Acting

Melinda Dillon

Born 1939-10-13 · Hope, Arkansas, USA

Died 2023-01-09

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.

Credits

Newest first

Hal
as Self (archive footage)
2019
Heartland
as Janet Jacobs
2007
Reign Over Me
as Ginger Timpleman
2007
Adam & Steve
as Dottie
2005
Debating Robert Lee
as Mrs. Lee
2004
The Lyon's Den
2003
A Painted House
as Gran Chandler
2003
Cowboy Up
as Rose Braxton
2002
The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
as Self
2001
Magnolia
as Rose Gator
1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Jenny Rogers
1999
Judging Amy
as Violet Loomis
1999
The Effects of Magic
as Mom
1998
Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas
as Mrs. Parker (archive footage)
1997
Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story
as Sister Aloysius
1996
How to Make an American Quilt
as Mrs. Darling
1995
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
as Merna
1995
Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge
as Polly Judd
1995
Sioux City
as Leah Goldman
1994
State of Emergency
as Betty Anderson
1994
Confessions: Two Faces of Evil
as Carol Mothershed
1994
Judgment Day: The John List Story
as Eleanor
1993
Picket Fences
as Mrs. Klausner
1992
The Prince of Tides
as Savannah Wingo
1991
Captain America
as Mrs. Rogers
1990
Staying Together
as Eileen McDermott
1989
Spontaneous Combustion
as Nina
1989
Nightbreaker
as Paula Brown
1989
Shattered Innocence
as Sharon Anderson
1988
Harry and the Hendersons
as Nancy Henderson
1987
Shattered Spirits
as Joyce Mollencamp
1986
The Twilight Zone
as (segment "A Little Peace and Quiet")
1985
Space
as Rachel Mott
1985
Songwriter
as Honey Carder
1984
Right of Way
as Ruda Dwyer
1983
A Christmas Story
as Mother
1983
Absence of Malice
as Teresa Perrone
1981
Hellinger's Law
as Anne Gronouski
1981
Fallen Angel
as Sherry Phillips
1981
The Shadow Box
as Agnes
1980
Marriage Is Alive and Well
as Jeannie
1980
The Muppet Movie
as Woman with Balloon
1979
The Critical List
as Dr. Kris Lassiter
1978
F.I.S.T.
as Anna Zarinkas
1978
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
as Jillian Guiler
1977
CHiPs
1977
Enigma
as Dora Herren
1977
Slap Shot
as Suzanne Hanrahan
1977
Bound for Glory
as Mary / Memphis Sue
1976
The Jeffersons
1975
The April Fools
as Leslie Hopkins
1969
The Defenders
as Jeannie Birch
1961
Bonanza
as Cissy Summers
1959
The Cry of Jazz
as Faye
1959
Hallmark Hall of Fame
as Gran Chandler
1951