Movie Sharon Anderson

  14. 1987
    Harry and the Hendersons

    Movie Nancy Henderson

  15. 1986
    Shattered Spirits

    Movie Joyce Mollencamp

  16. 1985
    The Twilight Zone

    TV show (segment "A Little Peace and Quiet")

  17. 1985
    Space

    TV show Rachel Mott

  18. 1984
    Songwriter

    Movie Honey Carder

  19. 1983
    Right of Way

    Movie Ruda Dwyer

  20. 1983
    A Christmas Story

    Movie Mother

  21. 1981
    Absence of Malice

    Movie Teresa Perrone

  22. 1981
    Hellinger's Law

    Movie Anne Gronouski

  23. 1981
    Fallen Angel

    Movie Sherry Phillips

  24. 1980
    The Shadow Box

    Movie Agnes